International students at La Trobe University share practical advice from their own experiences of adjusting to university life in a new country. From finding accommodation and exploring university services to making friends and getting involved in student activities, their tips highlight different ways international students can prepare for and engage with their university experience. Students from Colombia and China explain that making the most of university life can involve much more than simply attending classes.

Research the University Before You Arrive

Exploring the university’s official website before arrival can be a useful starting point for international students. La Trobe students recommend using university resources to find information about accommodation, employment-related opportunities, societies and other available services.

Before arriving, it can be useful to research:

•⁠  ⁠Accommodation

•⁠  ⁠Student services

•⁠  ⁠Clubs and societies

•⁠  ⁠Job-related information

•⁠  ⁠Campus resources

•⁠  ⁠Student activities

Understanding what is available before you arrive can help you prepare for the transition into a new university environment.

Research Accommodation Before Arriving

Finding suitable accommodation is one of the important areas international students should consider before travelling to university. Students recommend exploring housing options online and using accommodation resources provided through the university. Rather than focusing only on photographs or price, students should also understand the conditions attached to their accommodation before making a commitment.

Check Your Accommodation Contract Carefully

Students should read an accommodation contract carefully before signing it. In the video, the students highlight the importance of ensuring accommodation arrangements follow relevant Victorian tenancy laws. If you are unsure about accommodation you are considering, contacting the university before making a payment or completing a transaction can be useful. Relevant university support services may be able to provide guidance before you commit.

Be Active When Making Friends at University

University life can involve much more than travelling to campus only for classes. The students explain that becoming involved in campus activities can gradually make university feel like a place where you want to spend more time. Universities regularly organise different events and activities. Participating can provide opportunities to meet people and become a more active part of the student community.

Explore Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering can be a useful way to meet new people and become more involved in university life. La Trobe students describe volunteering as an experience that helped them make many friends while participating in enjoyable activities. It can also provide opportunities to work alongside students from different backgrounds and become more connected with the wider university community.

Work Through Language and Cultural Barriers

Language and cultural barriers can be part of the initial adjustment for some international students. One student explains that these were challenges they personally experienced after arriving at university. After becoming involved in activities and events, however, they began to feel much more confident. Regular interaction with the university community can help students become increasingly comfortable communicating in a new environment.

Join Clubs and Societies

La Trobe University’s student community provides different clubs, societies and activities that international students can explore. Joining groups connected to your interests can provide opportunities to meet people while participating in activities outside your academic programme.

Options mentioned by students include:

•⁠  ⁠Charity clubs

•⁠  ⁠Language activities

•⁠  ⁠Sports

•⁠  ⁠Student societies

•⁠  ⁠Volunteering opportunities

•⁠  ⁠University events

The range of activities means students can look for communities that reflect their own interests.

Become Part of the International Student Community

La Trobe students describe the university community as welcoming and open to international students. Taking part in clubs, societies, volunteering and campus events can help students develop social connections and become more comfortable within their new environment. For students who have recently moved to another country, these opportunities can be particularly useful for meeting people and gradually building a sense of community.

The advice shared by La Trobe University’s international students shows that adjusting to university can involve both preparation and active participation. Researching accommodation, checking contracts carefully, using university resources and becoming involved in clubs, societies, events and volunteering can all contribute to the wider international student experience.

How StudyNet Can Help?

StudyNet supports students planning to study at international universities, from exploring universities and programmes to navigating the application process. The StudyNet  team can help you research your study options and plan the next stages of your international education journey.

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