Advice from Counsellors on Studying Abroad

I grew up with the dream of studying abroad. My brother went to study in Canada and that sparked the idea within me too. Another big reason was my interest in psychology, which was not offered by many universities in Malaysia at the time. I thought that studying abroad would give me better options, better exposure, and a view of how other countries explore this field. I got to explore a whole new country and grew up being more independent. It was a whole new experience that really shaped who I am today.

I’m going to be very honest and say that my initial plan was to go to Canada, not Australia. I studied for an OSSD Ontario Secondary Diploma in Malaysia that was offered by a private college. My initial plan was to complete grade 12 and come to Canada for my bachelor’s. However, when I graduated in December, I realized that the next intake at most good Canadian universities was September, almost a year away. It’s why I began exploring other options and settled upon Australia.

Once I made up my mind, I began checking out the top universities in Australia, which was close to 40. I checked their rankings and looked at my own results to gauge my chances of acceptance. I then looked at fees to see if I could afford it. Australia is a well-known destination, and my parents have friends and relatives who studied or live there, so I also turned to them for advice.

My college had a student placement service, which is like education counselling. They guided us on choices, admission requirements, and how to choose a city based on personal preferences.

I went in February 2012 and loved it from the moment I landed. I landed in Canberra during the fall, so it was autumn in Australia. Malaysia is hot, so my first impression of a new country involved falling leaves; everything felt so different.

Studying abroad is fun, but it can be tough. And when we talk about studying abroad, students often make these decisions when they are young. You dream of freedom, and getting out of the house, and having a whole new life, which is exciting. It's not going to be that easy though, because you are on your own and you must learn to control your expenses. You try and save money and balance the expectations of family and friends.

I did not do well transitioning from Malaysia during my first semester. It’s a different environment where you move from being spoon-fed to studying on your own. No one cares if you do your assignment or attend classes, so you must set your own pace. This is common for most international students who get a reality check in their first year. It’s what I always share with my students when I talk to them, even while telling them that studying abroad is one of the best life experiences I have had.

I did part-time work to gain some experience but more to have extra pocket money and a good meal without the guilt of spending my parents’ money.

The nicest thing is you get to meet a lot of people from all around the world. If I were to stay in Malaysia, I would hang out with old friends but not have any exposure to the so-called global village. After I studied abroad, I realized how I used to have this ‘tunnel vision’ and stereotypes about different cultures.

When you throw yourself out there, you talk to a lot of people. I met my best friend in university 13 years ago — that is the most valuable thing I gained by studying abroad; it’s not just about a degree. Of course, I learned something and earned my degree. I have that diploma in my folder, but it’s not just about that. The people and experiences are the most valuable things you can get.

As for the hardest thing, self-discipline is important because you are no longer under supervision. Self-control is hard, be it while studying or managing a budget. Control over what you do can shape your future 20 years down the road and determine if you will be a successful human being.

Embrace the experience. Embrace the culture. Make use of your time here. Go out and do something. Don’t stay at home just because it’s snowing. Go out and try some activities, meet people, and build your connections. They are going to be your assets when you are out of college. This advice holds true irrespective of where you go, be it Canada, Australia, or the UK.

Getting to study abroad is a rare opportunity that turns into a memory for life. Going from one corner of the world to another, the weather and geographical landscape of Australia will amaze you, but homesickness will also hit differently. Make sure you do regular check-ins with your close ones back at home.

IDP has decades of global experience helping students achieve their study abroad goals, and now Canadian students can access the same expert support for studying in Australia, the UK, or Ireland.

Whether you connect with an IDP counsellor in Toronto, Vancouver, or online, you’ll get personalized guidance designed to make your study journey smoother and more successful.

Want to know more? Book a free counselling session today!