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LIVING AWAY FROM HOME? FOUR VIDEOS TO HELP YOU LEARN ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA
HEALTH SERVICE COSTS
DISCUSSING STIs
BE
IMPORTANCE OF SAFE SEX
SAFE S TAY
WELL
Watch the videos healthywa.wa.gov.au/internationalstudents
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SEX AND THE LAW
contents 4
Contributors
5
Editor’s Note
6
Director’s Note
14
about ISS 7
ISS Committee Members
8
Hello from Portfolio Directors
9
Timeline of ISS Sem 2 events
10
Multicultural Week
11
Mid- Autumn Feast
12
International Student Council
16
11
university life 13
The Transition
Life of an International Student
Navigating a World of Possibilities
Secrets to Excelling in Studies
14
James Walker
15
Ben Perry
16
Michael Li
17
Van Lin
18
Jia Lee
Campus Life
19
Get Involved
20
PSA
17
food 22
Harley’s Food Adventures
23
Rahul’s Goan Chicken recipe
24
Wine, Beer and Snacks Guide
19
23
travelling around western australia 25
Harley’s Exploring Adventures
26
Camping Adventures
28
Coco’s WA Adventures
things to do in perth 29
Flora and Fauna Exploration
30
Airplane Pilot
30
28
fun time 32
Aussie Slang for Newbies
33
Procrastination
34
Anthea’s CISA experience
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Editor // Bochao Zhang Deputy Editor // Suchi Kalia Designers // Elise de Haas // Xander Sinclair Photography // Alexia Zhang Contributors // Anthea Liu // Iylia Shukor // Rebecca Cham // Jacqueline Adenan // Choi Joshua Wong // James Walker // Ben Perry // Michael Li // Van Lin // Jia Lee // Milvert Ling // Rahul M S // Harley Ziwei Zhao // Linkar // Coco Rong // Benjamin Shu // Isabelle Yuen
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editor’s note Time flies too fast, and in the blink of an eye, a month’s holiday back in my home country over the winter break, comes to an end. That means the new semester has begun as we leave our hometowns, and go back to UWA and begin yet another tense learning period. Like Seth Godin said: “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.” As an international student, we don’t only deal with feeling homesick from leaving our families and friends behind, but are also faced with issues such as language barriers, cultural shock and the stressors of coping with the rigor of university life and assimilating to a new environment. UWA Student Guild International Student Service (ISS) is like a friend that you can trust, rely on, and will aim to always be there for you. In this semester’s Lighthouse we decided to take a different approach because we realized that we can do something more. The magazine will not only focus on entertainment content but also more on academic and campus life. We invited some outstanding international students to talk about their own learning experiences and skills, like how to prepare for tutorials and revision tips for exams. Whether you are a returner or a new student we hope you all can find some new ideas to improve your study life and make it easier on yourselves. As usual food and travel occupies an important place in this Lighthouse. But this time, you are not looking at your typical tourist traveler guides, but something more challenging. If you are an “Adventurous Sports enthusiast” , we have articles informing you about adventure sports such as freediving, scuba diving or even flying an airplane in Perth. You might think that we’re joking, but read on and find out about all these hidden gems in Western Australia. Once we choose to continue study at University, what we need to do is to make full use of our time and try our best to make the most of it. I only want to tell you, ‘Don’t waste time’, enjoy the life at UWA, because you’ll never get another quite like it. Welcome to UWA and have a wonderful semester!
bochao zhang
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director’s message Hi everyone, It’s lovely see that you are holding the new Lighthouse edition for semester 2! It is great to seeing your smiles again once you read through our Lighthouse magazine for semester 1. I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you who are starting your university journey and a warm welcome back to our returners. In semester 2, there are more international students coming to UWA. The ISS committee values your appreciation of UWA and we will try our best to deliver a good campus experience for you! As a new international student, you may not have heard about us before. The UWA Student Guild International Student Services or ISS, is a peak international student body representing all international students at UWA. We aim to provide you with support and help while organising various events specially catered for you to settle into your university life and increasing your social circle. We have many resources to help you find the right way to solve problems you might face during the course of your degree and we fight to deliver your voice to the UWA Guild and University. So keep an eye out for us on campus and through our social media platforms! In this Lighthouse edition, we will be providing more interesting articles written by fellow international students for you to learn some tips and tricks to get around university and now that you have a copy of it, you can take more time to read through it. It includes ISS events throughout the semester, academic support articles, and life tips for you. You see, being an international student is such a cool thing and we are lucky to have been given this chance to explore such different cultures and views. Living in a foreign country alone is not easy, and we do understand that. That’s why we are here to back each other up. It may always seem impossible until it’s done but we believe you can do it! All the very best for your university journey and hope to see you around ISS events! Sincerely,
anthea liu siyi
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ABOUT ISS
ISS committee Anthea Liu
ISS Director
Suchi Kalia
Secretary
Kai Hui
Treasurer
Iylia Shukor
Welfare and Education Director
Rebecca Cham
Social Director
Jacqueline Adenan
MCW Director
Carlyle D’Cruz
Welfare and Education Officer
Cassandra Choo
Social Secretary
Milvert Ling
Marketing Officer
Bochao Zhang
Lighthouse Editor
Bell Chavalwan
Welfare and Education OCM
Huong Dong
Welfare and Education OCM
Yaali Kumar
Welfare and Education OCM
Yaali Kumar
Welfare and Education OCM
Duong Nguyen
Social OCM
Mariya Senina
Social OCM
Minami Yoshimura
Social OCM
Shreya Jagdish
Social OCM
Haiyan Chen
Sponsorship OCM
Yanjia Song
Sponsorship OCM
Shahid Khan
General OCM
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hello from... the welfare & ed director The ISS Welfare and Education (IWE) department strives to provide a comprehensive range of assistance to you as an international student at UWA, ensuring seamless integration into your lif at UWA and continued support during your course of study. In the first semester, we distributed welfare packs containing information on mental health services and other useful resources. In Semester 2, we will focus on common healthrelated and academic issues faced by international students, such as plagiarism and referencing (which are the number one reason for academic misconduct amongst international students). Watch out for our workshops and resources on these subjects, and don’t hesitate to contact us at any point in time if you have issues!
Iylia shukor ISS Welfare and Education Director 2018
the social director The ISS Social Department aims to provide international students with opportunities to network with others through social events. In Semester 1, we ran events such as the International Student Welcome and “ISS Goes to Rottnest” trip, which had significant turnouts. Our calendar for Semester 2 includes more inclusive, fun and engaging on-campus events such as our first “ISS Carnival” with exciting games, a MasterChefstyle cooking competition, an external event such as paintball and an “International Get-together Night” at the end of the semester. By collaborating with the various colleges, faculties and clubs, we also hope to provide more opportunities for you to interact actively with domestic students. We look forward to seeing you at our events!
rebecca cham ISS Social Director 2018
IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES IN REGARDS TO YOUR EDUCATION OR WELFARE, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR WELFARE AND ED DIRECTOR, IYLIA AT ISS-EVENTS@GUILD.UWA.EDU.AU
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ABOUT ISS
ISS semester 2 events O WEEK 23 July - 28 July
WEEK 1 Launch of Outreach Program
Tuesday 31 July
WEEK 2 Club Carnival
Tuesday 7 August
WEEK 3 Women’s Week
13 August - 17 August
WEEK 4
WEEK 5 ISS Carnival + Lighthouse Launch
Tuesday 28 August
WEEK 6 Welfare Pack Release
WEEK 7 Potlick Competition
Tuesday 11 September
WEEK 8
STUDY BREAK Paintball
Monday 24 September
WEEK 9 Multicultural Week
1 - 5 October
WEEK 10 International Student Bash
Friday 10 October
WEEK 11
WEEK 12
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: CIRCUMSTANCES MAY CHANGE AND WE MAY RUN AN EVENT OR MOVE SOME OF THE EVENTS AROUND.
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multicultural week What better way to celebrate the diverse cultural background at UWA than a weeklong festival? Multicultural Week (‘MCW’) is a not-for-profit student-run celebration of international culture, organised by the MCW committee and UWA Student Guild, running from Monday 1st October to Friday 5th October. MCW aims to embrace differences, enrich knowledge, and enliven life of UWA’s community and beyond. Watch performances, listen to all kinds of speakers, and most importantly, sample foods from different cultures throughout the week!
cultural workshops MONDAY 1 OCTOBER - FRIDAY 5 OCTOBER Join various workshops that will be held throughout the week by our very own cultural clubs of UWA. Try your hand at all kinds of cultural activities and learn something new!
opening ceremony TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER Embrace the start of Multicultural Week with Opening Ceremony. Have lunch on Oak Lawn from 12pm-2pm to listen to our guest speakers’ talk on cultural diversity. It’ll be a festive afternoon coloured by the various the food stalls held by the different cultural clubs at UWA, and performances and activities to entertain you!
family feud: MCW edition WEDNESDAY 3 OCTOBER Family Feud is a long-time tradition of MCW! If you need a mid-week fun-night-out or want to enrich your knowledge on quirky culture facts, sign up for MCW’s Family Feud. Multiculturalism is about being united despite the differences in cultural background, so bring your ‘family’ and battle other ‘families’ to win awesome prizes!
spring feast THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER Spring Feast is the finale of Multicultural Week. Beginning in 1999, Spring Feast is UWA’s biggest night market where students, staffs and members of the public come together to celebrate our differences through our mutual love for food! You’ll be able to find food from all over the world, such as: satay, pizzas, and paellas. Take a journey around the world with the food, performances, and activity stations available throughout the night. We hear that the Silent Disco and Photo Booth may be coming back again this year! All students, staff, friends and family are invited to come along, so don’t forget to save the date and send your invites! Don’t forget to participate in our social media competition #CaptureMCW to win amazing prizes! All you have to do is take a photo of one of our cultural displays and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #capturemcw2018 and tag our page @ uwamulticulturalweek. We will update you with more details closer to the date, so like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/multiculturalweek) and follow us on Instagram (@uwamulticulturalweek) to keep updated on our upcoming events. We love getting new ideas! Send us a message through facebook if you have any suggestions for food trucks, mini-games, or activities you would like to see throughout the week. lighthouse // 10
ABOUT ISS
mid - autumn feast Mid-Autumn Feast (‘MAF’) was a huge success this year thanks to all participating UWA clubs: African Students Union, French Club, Italian Club, UWA Handball Club, Singapore Students’ Society, Malaysian Cultural Society, Palestinian Cultural Society, Indoss and JapSSoc. There was no shortage of foods from UWA French Club’s crepes, to African Students’ Union’s samosas, to JapSSoc’s yakisoba, and these were just some of the international foods available!
The performances were also on fire (not literally!). Thank you to our solo singers: Jessica Ho, Nikayla Moodley, Isaiah Chong, Sharin Attamimi, Mohammad Kamsani, and Junting Cheng, our solo performers, group performances: The Mockingbirds (UWA’s acapella group), and dance groups: Made in Asia and Dance UWA. If you did not get to experience MAF (or you just want to eat more!), save the date for Spring Feast on Thursday, 4th October in your calendar.
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international student council In Semester 1, ISS has been working to improve the support we provide to international students. Through social and welfare events, we have reached out to the UWA international student population. However, we realized that in order to improve and increase our reach to more international students, it was important to work hand in hand with other groups on campus to ensure that all international students are able to benefit from our services. In order to achieve these goals, ISS decided to restart the International Student Council (ISC). The purpose of the ISC is to reach out to as many international students on campus through clubs, FacSocs and colleges and get them more engaged in university activities, events and increasing connectivity for international students with other students on campus. ISC provides an avenue to give out information in regards to what ISS as a department of the UWA Student Guild has planned for international students as well as an avenue for clubs to work together and collaborate through events to expand and reach out to the wider international student population. Through ISC, we hope to see cross-collaborations between ISS and clubs or clubs and colleges or FacSocs and clubs etc.
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We understand that it can be hard moving into a new country and we highly encourage you to network and mingle with other students on campus to help boost your confidence as well as to help you assimilate into this new chapter of your life. Keep an eye out for club collaborations or even reach out to your facultysocieties to get involved with events or sports on campus to keep you occupied and to help expand your social circle. It is also important to note that if you are facing any issues be it in regards to your academics or your health, you can raise you queries to either the ISS committee or your respective clubs and FacSocs and we can work together to help you through the process of dealing with it. Your university experience becomes whole when you get involved with campus culture. You build long lasting friendships, learn to be assimilated into the multi-cultural environment of UWA and blossom as an individual through all these experiences. There are many students who are likely in the same boat as you are, and it helps to know that you are all in this together and can cross the hurdles and bridges that come your way at University.
UNIVERSITY LIFE
Life of an international student Being an international student means that I am miles away from parents, relatives and friends from the place that I call “home”. A combination of factors made my first few months in Australia extremely stressful and tough to deal with. The first obstacle I hit was language barrier as English was not my first language. Despite taking English classes back in China, it is extremely different and difficult to quickly adapt and assimilate to an English-speaking environment. Furthermore, the cultural and traditional differences between Australia and China resulted in the inevitable culture shock, as I had to navigate from having lived in a country based on eastern culture to living in a multicultural environment. University life has personally not been easy for me. While I dealt with being homesick, I also had to deal with the stress from different aspects of university life. A lot of my stress stemmed from assignments, especially when I had multiple assignments due in the same week. I found it hard to multitask and poor time management took a toll in my first year of university. Furthermore, during the examination period, the weight of the stress started taking a toll on me as I struggled to find my footing in this new country and my university life. However, as time went by and I settled into my university life, I started learning to manage my time wisely. I picked up new study methods and tricks to help me multitask and meet my deadlines even if I had several assignments due in the same week. Besides studying on the weekdays, I got myself a part time job to keep me occupied over the weekends. Getting a job created an opportunity for me to learn more about the local culture, allowing me to feel more engaged and a part of this multicultural society. It also provided an opportunity for me to improve on my English language and conversational skills. I also starting spending time at the gym doing weight lifts and exercises to maintain a healthy body. It was quite difficult to be persistent and consistent in going to the gym 4-5 times a week and spending 1-2 hours each time. I would sometimes find excuses for myself to not go to the gym but as it became a routine in my life, it also changed into a healthy habit. This also provided an opportunity to make new friends as I met new people in the gym and allowed me to expand my social circle. Getting my fitness in shape was extremely helpful in helping me release all the built-up stress from my university life, assignments, or even when I am homesick. It has also slowly built up my confidence in all aspects of life, and it has now helped me to assimilate into this new chapter of my life.
choi
Navigating through a world of possibilities Transitioning through life is always one of the toughest journeys one can ever face, well at least for me that was the case. Transitioning from one career to another, moving houses, being separated from your family, or in my case: a transition from school to a university. It may be great that you are not forced to conform to the 8am3pm school schedule. It is a light-hearted pleasure when you get to attend lectures and not have to pay attention because the lecture will be online anyway. It may bring about shock, when lecturers start being really pleased as you answer back. The urge to leave assignments till the last minute may also develop as a result of comfort. Just like anything in life, preparation helps. This means being proactive: talking to existing students in your course, carrying out research about your course to confirm your passion, or talking to your family to make sure that they’re just as excited as you are, stepping into a new chapter. You’ll also get to realise how much their support means and gain a newfound appreciation for their support. Learning a couple of life hacks and skills help, like being able to groom up within 10 seconds, boiling an egg for your lunch, reading a notice on the wall, putting the right amount of bleach down a toilet and recognising buildings and people, the list goes on. As the saying goes, you depend on your parents at home and your friends outside. Surround yourself with the right people at the right time. Join a society or a club. Attend a seminar or a boring talk. Talk to your neighbours and exchange contacts. Have meaningful conversations with lecturers and peers. Resist the temptation to appear mysteriously self-contained. You’ll find it harder if you do these later in the term, so start while you can. In the end, academic work still plays an integral role. One of the biggest differences is that no one nags you about due dates or how many hours of Netflix you shouldn’t be watching. You’ll have to figure this out by yourself. Then you will learn time management for homework, family, social life and time for yourself. It is better not to rush anything, or expect too much from yourself and your peers too soon. And take heart – nobody will punish you for ignoring all the guidance and help.
joshua wong
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james walker Secrets to excelling in your studies: As international students, we come from different backgrounds and cultures with the purpose of learning and expanding our horizons. In this edition, the Lighthouse team has invited some outstanding UWA students (international and domestic) who have achieved excellence in both academia and extracurricular activities to share their secrets about their university journey. The aim of this section is for you to learn from fellow students and pick up on skills and tips which can come in handy for your university journey. The words multitasking, balance your life, achieve your academic goals and plan your careers are big words which we hear as university students. For international students especially, it can be quite daunting while juggling full time study, other commitments and trying to assimilate into a new environment. We hope that this little Q&A session allows you to pick up some handy tricks which can make your university life that tad bit easier.
James, a Psychology student at UWA, is trying to further his career in the finance and banking industry. He is currently overloading 6 units across his major and works at a consulting firm. Once he finishes up his studies this semester, he is going to work full-time at an investment banking company in Sydney which is the business centre of Australia. Before his current status, James has done internships and research in various companies such as Acquisition and Leverage Finance intern at Westpac, Economics Research at Universities, Viburnum Funds etc. He also has an outstanding performance in his extracurricular activities and became the copresident of a business association. When we spoke to James, we were intrigued to find out how he manages his workload and still provides top-quality work. Q) How do you achieve a balanced lifestyle between your social life and studies? A) With a strong will to enter the business industry, I met many friends who have common interests in finance through one of the student societies in the UWA Business school. It provided with an opportunity to learn practical skills from each other and help each other out wherever we could with university work. When you need a downtime or just want to play sports, these friends become the best possible company and not only does this enhance our friendship but it allows us to get through our university journey together by helping each other in study sessions. A good and efficient combination of your network of friends and strong interest in your respective fields will definitely boost your skills and personal life. Q) Does being organised play a major role in helping you reach your goals? A) Personally, keeping myself organized and planning ahead is really important. Remember to plan beforehand and add your plans into your calendar. Before you start to do your unit, look at the unit
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information guide provided to you and find out the course mark structure. Find out the assignment due date and start to work on it the day the question is released. Once you start doing that, you spread your work and make it easier for yourself as you will understand the hints from lectures and tutorials. In reference to time allocation, put your tasks which are worth more marks into priority and spend more time on them. When choosing your tutorial timing for your unit, try to choose a time which is suitable for you, so that you do not skip or miss classes. Also, if you want to get a good grade, try talking to your peers that have done the units before for guidance and advice. Find out the content and difficulty level, then you can make a decision as to which unit is best for you. If you intend to do some relatively easy elective units, combined them with tougher units to balance your workload during the semester.” Sometimes, you may realize that your plan or your schedule is getting impacted. For example, I needed to go to an international economics conference which required me having to skip a week of Uni, which obviously impacted my university tasks in some way. Beyond my expectations, I got special consideration for it. They allowed me to finish my work after coming back from the conference. So it is important to remember to always talk to your tutor or your lecturer and ask for their advice. Your faculty office staff members are always lovely and helpful, and they may look into your case and give you a good solution. Q) Moving forward, what’s important in helping you progress up the career ladder? A) The transformation leading up to the foundations of your career is a huge step and hence it is important to take the initiative early to begin this journey. Start thinking about your career pathways when you are in your first year. It is important to join student associations or networks which add educational value to your field of study
and help boosts your skills. Don’t be afraid of talking and networking with people or colleagues from your industry. The best way to get interconnected is through Linkedln. Connect with people who are working in a company which you are considering applying for and try to get to know abit more about them while allowing them to get to know you and your interests. You may even want to consider asking them if they would be willing to meet you for a coffee. Selling your skills and knowing the real work within the company while talking to them will help you be a better candidate than others. Even you don’t get the position, it is a learning opportunity and you have more knowledge about your career pathway and perspective for that specific job scope. You never know when you will need to use that knowledge that you have acquired. But before you decide to network, it is very important that you show a strong interest and that you are willing to put in the effort to learn new things. Sometimes, CEOS or bosses of companies are willing to help and give advice. It’s extremely important here in Australia to have a positive and willing to learn attitude. I didn’t really do the financial units but I taught myself how to do them. Your strong interest and effort in a specific industry is the best name card of yourself, which allows you to show off on your resume. The point is that sometimes it is very hard for you to show the employer that you are expanding on your knowledge. It is important to potentially look into doing online courses or certificates as proof. Furthermore, for finance and accounting students, sitting for exams such as the CFA, CPA or others helps boost your knowledge and makes your resume more appealing. To wrap up, it is important to always communicate with your peers and the teaching staff and you should not be afraid to ask for help or advice because they are there to guide you. It is an effective way to solve your concerns with your units and helps personally boost your morale and confidence.
UNIVERSITY LIFE
ben perry Excelling at uni through the eyes of a domestic student: Ben Perry is currently completing his Masters of Industrial and Organisational (IO) Psychology. 2018 is his fifth consecutive year of full time study at UWA, having completed a Bachelor of Science (Double Major in Psychology) in 2016 and Honours in 2017. At the moment he’s on track to graduate with my Masters by the end of 2019 and aims to decide what specific area of IO Psychology to practice in through his course’s 1000 hours of practical placements.
Q) What do you think allows you to earn high academic achievement? A) I’m originally from a rural town of WA, so my parents have sacrificed a lot for me to be able to continue study at UWA. I therefore find that keeping this in the forefront of my mind motivates me and helps keep me on track for high academic achievement. In terms of pitfalls I would say that it’s easy with busy everyday life to forget why you’re at university in the first place, which can decrease focus on your studies.
tutorials Q) What’s essential in earning a good participation mark for tutorials? A) I’d say that the key is consistency. Speaking up a lot in one tutorial is not as good a way to get marks as making sure that you say at least one or two things in every tutorial and showing that you’re engaging with the class. This can be difficult if you’re not used to talking in front of a group, and if so let your tutor know individually, but otherwise just make sure that you’re at least putting in some effort to contribute.
issues in lectures and tutorials Q) Have you ever been in a situation that you didn’t understand the answers or points made during a tutorial or lecture and have felt lost after? How do you tackle this situation? A) For sure! It happens way more than you might think for everyone; people are just embarrassed to say so, so it doesn’t seem as common as it is. For lectures I generally check relevant readings first after class, and then if I don’t get it, I email the lecturer. For tutorials I try to talk to the tutor at the end of the class, and/or follow up with an email after if necessary.
discussions it’s easier for group members to feel like you’re not putting in as much effort as them. Apart from that, try to set group goals and a project timeline early on in the project to avoid conflict when it gets closer to the due date.
assignments Q) How do you analyse and break down your assignments and what do you think is important in ensuring you get high marks? At the start of semester write down the assessment breakdown of all your units, and the dates of the assessments on your calendar. This way you’re aware of what is due at what times, and how much they are worth. When it gets towards the end of semester and you’re very busy, prioritise assessments based off their weighting and how well you’re doing in that unit (for example prioritising the 30% assessment for the unit you’re in danger of failing, instead of the 10% assessment for the unit you’re currently doing really well in).
time management Q) How do you normally manage your time (during semester)? A) Generally speaking, I try to restrict university time/ study time to the weekdays, leaving weekends for relaxation. This helps promote a healthy study/life balance and can help reduce stress. It also helps if you have a certain spot where you only do study (I study at a particular place at university and avoid doing any study at home where possible). These ideas can fall apart a bit when you get closer to deadlines, but it’s still a good idea to try them out!
exam prep Q) How do you prepare for your final examinations?
group work Q) In your experience, what is important in group work or do you have any technique for achieving high Sparkplus or Group work mark? A) Being present in all group discussions is quite important, even if you do a good amount of work, because if you’re not getting involved with group
A) I’d say that a great way to begin your exam study, regardless of content, is to spend time writing down precisely what content is assessable in the exam. Unit coordinators often give guidance around this in the last lecture of semester, so make sure to re-watch it! This way, you ensure that you know exactly what is being assessed, and you may even get a feel of the specific areas/topics you might be assessed on!
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michael li My name is Michael Li, and I am an international student from Hong Kong. Studying abroad is different from studying in your hometown. Travelling all the way from an academically intensive country – Hong Kong, I am now studying without pressure and really enjoy my studies and learning at UWA. As an international student, almost all of us are bilingual and we speak at least two languages. However, sometimes it might bring us difficulties in certain aspects of studying, such as reading and writing essays. The key thing is to get rid of the high pressure and worries by relieving yourself from your stressors. Here are a couple of tips that benefit all of the students, especially international students to ease their struggles of studying. Firstly, find the right place for studying. It is the first priority to pick a quiet and safe place for studying which allows you to be productive. I would strongly recommend picking your favourite library and choosing the best study spot in the building. There are several libraries at UWA and you are bound to find something that works in your favour! Secondly, organise your reading and lecture materials in terms of weekly readings and lecture notes. It is vital to organise your studying materials in a good manner since they are the most valuable things that refer to your studies. Thirdly, mark down all of your assignments and assessments due dates in your notebook, laptop screen or memo, where it is visible and easy to access, so you can remind yourself when the assignment and assessments are due! Next, after making down the due dates, plan your work
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out ahead of time so that you will have plenty of time to prepare for your assignments. If possible, try not to rush the completion of your work even if it may not be due until a later date. Furthermore, it is important to make use of the online tools to boost your writing and reading skills. There are several online platforms (Youtube and UWA website) which provide adequate information to assist your studying skills. There are plenty of fact-sheets which can be found in every UWA library. These fact-sheets are coloured and visible near the reception in every library, so give it a try! Lastly, organise your revision time by dividing them into four quarters in an hour. Spare one-quarter of time for a tiny little break every hour to make sure your mind is not trapped in stressful headspace. Take a good break to free up your mind as it is the best way to relieve yourself from overwhelming knowledge intake when you are studying. Personally, I avoid watching drama series during my breaks and leave them to after completion of my assignments and exams. Long shows can break your study streak as it entices you to keep watching and keeps you distracted. Meditation is the best way to relax your mind from the stressors and allows you to escape. It is important to not second guess yourself after submissions or completions of examinations and move forward to the next task at hand. These six tips are the key elements that guided me throughout my degree at UWA. Not all of them are applicable only to studies but also helped me to become a more organised and productive person. After two years of studying at UWA, I feel like studying does not just mean taking in academic knowledge but also teaches me how to prepare for my future and career.
UNIVERSITY LIFE
van lin Hello everyone, my name is Lin, and I started my undergraduate study at UWA in 2015, majoring in engineering science. I am now a postgraduate student and am doing my Masters of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I also have been volunteering in UniMentor program for 3 semesters. I was invited to talk about my study methods and how I managed to finish my bachelor degree in 2 and half years. To clarify, it’s obvious that everyone has their own ways of studying, as well as methods, which may work for some people but not necessarily work for others. I’m hoping that I can help more students by giving them ideas from my point of view, based on my experiences from my undergraduate years.
before everything starts Before the semester began, I went through the University handbook, checked out whether any major specific units had prerequisites and which semesters they were available in. I prepared a draft of study plan that could be edited every semester. By the end of the first week of semester, I made a timetable for all the assessments that I had for the entire semester with due dates on the first page of my notebook. As I completed an assessment, I would cross out each item, and made sure I highlighted important items for the next assessment.
during the semester The preparation before tutorials or practical sessions are necessary and it is ideal to go through the lecture notes again. However, if there is not enough time, at least have a look at your tutorial sheets or power point slides to gain some ideas as to what to expect during the tutorial. Another important thing is getting used to asking questions. You might think the question you have prepared to ask is silly and hence may hesitate to ask, but the truth is that many other students may have the same confusion as you do. And remember you don’t have to ask questions directly in the lecture theatre or tutorial class in front of everyone. Simply send an email with all your doubts and queries in mind or maybe even ask to arrange a consultation session with your lecturers/tutors. Here’s another perspective, every student at university is paying a tuition fee and hence we are entitled to ask questions to solve our doubts! Revision prep for exams, should start with the advice given in the revision lecture. If you have more time, go through all the materials given on LMS, and you could even find some past year papers on Onesearch for practices.
This is where you can look into joining these programs and broadening your horizons while studying at UWA:
another choice for the uni-break
- Scholarship information can be found at: www.scholarships.uwa.edu.au
Back in 2015, during my first year of undergraduate studies, a presentation held by the Guild allowed me to discover that there are many short-term study-abroad programs available during summer and winter breaks. By participating in these programs, I got the chance to study and travel to many different places, experience their local culture and most importantly had my credit points transferred back to UWA as an elective or broadening unit. So during most of my breaks, I participated in those programs and achieved 24 advanced credit points in the end which is equivalent to 4 elective units.
- Study aboard Programs can be found at: https://www.globalstudio.uwa.edu.au - Internship & volunteering job and other part-time/full-time jobs can be found at: https://uwa.careerhub.com.au
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jai lee In this interview we spoke to Jia, an international student about their revision and study tips and tricks.
Q) How do you revise for your exams? A) Personally, I go through all lecture notes first, understand the key points in each week and try to do the lecture example questions. Secondly, review all tutorial questions with solutions for each week. If you have enough time, attempt all the questions by yourself, otherwise pick what you think is important. Usually if you know the content of the lecture, you can tell which question is the most important in the tutorial. If your lecturer or tutor mentions something may appear in the exam, make sure you understand the concept of it. If your lecturer mentions something is not examinable, make sure to clarify with them first by sending an email to lecturer and if they confirm so, then just skip it. If you have friends who have done that unit before, ask them for advice for the assignments and examination prep or the important parts you need to understand for the unit. The most important is to understand the content, understand what this unit requires of you, so that you can remember them. Lecture notes and tutorial questions are the most important. If you do not have enough time, at least skim through them. Q) How do you prepare for your tutorials? A) It is important to go through your lecture content before your tutorial so that you have a basic understanding of what is going on in the tutorial and are capable of doing the tutorial questions. Try to get the tutorial solutions from the textbooks, internet or work with your friends and attempt the questions together. By attempting your tutorial work, you can compare the solution with your answer so you can determine if you are on the right track. If you do not understand you can ask your tutor at the end of the tutorial. Even if you have not been through the lecture, you can still answer the questions done in tutorials, allowing you to gain confidence in participating in your tutorials. Tutorial marks are the easiest mark you can get so aim to get full points. Here are some ways to earn a full mark for tutorial participation: - Answer at least one long questions or two short questions in the tutorial, as the purpose of this is to let your tutor remember you. - If you have questions, preferably ask them during the tutorial not after. Asking during tutorial counts
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as classroom participation and contributes to your marks. - If your tutor allows you to check the participation mark, check it every few weeks. - Be prepared for your tutorial and pick 3 questions that you can confidently answer in the tutorial. Q) How do you manage your time at Uni? A) I believe one should carefully allocate their timetable for tutorials. If you are not sure you can wake up early, then do not choose a morning class. Thursday is the most ideal day for tutorials as you have longer time to prepare for it. Watch the lecture recording for your earliest tutorial first and the latest one last. Allocate your time for assignments based on the weightage and difficulty and due date. Distribute at least 2 days for your midterm examination revision and 3 days for the final. If you think you may not have enough time during revision week, start earlier. Understand the 4 units for the following semester before you choose them. Go to the online unit outline and determine whether the unit contains graded tutorials, assignments and midterm exams. Choose the 4 units which you feel most comfortable and confident about. My experience is to choose 2 units in each semester that require an assignment. Good assignment preparation requires time to research, amend and lots cooperation between team members for group assignments. Q) What is the best way to tackle assignments? A) Read the assignment requirement carefully, outlining every key point beforehand. Understand what your lecturer expects of you for each part. If you are confused about the requirements, make sure you ask and clarify your doubts early. Do lots of research, as this will actually save your time. Draft out the assignment first and think about what you want in each section. When you have something suitable, jot down the idea and the weblink under the section. Therefore, when you have enough points to start with, you know where you acquired your source for reference. Structure the assignment clearly and logically, making sure you have every key point in each section. Get someone to check the grammar and the general flow of the entire assignment.
UNIVERSITY LIFE
get involved! One of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin once said: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Indeed, involvement in many different things helps us to grow faster than reading all the good books on this planet or gaining all the knowledge possible. This is why many adults and seniors encourage the young, especially those in schools, colleges or universities to be involved as much as possible. There are many things to get involved in around the University, including the numerous clubs and societies on campus. Any individual, being clueless on what to join, should consider at least three types of clubs or societies. You may consider joining a club based on how it relates to your background, be it through your culture, religion or nationality. For example, a student from China may consider taking part in the Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSSA), where you are able to connect with other students from China. If you have a religious background, for example Christianity, you may want to consider participation in the activities hosted by the Christian Union (CU). For many international students, finding a footing in a new country with people from similar backgrounds allows them to be part of a community creating a home away from home feeling. Furthermore, one may feel more comfortable in an environment with people who understand what they are going through,
possibly forging life-long friendships along the way. To an extent, these clubs represent who you are as an individual. Therefore, one should definitely consider joining a club sharing a background similar with oneself. Another avenue to get involved is for students to join their faculty clubs and societies. For example, Business Students can join the Economic and Commerce Student Society (ECOMS) as well as clubs which align with their respective majors. This will be very helpful as these clubs regularly host events with reputable corporations, giving you insights on what your potential future career place may be like. These clubs may also have events equipping you with skills and knowledge like ways to prepare yourself for the first interview, methods to do a case study well, tips on investment in stocks and many more! Therefore, to better prepare yourselves for your future career, participating in activities hosted by your faculty societies is definitely helpful. To further enrich your university experience, students may consider joining clubs of their respective interest. There are many different clubs to cater to all of your different interests, ranging from dance to debate. For example, if you enjoy sports, there are many sports clubs on campus to consider. Students interested in investments may consider joining UWA Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) while others
who may like politics can consider the UWA Politics Club. It is important to be involved in activities you enjoy as this will improve your well-being and increase your social circle. You may even gain a skill or two by being active in these clubs! Most importantly, students at the University of Western Australia (UWA) should consider getting their UWA GUILD membership. As a UWA student, you are entitled to a membership which will give you benefits. With the GUILD membership, you are entitled to discounts and offers in many local businesses in Perth and on campus. You have nothing to lose by gaining free membership with the UWA GUILD. In conclusion, there are many clubs and societies available on campus for you to take part in. If you think that there is none that matches your interest, why not consider starting a club on your own? Being involved in clubs would not only bring you skills, knowledge and even friendships but involvement in these activities will help you grow as an individual as well. So what are you waiting for? Get Involved! Editor’s note: Please take note that majority of clubs and societies on campus do have a membership fee which is usually not more than $10 and it entitles you to discounts for all the events that they hold across the year.
milvert ling lighthouse // 19
postgraduate students association The Postgraduate Students Association (PSA) is a representative body of UWA postgraduate student. PSA is a department of the UWA Student Guild. All postgraduate and research students are automatically entitled to being a member of PSA upon enrollment. PSA is run by a committee of current postgraduate students who are elected representatives by the postgraduate student population. Our core values are representation, advocacy and providing services to postgraduate students. PSA organises information sessions, social events and networking events. PSA is a Financial Member of CAPA (Council of Australian Postgraduate Association). We can help with postgraduate specific problems as compared to the general services provided by any other clubs or associations at UWA. As the PSA International Students Officer, I will be liaising with the Language and Cultural Exchange (LACE) program coordinator and with UWA International Students Service (ISS) in regards to policies concerning international students which includes visa, health care and work restrictions. I am looking at organizing events which are solely focused on the needs of international students. PSA offers financial support. There are three awards: • Conference Travel award. • Fieldwork or Data collection award. • Small grants. Guidelines and Awards application can be found on the PSA website: http://www. uwastudentguild.com/new-uwa-psa-website/ PSA communicates with its member through a wide range of media platforms. The President, Peter Watson writes a weekly newsletter to PSA members, providing advice and ongoing activities and research at UWA. Members can connect with us through our Facebook page to get instant updates and the odd jokes. PSA organizes events like CONNECT, QUIZ NIGHT, Postgrad Café, write club and board game night which allows for postgraduate students to get together, network and have a wind-down session after a long day.
rahul m s PSA International Students Officer
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STUDENT ASSIST The Guild’s friendly team of Student Assist staff offers free, confidential advice and support for any issues you may face, for example if: • You have issues with your student visa or are wondering about your visa options after graduation • You’re struggling with Australian teaching and learning styles • You’ve received a letter about academic misconduct • Uncontrollable circumstances are affecting your academic performance • You’re stressed out and having trouble coping with life and/or uni
INDEPENDENT ADVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT
• You want to request a review of your grade or a UWA decision • You feel you’ve been discriminated against, harassed or treated unfairly • Your bank account/wallet/pantry is empty and you’ve got bills to pay • You’re just not sure where to ask for help!
Contact Guild Student Assist at: assist@guild.uwa.edu.au
6488 2292
uwastudentguild.com/assist lighthouse // 21
harley’s food adventure
koko black When you come to Australia, you will find Australian chocolate is much richer than regular chocolate. This is especially true at Koko Black. The chocolate cream and vanilla ice cream is full of a mellow taste, and the chocolate and caramel sauce are silky. This is an excellent choice when you want to eat chocolate or dessert.
cloud gelato A small shop in London’s streets, but with hidden mysteries. London Court in the heart of Perth CBD is an absolute hidden gem. The owner of the shop is very kind, and the shop is charming. You can choose one scoop of ice cream or two, and you can also decide whether you want to make your ice cream look like an egg. Sweet ice cream with crispy waffles, plus marshmallows and chocolate bars, is absolutely delicious. The shop owner displays their artistic talent by working to turn your ice cream into a rose, which makes the ice cream more appealing and increases enjoyment and satisfaction.
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fortune five chinese restaurant This is a morning tea shop located in Beiqiao. It is one of the few tea restaurants that has to be evaluated by my Guangzhou friends. The waiters in the store are very friendly. They will push the dining car and ask you if you want to eat. I recommend cattle buckwheat, egg tarts, small ribs and chicken feet. This restaurant is very reasonable concerning taste. If two people eat it, it will cost $50 or $60. It can be said to be economical and delicious.
FOOD
goan chicken recipe ingredients • 2 Onions (finely chopped) • 1.5 Tomatoes (finely chopped) • 3 Tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste • 1 - 1.5 cups Water • 8 small/ 5 big Curry leaves • 2 Tbsp Salt • 1 tsp Garam Masala • 1.5 Tbsp Chicken Masala* • 1 tsp Coriander Powder • 2 - 3 pinches Turmeric (to lighten colour) • 6 Tbsp Vegetable/Olive oil • 350g - 500g Chicken breast or thigh pieces • 3 Tbsp Red chilli powder
let’s get cooking 1. In a bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of Oil, 1 ½ tablespoons of Ginger-Garlic Paste, 1 ½ tablespoons of Red Chili Powder and 1 tablespoon of Salt. 2. Cut chicken pieces into equal sizes and add into bowl and mix well. 3. Keep the marinated mixture aside until needed. 4. Heat a pan on a medium-high flame and add the rest of the oil in it. Place your hand on top and judge if the pan is hot. 5. Add the Onions and 1 ½ tablespoons of Salt and fry the onions. (Tip: Putting salt while frying onions helps fry them faster as the salt absorbs the moisture from the onions.) 6. Once the onions look a bit soft add the Curry Leaves, the remaining Ginger-Garlic paste and keep frying until the onions look a bit burnt. 7. Now, add Tomatoes and keep sautéing for 5 minutes. 8. Add all the remaining Masalas and keep sautéing until the mixture becomes soft. 9. Add the marinated chicken pieces and make sure the chicken pieces are cooked well for approximately 7 mins with the lid closed by altering the flame from high to medium. 10. Add Water according to preference of thickness of the curry. 11. Cook it for another 5 mins with the lid open. 12. Taste to check for the balance of Salt. If required add more. 13. Your Easy Indian Chicken Curry is ready to be served and can be eaten with steamed rice, Naan or Roti.
rahul m s
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Wine, Beer and Snacks traditional method sparkling (champagne)
you need when enjoying a cold beer. When the bitterness is removed from a beer, you get the full flavour of the beer.
1. Uncle Toby’s LeSnack
sauternes
2. Cobs Gluten Free Cheese Popcorn Group A consists of two very cheesy snacks, and in this circumstance, I lean to a traditional method sparkling, a wine often paired with hard cheeses such as cheddar and even though the LeSnack is a creamy variant it still holds that cheddar flavour. Cheddar cheese tends to have a nuttiness to it, which is one of the reasons these snacks and champagne are paired as it is a scenario where pairing similar flavours amplifies their similarities.
beer 3. Majan’s Bhuja Snacks Beer Mix 4. Red Rock Deli Honey Soy Chicken/Lime & Black Pepper 5. Grain Waves These three snacks took some careful deliberation as some wines would potentially work but that end of the day beer seems to be the ideal match to these salty snacks. Simply put, beer and salt go well together, but the reason behind this bond is that salt neutralises bitterness, which is the exact thing
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6. Tropical Fields Crispy Coconut Rolls 7. Knopper’s Wafer Sandwich These two sweet dessert style snacks were tricky to mix. I began with the notion that sweet wine is the only way to match these snacks, due to the snacks themselves being very sweet whereas with a dry wine it would become bitter and unpleasant. The wine I decided would match perfectly would be a Sauterne, better known as a dessert wine. I choose this well famous wine region as the delicious sweet wine would match the sweetness of the snacks and complement their flavours and bring out the best flavours of the snacks.
tawny port 8. Cadbury Dairy Milk Cadbury dairy milk chocolate is a sweet milk chocolate, not one usually paired with wines but one you could none the less. The reasons behind this follow suit to the reasons
of Group C as the wine would need to match the sweetness of the snack. With chocolate, I thought a darker wine would be appropriate, and the chosen wine would be a Tawny Port due to its sweetness and its darker variety flavours of raisin and caramel. Tawny Port being a more mellow flavoured port than others would complement the richer flavours of the milk chocolate well and be a delicious match.
pinot noir australia 9. Woolworths Cranberry & Nut Mix 10. Be Natural Nut Butter Bars Berry Bliss The last pairing is of two snacks both featuring berries, which led me to pairing it with a red wine of a soft fruity variety. This wine of choice would be a new world Pinot Noir more specifically from Australia. The Australian Pinot Noir is typically a lovely soft wine backed with good quality fruit which is usually a bit riper than typical Pinot Noir. Drinking this variety with the snacks would be optimal as the fruity berries would complement the Pinot’s fruit and therefore allow a marriage of flavour and the wine and food to uplift each other.
linkar
TRAVELING AROUND WA
harley’s exploring adventures blue boat house This is a tourist attraction located near UWA on the Matilda River. Whether the weather is good or not, people always head over to capture beautiful pictures all the time. The scenic background of the river and skies provides some camera worthy moments. It is recommended to watch the sunrise in the morning or take a picture of the bright and blue river in the afternoon. Sometimes there are a lot of people, but when you think about the beautiful view, the wait is worth it.
albany Albany is a beautiful night fishing port city in the southern regions of Western Australia. Albany is located 418km South-East of Perth. It takes about four and a half hours to drive from the city center. It takes about six and a half hours if you chose to travel by public transportation. It is good to have a little wine, do some fishing, network and watch the stars with friends at night. It is a beautiful place to escape to with its beautiful natural landscapes, flora and fauna.
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WA Camping Adventure Western Australia, which covers one third of the country, is made up mostly of the arid Outback. Its population is concentrated in its fertile southwest corner, home to the Margaret River wine region and the riverside capital, Perth. In the far north, the Kimberley region is home to ancient Aboriginal rock art, the Bungle Bungle sandstone dunes and Broome, with Cable Beach camels and a pearling industry. It means there are many areas to explore as a travel addict. When I was younger, adventures out of the city area were always attractive to me. I watched many adventure TV shows and documentaries to boost my knowledge. I had a lot of admiration for the wild views in places like Western Australia and hoped one day I could go and conquer all these amazing places in an adventure. I have been lucky enough to meet up with Laura, Justin and Sam through UWA Sport who are all very experienced in wild nature treks. We became friends and started to plan my first journey around Western Australia during the Christmas holidays. The way we prepared for the trip was probably the most important part of the trip. In Western Australia, the situation when road tripping is slightly different from that over East. The distance between the towns huge and many of them are not well established. There is limited phone signal and almost no internet service throughout most places. We had to be meticulous when planning our trip.
Sam and Justin provided us with their 4WD cars after having them fully inspected to ensure that they were safe for the journey. They also built car racks on the top so that we could either put our bags or kayaks on top. It is important to be smart about what you pack so here are some recommendations: 1) Foldable appliances are preferable as compared to fragile ones. 2) A water container is absolutely necessary as you may be in regions with no drinking water. Dam and river water is not drinkable. We bought a water tank which we filled at whatever opportunity we got. It is important to be conservative with your water usage as well. 3) It’s hard to make or keep fresh food, so a smarter idea would be to invest in canned good and seasoning to perk up those taste buds. 4) Make sure to bring a waterproof jacket or a windbreaker as temperatures do dip at night in the wild regardless of the season. Enclosed shoes are important to protect your feet from the harsh conditions of the grounds. Full length t-shirts and pants are recommended to prevent sunburn and insect bites. 5) It is important to bring a good quality tent to protect you from the dew and it is advisable to bring thick sleeping bags to protect you from the dip in temperatures. Try not to drive at night as a precaution. Make sure to bring enough lamps and torches. 6) Sunscreen and insect repellents are absolutely essential. It would be good to invest in fly nets for your hats and snake protective gaiter for hiking sessions. 7) Detailed outback travelling maps are crucial in an emergency situation. 8) Bring a fully packed first-aid kit for emergencies.
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TRAVELING AROUND WA
We started our journey early in the morning from Perth down to southern WA. The entire journey took about 2.5 weeks. We mainly stayed at camp sites which are pretty cheap. It is better to drive in the daytime and set up your tent before sunset. We got up around 7am to pack up and start our day by 7.30am and settled into our tent by 6pm or 7pm in the evening. I experienced one of the most amazing trips of my life during these 16 days. We went to explore many 4WD outback spots and deep into a forest where there was almost nobody. We came across places which replicated what I had seen in documentaries As someone who has done several trips around Australia, I would like to share some of the important things I’ve learnt: •
Read up about your destination and the conditions surrounding it
•
Try and check your equipment before you leaving: put your tent up at least once in your backyard to ensure there are no faults
•
Research if you can use campfire in your location
•
Never camp in a place where it is not permitted - Rangers will fine you if you camp in a forbidden place
•
Don’t arrive late to your campsite as you are competing with other campers for a spot
•
Always be mindful of supplies such as water and food
•
It’s better to have two cars if you plan to go 4WD - if one car gets stuck in sand or a ditch, another car can drag it out
•
If you don’t have a good enough car, rent one! One of the biggest things about safety is ensuring your mode of transport is equipped to handle the terrain. You can rent a brand new car from various car rental companies for a fair price. You will just need a valid driver license and debit card. Always check and get a safe, fully-insured car.
Coming into a new country is exciting and you may be eager to experience as much as you can. I truly understand your curiosity as I started off in the exact same position as you have! But keeping yourself safe and sound is also your responsibility. This is why I thought sharing this information is crucial. When I went out for my first trip, I was shocked because everything is so much different from my home country. Don’t attempt to do something beyond your capabilities and capacity. Know your limits. I hope my travel experience will help you and provide some hints when you planning for your future trips! Best luck and enjoy your study experience and the adventures that follow!
Anthea Liu lighthouse // 27
Diving and Embracing Blue Dream of Sea Freediving, Scuba diving and Skydiving Hi my name is Coco Rong and I’m an exchange student from Essec Business School in Paris. This article follows my blue adventures across Western Australia, from South of Rockingham to North of Ningaloo.
People always asked me why I chose this city, one of the most isolated cities in the world, when I have over 100s of other destinations to choose from around the world. So, I turned around and asked them, “have you seen the color of the Indian Ocean in Western Australia? It’s too beautiful, almost unrealistic”.
Having 4 years of freediving experience and 6 years of scuba diving experience, the big blue deeply attracted me to explore each of its hidden spots in Western Australia.
My first adventure takes me up north on a 7 day stay in Exmouth. After an hour and a half long flight, I landed at Learmouth Airport, the smallest and simplest airport I’ve ever seen in the middle of a desert. The further up north you go, the more desolation you see. It was a gateway to the nearby Ningaloo Marine Park with its coral reefs, colourful fish and migratory whale sharks. 5 out of the 7 days saw diving as the only thing on my schedule. Among 10 dives there, the highlight of my trip belonged to my experience swimming with whale sharks.
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Thinking back my first experience of swimming with a whale shark, I had no clue how to kick my fins properly and I even forgot to breath! Imagine a giant creature which is 20 times the size of myself, 10 meters long slowly moving just 5 meters next to me. It was absolutely unrealistic. I still remember being scared at first and struggled because the big mouth can literally eat 5 times the size of me at the same time, even though I knew that whale sharks mainly eat small fish and squid. But after several seconds in the water and seeing how meek and mild they were, I started taking in the views and enjoyed watching their movements. It could disappear out of my sight within no more than 3 seconds. This was definitely something so unique and it’s hard to imagine before you see them in person.
When I say shark, what the first thing that comes to mind? Dangerous to humans? Aggressive species? But the truth is around Western Australia, you will mainly meet a species of shark called “Reef Shark” which have no interest in humans unless provoked and you can enjoy as having a swim around them as much as you like. You might even get a selfie if you are lucky enough and they can be found at most diving spots.
The memories of interacting with dolphins underwater still make me feel exhilarated. Rather than encountering dolphins by boat and seeing them from far away, this is a completely different experience. Even if it was just for a minute, the dolphins were swimming in pairs in circles around me, and swimming with these fascinating mammals in their natural environment became absolutely surreal and peaceful in the moment. Pick a sunny Saturday morning driving from city down to Rockingham and make your dolphin swimming dreams come true!
Being a free diver and a scuba diver, I always hung out underwater. I’ve never imagined that one day I could free fall from 10,000 feet and look down at the stunning view of my favourite ocean from above! The color of the ocean was like a gradually varied canvas that made me it feel like a dream. I have to say Western Australia is the one of the best places and no other place can compete with its abundance of beauty.
Coco Rong
THINGS TO DO IN PERTH
Perth City and its Flora and Fauna Araluen Botanic Park When we visit Araluen park, you can find stream flowing and plenty of picnic spot with delightful bush walks to explore and in addition to the famous garden displays. Gardens are spectacular with the help of volunteers and also the dedication of the staff. They are best known for amazing array of colours during the “Yates Springtime”. There are huge varieties of roses which are planted in Australian bushland setting amongst the native vegetation.
Caversham Wildlife Park The park is located inside Whiteman Park. It is situated a couple of kilometers from Perth in Swan Valley. See and touch the native animals such as Koalas and Kangaroos in their natural habitat, while enjoying the parkland and features of the renewed bushland. Student concession is also available. At this park there are plenty of attractions that you can go and see and get involved with, which include: Farm show, Molly’s Farm and meet Wombat and friends.
Cohunu Koala Park It is located on 16 hectares of natural Australian bush land and it is 35 minutes from the City of Perth. Uniquely situated at the top of the Darling Range of panoramic view of the Perth city.
Things to do: Hand feed the friendly kangaroo, wallabies and other wildlife. Cuddle a koala. Even if you forget the camera, they supply disposable camera with film. Cohunu is a photographer’s paradise, with spectacular shots of native wildlife.
Kings Park It is visited by millions of people each year. Discover this delightful attraction of Western Australian botanic gardens, walk among the tree tops of the Lotterywest federation walkway, reflect the state war memorial, enjoy the natural fun of Rio Tinto Naturescape and play with the foot print of dinosaur in May Drive parkland. Kings Park and Bold park are renowned for their spectacular views. Kings park is located on the prime location of Mt.Eliza with a panoramic view of Perth City and Swan river. Bold point is a natural high park which provides the stunning view of Indian ocean.
Aquarium of Western Australia For rich kelp of Great southern coast to the tropical wonderland of coral reef in the far north. AQWA also has an underwater journey to discover incredible and unique marine life of Western Australia coast from the icy-cold waters of the Southern Ocean. Student concession is also available.
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Airplane adventures Settling in a new country, you may find there are times when you feel like to do something but don’t know where to go. In fact, there are many fun things to try in this most isolated city but one thing absolutely stood out for me; being able to fly an airplane without a license. Yes,
you
can anairplaneairplane without Yes, youfly can fly an without a license
a
license
It might come as a surprise to learn that you could fly an airplane with no prior experience. In some aviation clubs they offer a trial flight session for people to experience the enjoyment of piloting an airplane. All you need to do is book yourself in for a session and be punctual for it. You will undergo a briefing about the basic techniques of handling the aircraft by your instructor, which are extremely easy to understand and follow. Personally, I feel that the most important details to remember are the takeoff speed and the correct technique to respond to a stall, which is a condition when an aircraft exceeds its given critical angle of attack and is no longer able to produce the required lift for normal flight. Although it is unlikely to happen during your first flight, it is interesting to learn about it as a precaution. After 15 minutes of briefing, you will be guided to an airplane with the instructor sitting beside you and from here, the adventure starts. You will take charge of the plane by yourself with the help of the instructor from takeoff to pre-landing, during which you get to enjoy the epic view of the city from sky. It is a once in a lifetime experience that will remain etched in your mind for a long time.
Visit http://www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au/content/page/trial-flights.html for more information.
Benjamin Shu
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WANT MORE OUT OF UNI LIFE? BECOME A GUILD MEMBER. YOU’LL GET HEAPS OF EXTRA VALUE, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT UWA – AND MEMBERSHIP IS FREE! • GET INVOLVED with 180+ clubs and societies to choose from. • GET ORGANISED with a free student diary packed with important dates, maps and info.
• GET SUPPORT with free, confidential advice on academic and welfare issues from the Guild’s professional Student Assist team.
• GET DISCOUNTS on food and drinks on campus.
• GET YOUR FINANCES SORTED with budgeting tips, interest-free loans and grants.
• GET GREAT DEALS at dozens of shops and businesses around WA.
• GET TEXTBOOKS FOR LESS with the Guild Secondhand Bookshop.
• GET AWAY FROM THE LAPTOP and stretch your body with free yoga and pilates sessions.
• GET YOUR VOICE HEARD through your elected student reps (or even run for a position yourself).
• GET OUT MORE with free or discounted entry to Guild events.
• GET EXPERIENCE while having fun and doing good through Guild Volunteering.
LIKE/FOLLOW/VISIT US FOR GIVEAWAYS, EVENTS AND IMPORTANT INFO!
uwastudentguild.com hello@guild.uwa.edu.au fb.com/uwastudentguild
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aussie slang for newbies your one stop guide to australian slang AUSTRALIAN SLANG
TRANSLATION
Cuppa
Maccas McDonalds
Arvo Afternoon
S’Arvo
Cup of tea
This Afternoon
Biccy/Biccies Biscuit/Biscuits
Lappy Laptop
Devo Devastated
Barbie Barbecue
G’day
Good Day
No worries
No problem/ It’s Ok
Fair dinkum Honest/Genuine
Servo
Petrol/Gas station
Bottle-O
Liquor Store
Buggered Tired
Show you the ropes
Teach you how to do something
Slab
Carton of beers
Sunnies Sunglasses
Footy
Vego Vegetarian
Mate
AFL (Aussie Rules Football)
A friend
Straya Australia
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Choccie Chocolate
Tradie
A tradesperson
Prezzie
A present/gift
Mozzie Mosquito
Avo Avocado
FUN TIME
Procrastination The butt of sheepish jokes and excuses in university, ever the hot feature in internet memes, and the bane of my existence. Yes, I am talking about a student’s worst enemy: Procrastination. Calling out to all my fellow procrastinators out there, I know life can be a struggle for you (though admittedly, very much due directly to our own incompetency). However, the procrastination monster often creeps up on you and without a mindful eye, an entire day can go wasted, leaving you feeling lethargic and restless as the same time. Trust me, I get it. In fact, even this very article is being hastily crafted after yet another long, drawn out bout of procrastination, spurred on only by the imminent deadline a mere hour away. My intent is to discuss the curious ways of a chronic procrastinator, in hopes of uncovering some antidote to this unproductiveness (and hopefully, my grades too but that is no simple task). Here’s the big question: Why do we procrastinate? The answer is simple. It is just plain easy. It’s convenient. Over the years I have discovered that given any chance, a couple hours of idle time when your mind is stuck in a state between boredom and homework, the P-monster slides into the booth beside you, mojito in hand and a lazy lopsided grin. For us international students, we’re often living alone in single rooms be it on the college row in dormitories, or a rented share house or apartment somewhere. This makes it especially convenient to slip into our fluffy slippers and let our minds run on autopilot. There are a myriad of procrastinators out there, an entire community if you will. You could be a Scroller, a Napper, an Eater, and heaven knows I’m all three. I’d love to be a Tidier, or a Cleaner, or even a Doodler (at least I’d be productive). It’s not the case that we’re lazy, oh no, God forbid. We simply delay the inevitable. Needless to say, every one of us needs a little nudge to get the job done. Not that we wouldn’t get it done. We’d just get it done at the last possible minute. Knowing adults and experienced veterans chide us and preach about the importance of producing quality work, something unfathomable when rushing an assignment at the eleventh hour. Believe it or not, some high-functioning procrastinators are indeed able to accomplish such incredulous feats. Legend has it that in the last five minutes, they compress all their energy into a concentrated concoction of rugged determination and steely resilience to elicit outstanding results. But these situations are merely legend and occur once in a blue moon. Of course, it is always best to stick to the well-worn path of daily hard work, of good old blood and sweat. Discipline. Discipline is always the antidote the doctor prescribes, but you can never find it on any shelf at the pharmacy. It comes from within, and it needs to be nurtured and tended to, not unlike keeping a low flame alight. Not to worry, my fellow people. We’ll get it someday. But for now, we’ll do it tomorrow.
isabelle yuen
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CISA 2018 A Special Journey in Cairns The Council of International Student Australia (CISA) is the national peak student representative organisation for international students studying at a postgraduate, undergraduate, private college, TAFE, ELICOS and foundation level. CISA was inaugurated in 2010 at University of Tasmania through the joint efforts of the National Union of Student (NUS), Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) and the Australian Federation of International Students (AFIS) to form a unified voice for all international students. At a national level, CISA lobbies the federal government, peak education sector bodies and interact with international education organisations from other countries.
Between 25th — 27th June 2018, I had the privilege to attend the CISA Annual Conference which was held in Cairns, a beautiful tropical city in Queensland. The topic of the 2018 CISA national conference was “Overcoming Barriers” and all international student leaders as well as various industry leaders came together to collaborate in Cairns to find solutions to the problems and concerns raised by international students all around Australia.
On the first day of the conference, we met Allianz national sales manager Mary Pozzobon, who has had 22 years’ experience in international education. She has played a vital role in bringing many of Allianz’s services to international students with all the information for students readily available online. (https://allianzassistancehealth.com.au/en/keepinghealthy-in-australia/). She provided an insight into health trends, and medical conditions reflecting the demographics of international students. She stressed many issues faced by international students relating to health issues and situations that they might face. She recommended that as international student leaders, we should use media channels to engage, encourage and educate international students to use the GP service at medical centres to be treated. It is important to disseminate the information that After Hour GPs are also available should anyone need medical attention after hours, even if it is to do with a mental health condition. Sometimes if you are unable to find the booking, go to the medical centre and the nurses are also professionals who can help. In the session, Mary brought up some extremely important topics such as mental wellness, sexual health and accidents. Beyond health related issues, CISA also presented a workshop through a leadership session on sexual heath and sexual harassment issues which are on a rise around Australia.
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26th of June is the main day of the national conference. Jo Wooler as the first speaker, inspired us through her adventures in life based around the ocean and the creatures within. She is an internationally acclaimed sculptress and has been designing and creating superlative sculptures from marine grade stainless steel since 2000. Her opening speech encouraged all of us to find something that we really love. She enjoys her current work because of her childhood. Her passion is to empower others to live a life they love. Throughout the rest of the day, there were various workshops and presentations that you could attend based on your interests. The presentations ranged from “working with government and law enforcement to build the capacity of your student association”, “using data to eliminate barriers for international students”, “collaboration with middlemen”, “sexual violence among international students” and “working rights and entitlements” etc. These sessions were full of information and open discussions. They provided a good means for communication amongst politicians, governors, industrial managers, and students.
27th of June, the last day of conference, still saw an abundance of workshops being run. The topics were focusing on affordable accommodation, leadership in future, how to make complaints when you feel that something unjustifiable has been done against you, and how we can increase and bridge the gap of shared experiences between international students and domestic students. At night, during Conference Gala Dinner was extremely lively and this was the last event of the whole conference. It was a good winddown session after 3 days of back to back workshops and presentations. CISA is a good platform which is allows for international students from all around Australia to connect and learn from each other on how to better the lives of fellow international students.
I feel honoured to have been able to attend such a meaningful event with aligns with my passion for fighting for the rights of International students. It gave me a reality check in regards to the work I do with the UWA Guild and how ISS serves and delivers to the International Student population at UWA. ISS is a department which is understands your needs and worries as we ourselves as a committee are all international students and have all been through the struggles. Whenever you have any questions or concerns, one of the most important survival tips in Australia is asking for help and consulting people. Know that we are always here to help you and guide you through your university journey.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ SERVICE EVENTS CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/UWAInternationalStudentsService/
IF YOU HAVE ANY ENQUIRERS, YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT THE ISS DIRECTOR AT: ISS@guild.uwa.edu.au
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