The title is really self-explanatory. But just to reemphasise my excitement, yeee I have officially been in Canberra for a month and surviving.

One of the first things we do in Canberra as AAS recipients is to attend Introductory Academic Program (IAP) course that last for over a month. In IAP there is one activity that really validates the whole blogging thing that I used to do in my undergrad, and that’s the reflective journal that we are assigned to do every single day of the course. Unlike my unworthy blogs, now were are given prompts for each reflection.

This is not part of the assignment. But I feel like doing my old routine again. So, this is my reflective journal for my first month in Canberra.

#1 The bush city

Geographically speaking, Canberra is situated in the middle of bushes. Everyone can see this very clearly from the top of Mt. Ainslie. That being said, I am far from disappointed by this fact. Yes, Canberra is not as vibrant as Sidney or Melbourne, in fact it is very very quiet, but hey, I have everything that I need here. I like the fact that the city has so many suburbs and they are all very well equipped with schools, parks, shops and etc., And I am here to study, so this should be the best place to study, right? Less distraction, more time to focus on studying.

#2 Call me by my first name

One of the things we learn in IAP class is about power distance or people’s relationship to authority. Here in Australia people do not address their bosses, teachers, or any superiors with “a title” that will uplift their status. They simply call them by their first name. Coming from Indonesia, this required a big adjustment for me. I will never imagine this happening in Indonesia.

#3 Taping is paying

When you are at the shop and would like to check out using debit card, you won’t be required to input your pin. You simply tap your debit card and it is done. Of course I am paranoid and worried if my card get stolen and anybody can just use it because it shops won’t need any pin. But I am  gonna try to live by it.

#4 Are Kangaroo and Koala all burnt?

I have been here for a month and I have only seen kangaroo two times. I thought they were everywhere. Many they were. Has the bushfire impacted their existence?

#5 Thinking of deleting your facebook? Wait until come to Oz.

Facebook is still a big thing in Australia, or to be exact at ANU. All the clubs and social media groups happen on facebook. So, unfortunately I have to use my FB again. And, I just knew this magical site called marketplace where people sell or give up their old stuffs like furniture, bag, or even electronics and it’s on facebook too. I am telling you, I have got so many freebies through this platform.

#6 Gumtree

Just like marketplace, gumtree is a real savior. I got my bed for free and the family who gave me my queen bed were such an angel, they even delivered it right to my bedroom.

#7 No sustainability bullshit  

Having worked in the area of sustainability, I could say that Indonesian level of commitment to sustainability is still in the bullshit level. Meaning that, yes many NGOs and CSOs advocate for it and really really do real job about it, but the active role from the government is left at the bare minimum. All ministries talk about it in many of their events, but I don’t see anything done in the community level. My argument could be baseless and I am really glad to be proven wrong. But, last time I checked, I have not seen garbage can in housing complexes with different labels (compost, recycle, etc). Here (you have all the right to say: It’s unfair to compare two countries) you have: 1, free filtered water installed in all areas of the city which makes bringing tumbler really worth it. 2, In addition to the normal waste containers, they also have a special container for electronic waste. Brilliant, right? 3, Majority of the people if not all are well educated on sustainability matter. So yeah, no sustainability bullshit.

#8 Preloveds or secondhand stuffs are not garbage

In Canberra if you want to find cheap but okay quality clothes or furnitures, just go to Vinnies and Greenshed. They are all over the city and it’s good for the environment. Plus, you can minimise your spending.

This is just my first month. List is definitely going to get longer.

(first draft, need to check it again for misspelling and etc. My fingers have a habit of not coordinating my thoughts)  

Pre Departure Training Journey - University Information Day

Satu dari banyak hal yang membuat beasiswa Australia Awards berbeda dari beasiswa lainnya adalah perhatian yang sangat men-detail terhadap kebutuhan awardee. Jika beasiswa lain hanya menyediakan bantuan secara finansial, beasiswa Australia Awards memfasilitasi setiap proses yang dilewati oleh awardee, mulai dari fase pendaftaran, wawancara, pra-keberangkatan, saat berada di Australia, sampai saat kembali ke negara asal. 

Kali ini saya ingin sedikit membahas tentang salah satu fasilitas yang disediakan oleh Australia Awards di fase pra keberangkatan: university information day!

Jika beasiswa lain mengharuskan awardee untuk mencari kampus atau LoA (letter of acceptance) sendiri, Australia Awards malah sebaliknya. Awardee tidak diperkenankan untuk mendaftar sendiri. Pendaftaran kampus dilakukan langsung oleh pihak Australia Awards dengan jalur tersendiri. Dengan sedikit pengecualian untuk calon mahasiswa PhD yang memang harus memiliki dosen pembibing terlebih dahulu. Jadi mereka bisa melakukan kontak dengan kampus tujuan lebih awal. Itu pun nanti akan dikomunikasikan ulang oleh Australia Awards.

Salah satu alasan mengapa seperti ini, karena, lagi-lagi, ini berkaitan dengan fasilitas yang disediakan oleh Australia Awards. Khusus untuk awardee Australia Awards, DFAT menyediakan fasilitas berupa SCO atau Student Contact Officer yang akan melayani semua kebutuhan awardee dan juga menjadi jembatan antara kampus dan DFAT. Nah, jika mendaftar sendiri asumsi saya mungkin SCO tidak akan mendapatkan notice dan bisa saja tidak bisa menikmati fasilitas ini. 

Jika proses pendaftaran kampus saja sudah dianggap luar biasa, tunggu dulu! Itu belum seberapa. Bukan hanya Australia Awards membantu proses pendaftaran kampus, tetapi juga membantu awardee untuk menentukan pilihan. 

Banyak kasus ketika proses pemilihan kampus awardee bingung menentukan pilihan. Informasi di website kampus memang bisa dijadikan acuan. Tetapi terkadang tampilan website yang membingungkan bisa membuat calon mahasiswa kehilangan informasi penting. Untuk menghindari hal tersebut Australia Awards menyediakan satu hari khusus yang disebut University Information Day, dimana representatif kampus-kampus yang ada di Australia dihadirkan disatu lokasi (dalam hal ini Ballroom Ayana Hotel) dan awardee bisa berkonsultasi langsung dengan kampus-kampus tujuan. Setiap awardee diwajibkan berkonsultasi minimal dengan 5 universitas.

Mengerti bahwa ada kemungkin awardee bingung harus mengintrogasi apa saja kepada representatif kampus, di hari jumat sebelumnya awardee sudah dibekali sesi persiapan bertemu dengan represetatif kampus oleh professional college couselor Victor Callan. Bahkan dihari yang sama Victor Callan juga standby dilokasi dan membuka sesi counseling. 

Saya sendiri memilih untuk berkonsultasi dengan 5 kampus: UQ, Unimelb, Usyd, ANU dan UNSW. Bukan urutan berdasarkan preferensi. 

Apakah setelah konsultasi membantu saya dalam menentukan pilihan? Tentu saja! Apakah ada teman-teman yang tambah bingung? Pasti ada. Karena kampus di Australia memang menawarkan program dan keunggulannya masing-masing. Kalau masih bingung bagaimana? Tenang saja. Besok ada sesi khusus yang disebut post course counseling dimana para awardee yang masih bingung atau yang kemarin tergoda bukan karena kebutuhan pengembangan diri tapi tawaran-tawaran lainnya bisa kembali diberikan insight oleh Victor Callan. 

Pilihan saya apa? Let's wait and see!