Studying at Deakin has been one of the best decisions I have ever made

My name is Reinhard and I am from Indonesia. When I first came to Australia, I was enrolled in another university. After realising that I wanted more practical experience out of my studies, I decided to explore other institutions with the help of an education agent. That was when I heard about Deakin and the hands-on learning that the Master of Communication program has to offer. My agent also informed me of the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship that provides eligible international students with a scholarship worth 50% or 100% of tuition fees. This also gives a chance to participate in the Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program (VCPEP) and so I decided to apply.

Fast forward to the present and here I am, a final year scholarship student in Deakin University’s Master of Communication program, specialising in digital media. Believe me, it has been amazing.

Throughout my studies, I have been constantly prompted to create and to practice the concepts taught in class. This has encouraged me to use the knowledge I got in my studies for other aspects of my life. I have always been a generalist who has many (maybe sometimes too many) interests in different things and experiences. I am a psychology graduate with professional experience in event and social media management. I am also passionate about hip hop dance, not just as a hobby but also professionally (how crazy is that?). I find myself going back and forth with the relevant concepts and practices that I’ve learnt through my studies and apply them to these other parts of my life.

These vast opportunities that Australia has to offer have led me to a sense of fulfilment–learning, earning, connecting, growing, and doing what I love to do at the same time.

For instance, my ‘Digital Curation’ unit got me contemplating how I am presenting myself as a dancer in my social media account and the fine line between personal branding and artistic expression. Interesting? Yup, that is going to be the topic of my final professional research project next trimester!

The VCPEP has also guided me to experience the most out of my studies. I was connected with an academic mentor who is always ready to provide me with advice about my studies. The career coaching, development meetings, and annual professional and personal challenges motivated me to push myself outside of my comfort zone and achieve more, not just as a student but also as a person.

I’ve always been a big believer in doing more outside your studies to experience as much as possible. While studying, I do part-time work. It is through my work where I found my close friends (even the best housemate that I’m living with at the moment!). I am also an active member of the Melbourne dance community, teaching dance in several dance studios and being a part of one of the most recognised dance companies in Melbourne. These vast opportunities that Australia has to offer have led me to a sense of fulfilment–learning, earning, connecting, growing and doing what I love to do at the same time.

I have a big dream in the dance industry that I am pursuing, and my studies have been giving me the tools I need to continue on this journey.

Some of you might be able to relate that when we have so many aspects of life to manage at once, planning a trip can be quite a challenge. I did not get to do any trips around Australia in my first year because I was still settling down, but worry not! I have managed to sneak in some time to experience some of the beauty this country has to offer!

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes and challenges in everyone’s lives. However, the amount of support that Deakin University and the Australian Government have given to international students has been amazing.

The new experience of lockdown and the shift of daily activities from in-person to online was a mental struggle for me. On top of that, I was in Australia and worrying about the situation back home. During that time, Deakin allowed me as an international student to reduce my study load, and even take an intermission for the rest of the year. Surprisingly, I was allowed to stay in Australia for that time even though I wasn’t studying full time. The government also provided various financial support for students with reduced income, which helped me get through the situation. All in all, I am astonished by the mental and material support I experienced as an international student in this country.

Now that I am back in school with my graduation approaching, I am looking forward to securing a job in the digital media field while still expanding my dance skills and career in Melbourne. I have a big dream in the dance industry that I am pursuing, and my studies have been giving me the tools I need to continue on this journey.

If you are looking to study abroad and considering coming to Australia, think no more. This country has heaps of goodness and opportunities to offer, even those that do not cross your mind. Studying at Deakin has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I got a chance to reinvent myself, grow as a human being, and experience the array of opportunities this beautiful country has to offer.  If you are looking for practical and hands-on learning like I did, choose Deakin!

Quick links

Learn more about Deakin’s Master of Communication here

Discover Deakin’s range of media and communication degrees here

Learn about the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship here