In Puravida Study we know how difficult it is to take the first step when choosing to study abroad and the uncertainty of what will come next. Therefore, today we are presenting the experience in Australia of Fernanda, a Chilean who has left Chile four years ago to follow her passion to travel and visit Australia, and who considers this country today as her place in the world 🙂 Today she is studying a master’s degree in Sydney, living in a way she never imagined. Beach, surf, yoga and professional growth. Nothing is easy, but it’s worth a try!
Fer, tell us a brief description of you …
My name is Fernanda, I am Chilean, I am 29 years old and today I am studying a Master in Management at the ICMS castle in Manly, Sydney. I am the second of 5 brothers, who are living in Chile with my parents. I am the only one in the family who decided four years ago to sell everything, and start travelling around the world without knowing how much time I was going to take! They are going to be 4 years out of my country, travelling in different parts, but for some reason, I always end up going back to Australia.
Today I am doing a master’s degree in Australia, and with the options that this study and the visa offer me, my future projections are in this country 🙂 I have been living in Manly, Sydney, for two years, although I have been around for almost 4 years in Australia. I have lived in Brisbane, Byron Bay, Perth, travelling whenever I could, although the truth is that Manly sealed my heart!
Why did you decide to study a master in Australia?
First of all, for whatever reason, I always end up coming back to this country since the first time I arrived. I LOVE Australia! So the best place to do my master’s degree was here.
Since I started travelling, I have realized that trying to enter a professional world abroad without a master’s degree is more difficult, you are at a disadvantage. I finished my studies 5 years ago, so a good way to update and deepen my knowledge was through these studies. In addition, I am also aware that with this master it will be much easier to start my way into the professional world in Australia. It was a perfect combination of adding new knowledge, perfecting my English skills, increasing my self-confidence and everything I know how to do, and a good opportunity to enter the professional world in Australia.
Why did you choose to study at ICMS?
I chose ICMS first because of the lifestyle that I wanted to have. From the first time I visited the castle, I said to myself, “I have to study here,” despite having seen other options that I liked. It’s amazing to study in a neighbourhood like Manly, the price in ICMS is more accessible than other universities, the lifestyle of the area and type of program offered, everything seemed perfect. In addition, the visa gave me many advantages, such as having the opportunity to stay after my studies for two extra years to gain professional experience.
What is your master about?
My master is in Management. It is very broad in terms of content, and it gives you various tools on management, leadership, how a business works, economy, finance, marketing. It also has some more specific units about laws, the value chain, innovation, entrepreneurship and how to be a good leader today. Always the studies are well applied, through case analysis, applied to real life.
What are the 3 best things about living in Australia?
Australia seems to be the PERFECT country, it is very difficult to choose only three things 😂. Maybe I could say first “Security”. Not being afraid, and feeling that everything works as it should.
Second, to be able to “live next to the beach”. The people who live near the sea have a different speed, it is a dream place, you live very locally even being in a mega city like Sydney.
Third, the “Latin community” that was formed in Manly. I think it is important to be connected with the roots, and since Australia has become very popular for Chileans lately, I feel very grateful to be surrounded by a community that gives you support and with which we share the same roots. For me, they are like my family.
The truth is that I have travelled a lot, and whenever I have set foot in a new place I have questioned whether I would live there or not. I do not think any place I’ve known so far completes everything as well as Australia, and this experience, with its challenges and advantages, leaves you very well prepared to live anywhere else in the world.
What do you feel have been the main challenges of living in Australia?
I think that the most difficult thing about living in Australia is the fact of being away from home, having to do things for oneself, making decisions for oneself and then being responsible for that. In the end, nobody decides for you, and you have to face the decisions you make. Little by little you create your own life.
On practical issues, I could say that language can be a challenge. English is very difficult at first if you do not know it before. But outside of that, being away from the family is always the most painful, although one also forms here his own family with what helps a lot.
What would you have liked to know before coming to Australia?
The truth is that before coming I already knew everything! 😂 … But maybe now with this new experience of studying, which is very different from the previous ones, I would have liked that some of the student’s agencies that I contacted at the beginning would have given me more information. Especially regarding my visa as a student, but more about the postgraduate visa (which allows me to stay for two more years in Australia working after my studies).
In general, the agencies only advised me with more technical courses, what the majority looked for, but none of them gave me the academic approach that I was looking for. Nobody told me about ICMS for example. Some of them helped me with information about the visa and other course options but in general, the research on what academic options there were and which ones where the ones matching my goals was a job that I had to do by myself.
How did you meet Puravida Study?
I met Puravida Study after I had already applied to my master, but from that moment I realized that this would have been the perfect student agency. The previous agencies did not know how to help me to look for more academic and professional growth as I was dreaming for. Then I learned that the Puravida Study team has much more knowledge about good courses and also academic options, which I think would have saved me a lot of time to investigate by myself having known them before.
Today I am starting to work with the Puravida team, to help all those who want to find an academic course like the one I am taking. I believe that with the bad and good experiences that I had in these years I could help and support all the international students in the way that I would have liked them to help me.
What advice would you give to all those who plan to come to Australia to study, and make their own experience in Australia?
My best advice is to not think about it anymore and come! Then, evaluate the options and define your long or short term visions. Are you coming to study to have a long-term vision in Australia? Or are you looking to have some experience abroad? From my personal experience, in Australia, there are options for everyone. I always thought that being Latin American we had to settle for the most technical jobs that most people do, but I realized that this is not the case and that there are many professional job opportunities. Especially with a study certificate from a school in Australia, the opportunities are endless if one has the desire, the motivation and the tools to follow your dreams.
Determine what you want to do, your goals, and do not doubt it! Australia is the best place in the world for someone looking for a balanced, incredible and dreamed quality of life. I can not imagine living like this in any other place in the world!
This same story could be yours! Write to us and get rid of all doubts about how to study and work in Australia at info@puravidastudy.com.au. Remember that there are many options for courses and studies available, so get in touch with us to help you focus your objectives and plan your studies. If you also want to read about other visa options you can read the article which visa I need to travel, study or work in Australia, or visit our website.
Josefina
An Argentina passionate about travelling, cooking, interested in sustainability and always learning new things. After having travelled and lived in Australia, she is now studying a master's degree in Sydney and sharing her experience with all those who want to come!