May Ho, originally from Malaysia, has chosen to study a Masters in Creative Writing at Australia's University of Sydney, after studying across the Tasman Sea at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
She has very straightforward advice for any graduate contemplating the move to another country for further study: “Go with an open mind and don’t be afraid of what’s new. You’ll learn a lot more and a lot quicker if you are excited about the new opportunity.”
If you go with this attitude, she says, the rewards you will gain will be worthwhile. “[I gained] an understanding of other cultures, countries, languages and an overall broadening of my view on the world and life, [as well as] a sense of adventure and bravado.”
Broader horizons
After completing her undergraduate degree, a BA in English, May wanted to cast her net wider for her graduate study. “I wanted to try out a new country and a new culture in order to broaden my horizons, especially after having worked, lived and studied in New Zealand, UK and Beijing. Australia seemed a logical choice to continue my learning experience,” she says.
Sydney, Australia was her destination of choice, and Sydney University her chosen institution as she felt it had the best reputation in the city. Choosing to study abroad comes with a long list of things to organize, not least your visa application.
Fortunately for May, her visa application was a relatively simple process, although it did take three months. “The longest hold up was the offer letter from the university, but as the visa application was online for Australia, it made it a lot quicker and more efficient.”
May’s course choice at Sydney University, was based on her love of writing. “I had always wanted to do a master's and the creative writing program is a dream for me - to be a writer. After establishing myself in my marketing career, it seemed like a good time to do this.”
She searched online for creative writing programs, spoke to her creative writing teacher, and Sydney University’s program came highly recommended. Returning to writing academic essays she found quite challenging, but she has relished the variety of thought and debate.
However, she feels there could have been more support. “Being a more mature student I would have appreciated a support/social group for more students like me. A good question to ask any university you are thinking of applying to is what support they offer.”
Making the transition
Having travelled widely internationally and studied in New Zealand, May had no problems fitting in to life 'down under'. “The transition was comfortable for me as I was used to living in a new country and experiencing a new culture. I find it interesting and exciting.”
One thing she did miss was the variety and spiciness of Malaysian food. “However, Sydney being a big cosmopolitan city has many different cuisines on offer: Vietnamese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican etc,” she says.
May has many good memories of living in Sydney: “Hanging out at the beaches: Coogee, Manly and so on; going for walks in The Rocks; looking at the skyline of the Sydney Opera House at night; having a coffee in Glebe; and checking out the markets on a Sunday morning, going to the fish markets and Paddy’s markets for fresh produce.” She also liked the laid-back lifestyle and the great mix of other cultures and races.
Her dislikes included the public transport system in Sydney, which she found “too expensive, out-dated and never on time.”
Another cause for complaint was the difficulty in finding accommodation close to the university. “This is a tricky one as the accommodation market in Sydney is under-supplied and there is over-demand. Nowhere else in the world have I encountered such a system.” May ended up spending about 70% of her budget on accommodation alone.
“My only advice to students who can’t afford to pay exorbitant prices is to live outside of the city where rent is lower and it’s easier to find a place. Otherwise, consider shared accommodation but be smart about who you choose to live with - it can make or break your experience of living here.”
When May finishes her course, she plans to go back to her previous job sector of marketing, but will make an effort to work in the publishing industry, in particular e-books and e-publishing, all the while keeping her eye on her goal of becoming an established and published writer.
But no matter what May ends up doing, it is sure to include more education. “I think education is lifelong learning and one should never stop expanding your mind.”