From Vietnam to Australia: Suzee's gained real world experience

Suzee, an international student from Vietnam, recently completed her internship with RMIT Communications, marking a significant milestone in her journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Suzee's journey began with a burning desire to study abroad. In 2021 Suzee was accepted to study a Bachelor of Professional Communications at RMIT Vietnam, she then her sights on Melbourne. After applying to transfer her studies to the RMIT Melbourne campus, Suzee began her studies in Australia in June 2022.

“I was determined to study abroad as soon as I finished high school. I was looking for a different studying experience, a way to get out of the old environment, learn, and be independent,” she said.

“Even when I was enrolled in RMIT Vietnam, I have focused on the pathway to transfer to RMIT Melbourne.”

The transition, however, was not without its challenges. Suzee recalls the emotional turmoil of leaving her family behind and the struggle of adjusting to life alone in a new country. From managing household chores to balancing her studies, the shift to independent living was a steep learning curve.

“I remember how hard I cried when I first said goodbye to my parents at the airport.”

“I had to be a responsible adult, taking care of the house chores, the laundry, and the cooking while managing my studies. When I got sick, I missed my family terribly. In hindsight, these are all funny stories now.”

For all students, it is easy to compare ourselves to other people's milestones and feel pressured or disheartened. My advice is to take people's stories, particularly mine, as a source of motivation rather than comparison. We all live and learn in different ways, and to learn may mean being open to the challenges and the experience awaiting, whether good or bad.

Two images showing young Vietnamese student with her thumbs up smiling and the second image shows the student filming a young girl on campus for a social media post.

Suzee gained real world experience in professional communications when she joined the RMIT Communications team as an intern this year.

Despite the initial hardships, Suzee now looks back at these experiences with a sense of humour and a newfound appreciation for her resilience. After two years in Australia, she admits to feeling the familiar urge to explore new horizons, with Holland being a potential destination for her Master's studies.

Gaining knowledge through real world industry experience

Suzee’s recent internship experience in the RMIT Communications Team has given her a reason to consider staying in Australia.

“I really enjoyed my internship that I recently completed, which makes me want to stay in Australia for a working opportunity."

"If I can secure a job after graduation (fingers-crossed), then I’m happy to stay in Melbourne for a longer while.”

You live, learn, and get used to it, and things eventually turn out alright. I can say that I don’t regret my decision to come Australia.

(L) Suzee and her friends posing at a beach in Sydney (R) Suzee and her friends taking a break from studying leaning over pool table in a bar smiling

(L) Suzee and her friends took a trip to Sydney to see the sights (R) Taking a break from a group assignment with other RMIT students.

Suzee has also found a strong sense of community with other students as a staff member at RMIT Connect.

“My colleagues here are the most amazing, supportive, kind, and friendly people."

"Because they are all students at RMIT it makes me feel more connected to the big community of the university,” she said.

Suzee's journey is a testament to the transformative power of stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing new experiences.

As Suzee continues to navigate her path, she leaves us with a simple yet powerful piece of advice: "Just do it."

03 June 2024

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From Vietnam to Australia: Suzee's gained real world experience