Name: Tay Xin Yi
Year of Graduation from TJC: 2021
Current Uni: University of Sydney
Current Major: Bachelors of Science (Double Major in Food Science and Marketing)
Current year in Uni: 2
Background
Give a brief background about yourself and what you did in TJC!
I graduated TJ back in 2021. I did PCME as my subject combi and was also part of the Badminton Team in TJ! I also took up leadership roles such as becoming badminton captain for our school's badminton team.
Why did you choose to study overseas? / Why did you choose University of Sydney?
I chose to study overseas as I was not given many choices regarding the degree I could pursue if I were to go to a local university. In University of Sydney, I was given the flexibility to have two majors of my choice and at the same time, pursue something of my interest.
Applications
What was the application process like?
I went through IDP, which is an overseas university consultant company who took me through the process of applications. Hence my application process was relatively smooth sailing as they will take care of school applications, applying for student visa and helping you find the best accommodation possible!
Provide a rough timeline of key events (admissions, application for accommodations, departure / moving in)!
Applications for me took about two months! I applied for University of Sydney, University of Queensland and Deakin University in Feb and all got back to me within the first week of April. Keep in mind that I applied to enrol in the second semester back in 2022 hence my application replies were faster! If you were to apply for a next year intake, the application duration might differ. School started in August so I moved to Sydney two weeks before to settle down and get ready for school.
First impressions
How did it feel the first week you were there?
I had really bad homesickness in the first week HAHAHAHA so it was a lot of trying to get used to living alone, cooking for myself and being in a whole new different country with little to no connections. It felt really lonely at times but it gets better after you learn to love your own company!
These are some pictures of my school compound that I took the first week I was there!
What were some of the surprises / shocks you experienced?
The culture is really laid back and a lot of emphasis on independence and planning your own schedules. As for my classes, none were pre selected for me so I had to plan and make my own timetable! Everyone is also very friendly here which is something I feel is very different from Singaporean culture. It is really easy to just have a chat with someone you just met and conversations are always pleasant.
How did you make friends?
I joined the Singapore Society in my university and went to some of the events to socialise! Other than that, I made my local Australian friends through school by being in the same class or in the same group project.
What was the first week of school like?
First week of school was very chill! It was just introductory classes and orientation! Different sports and social club events would have their booths set up on campus for you to take a look and join if you are interested!
Experience
Is it lonely / scary being so far away from everything you’re familiar with in Singapore?
It definitely takes awhile to get used to it but it gets better once you start to settle in and find things to keep you busy like finding a new hobby and exploring the different places in sydney! Sydney has beautiful landscapes and beaches that you cannot find in Singapore and many activities such as weekend markets to keep you occupied during the weekends! Once you have made a group of friends, life becomes so much more enjoyable and less lonely!
How’s the community like there?
As much as there is a level of competitiveness in uni, everyone is very supportive of one another and is always willing to help whenever they see someone in need! Everyone is also very friendly! It just makes you feel included and have a sense of belonging in the country.
How’s the academics / curriculum like?
For the University of Sydney, our semesters are 13 weeks long, which are a little longer compared to other Australian Unis. I would say the academic rigour is similar to Singapore but as long as you know how to plan your schedule out well, you will be able to manage!
Is it safe? Are there strikes and protests?
There are strikes and protests mainly just regarding the pay and welfare of workers so sometimes trains or schools will go on strike. Sydney is relatively safe! Just be sure to not walk alone at night and always tell someone about your whereabouts!
What are your weekly expenses like? How much do you spend on leisure and travel as well?
In general, I spent most of my expenses on groceries and dining out. Mainly food HAHAHA
It's quite expensive to dine out often in Sydney and so I often prep my meals! It's super convenient and efficient and saves me a lot of money especially when I'm living alone.
Advice
Any advice that you would like to give to juniors who are interested in studying abroad?
I would say studying overseas is definitely an eye opening experience. It's definitely worth trying if you are sure of what you would like to pursue as moving to another country is a pretty tough decision to make especially when you are alone! Being overseas opens many doors and provides you with so many new experiences that you would never have thought of. Personally, it really helped me grow as a person. It has really taught me that I am in charge of my own decisions and I really have to put myself out there to socialise and make connections! This seems hard at first (trust me it took me awhile) but it gets better and I very much enjoy studying overseas and having the freedom and independence that comes with it.
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