Interview with Stefan Wojcik

Tell me something about your background.

I went to Northcote High School but after VCE my parents moved to Geelong, so I went to Deakin University in 2018. But I was struggling finding what I really wanted to do and half-way through the year came to Melbourne and went part-time. Then came Covid and I feel that two years has been taken away from my life. Online teaching and learning was not for me. During this period I stayed in several student houses but deferred my studies and worked at various jobs. Now I want to live much closer to campus as I enter my second year at Melbourne University. I’m really ready to start and am very excited. I’m enrolled in a Bachelor of Science. At this stage, I’m thinking of eventually going into teaching. Before deferring from university I did a ‘breadth’ subject in ‘school experience’ and it inspired me. It was at Genazzano College in Kew and the VCE coordinator also inspired me and I’ve kept up the contact.

With your experience in so many student houses you were clearly in a position to make an informed decision in choosing Graduate House. Why did you choose it?

Having my own space – a single bedroom, kitchen and bathroom – and not having to share it with anyone. Living in shared houses can drive you up the wall at times! Being so close to campus – pretty much on campus – is also great; I can just walk to my classes. When I first heard about the possibility of living at Graduate House I was a bit confused because I’m not a graduate, but then someone explained to me that this is a new initiative. I was so happy.

How did you find out about Graduate House?

I saw it on realestate.com.au. If it hadn’t been there I wouldn’t even have thought it was a possibility because it’s called ‘Graduate House’. And now there’s a big banner outside saying it’s accepting undergraduates as well. Make it known!

What are your thoughts about meeting-up with both graduates and undergraduates?

I’ve had experience living with graduates in private student houses and they’ve always been super nice. Already, I’ve come to know a graduate student who is living on my floor and she is lovely. She has even cooked some food for me and given me good advice about my studies. To know someone who is friendly like this is amazing. Even though we live in separate apartments it’s good to know people are there to help and care. I’m sure that when more students settle-in I’ll get to know others as well.

What do you think are other attractions about living in a college that has both graduate and undergraduate students?

I feel that this building (in Leicester Street) offers more possibilities for meeting students than the apartment building I’m in Barry Street. It’s hard to socialise in a building that only has apartments. So I’m looking forward to coming here as well. I also think it’s good to live where people are committed to study. And for someone like me to have a one-bedroom apartment that I can afford is great; I don’t have to share anything!

I know that you’ve only been living here for a very short time, but can you suggest anything we can do to make the experience for undergraduates like you even better?

There needs to be many more people living here. There’s hardly anyone on my floor at this stage, but I guess it will change soon when the semester begins. Then there will be more life. It needs to be well advertised. It would be good if we could meetup once a month and we could perhaps arrange other activities. And I think that living in a place like this is a great way of learning about other cultures. The reception in this main building is amazing; they get on to everything quickly and are really helpful. But I think you need to stress more the link between the Barry Street apartments and this main building here. I’d like to come here for things as well: it’s a really cool place.