Written by Heyden Guo, Cindy Li and Tianxin Xie A decision that could be considered a cultural phenomenon; adopting new names has the potential to drastically impact the lives of international students in many ways. While most students adopt new names when they move overseas; the few that stick with their given names usually have ones easier to pronounce. It is often difficult for teachers and other international students to get their names right; but of course, some stick to their given names despite this, as the names are often bestowed with a special meaning for the students. IS THIS … Continue reading What’s in a name?

Written by Yihang Zhang and Junyi Ma As a vibrant, multicultural city; Melbourne has quite the reputation for serving as a temporary home to thousands of international students every year. For international students studying in Australia, the geographical location of the southern hemisphere can to some degree create a vast sense of distance for students and their respective homelands. This often intensifies the level of homesickness they already feel being away from their loved ones, and such an illness can affect international students far beyond the bounds of national borders and unfamiliar cultures they find themselves in; far away from … Continue reading There’s No Place Like Home: Seeking Comfort Away from Home 

Written by Graciella Sum, Ryan Leung and Michelle SoMelbourne is a city known for its diverse culture and array of colourful experiences, particularly during the winter months.Bringing the most exciting and unusual adventures; winter in Melbourne is indeed very cold or at least for international students who are not used to the frosty weather conditions. The season is often filled with the warmest activities and coziest hideouts for people to enjoy. From delicious food and drinks to amazing, unforgettable places to visit, here is our guide to a toasty, cold season of winter. NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA180 St Kilda RoadMELBOURNE … Continue reading Stay Toasty!

Written by Changcheng Ma, Jiayi Guo, Yonghan Liu and Jiexi XiaoWelcome to a world of entertainment and laughter! In this not sponsored list, we dive into the realm of captivating variety shows, fascinating television series and cinematic masterpieces that are bound to raise your heart rate and keep your eyes glued open. From sidesplitting comedy to thought-provoking dramas, our selection shifts across genres, ensuring that there is something for everyone. Whether you are in the mood for a hearty dose of humor, a fascinating storyline, or a perfect blend of all, trust us – we have you covered. So, grab … Continue reading Currently Watching: the Top-top-tooop Tier List

Written by Junxi Guo, Jiacan Li and Tianxin Xie A decision that could be considered a cultural phenomenon; adopting new names has the potential to drastically impact the lives of international students in many ways. While most students adopt new names when they move overseas; the few that stick with their given names usually have ones easier to pronounce. It is often difficult for teachers and other international students to get their names right; but of course, some stick to their given names despite this, as the names are often bestowed with a special meaning for the students. There are … Continue reading What’s in a name?

Written by Charmi Jayminbhai Patel, Gweneth Wihardja, Helen Yang and Tianle Zhang Are you often worried about your personal sense of style and fashion? Have you ever woke up in wave of anxiety wondering if you overdid your outfit? Perhaps the color was too bright or the styled pieces were “too much” for school? The rules in fashion are deeper than a dictated dress code. Looks are the factor that often makes or breaks a first impression, despite the increasing value we place on judging a person by their personality first. But often, outer beauty is the only basis for … Continue reading Afraid to be out of fashion?

Written by Akiho Kurihara, Sean Xiao and Stella Hu On almost every corner around campus, it seems that students can always be spotted holding a cup of sweet bubble tea or a can of buzzing energy drinks. Perhaps this might be you or a friend you know; whose love for “liquid energy” is limitless. But “nobody ever wishes they’d slept more during college,”  a tagline used in a Red Bull advertisement targeted towards college students suggests that many university students drink the popular energy drink to stay awake. An example which underlines how popular the energy drink is among college … Continue reading Liquid Energy: the Dangers of Sugary Drinks

Written by Chee Yu Zhen Victoria, Mukhiddnmaulut Abdullakh, Yi Chen Dou and Yuchen Dong Are you a bubble tea fanatic searching for the perfect blend of flavour and texture? Fret not! We’ve scoured Melbourne’s vibrant streets to bring you a definitive list of the city’s bubble tea spots worth checking out; regardless of whether you are a seasoned bubble tea enthusiast or simply curious.  BOBA BEYOND BORDERS: UNITING INTERNATIONAL TASTEBUDS According to Berryman, bubble tea originated in Taiwan since the 1980s. The drink gained popularity in Australia during the late 1990s due to increasing waves of Asian migration as more … Continue reading Bubbling Away: Part I

Written by Jianhao Peng, Kei Yiu Heung, Phuong Nhi Tran and Violani Julia Do you experience déjà vu as an international student? Are you often late for class because you stayed up the night before gaming; only to fall asleep and be woken up by a teacher’s question you can’t answer? The COVID-19 outbreak has forced international students across the globe into a virtual world of learning from their homes. Spending long hours and even whole days in front of the computer quickly became an undesirable situation which made it difficult for many to maintain concentration with their studies. Fast … Continue reading I’m Offline, Now What?