How to Meet Aussies

An Interview with Sui Li Khoo, a 2nd year Chemical Engineering Student from Malaysia and Singapore. 

OSA: When you came to Australia how did you meet people?

Sui: The thing is that when I came here I didn't have any friends that came with me so I was in a really lonely and desperate situation. I told myself that I am going to go out there and meet whoever I can and just make the best of it. And so I made sure that I went to all the orientation events, so I got to know as many people as I could. I remember going down to Victor Harbour and Glenelg. I stayed in one for three months. You get a lot of people from all around the world. So I had friends from Canada and Germany, Singapore and Malaysia as well. So you just meet people from an international background initially. 

OSA: How did you first approach those people? 

Sui: You just kind of ask, "How are you?", "Where are you from?", "What are you studying?". You start with normal basic questions and then move on to "What kind of music do you like?", "Oh, did you watch that movie?", that kind of thing. You need to put in some effort. With international students you are all in a new country as well so everyone is curious..The week before Uni starts there is the SAUA orientation. I went to that with my new international friends. Initially I was just hanging out with all these new people from different countries, but then Uni started and we were all in different courses. I am in Engineering where a large number of students are local students. I didn't know anybody at all so I went in and just sat next to somebody and said "Hi, how are you?" and started talking to them. Australians are generally really friendly. If you start up a conversation they will respond. Some are friendlier than others and some are quieter, but they still respond and chat with you. It was really hard because in first year Engineering the class is big so I found myself sitting next to someone else new every time and I couldn't find the people I had already met.You get to know a lot of people but it was never really personal stuff.you walked past and said "hi", but it wouldn't be like you go out with them. Then I met a group of Australian girls. We started meeting outside class before we went to the lectures and started hanging out a lot. And then we would ask "What is your next class?" and if they had an hour break then we would go and have lunch together. So you start doing those things together. It kind of grows and grows.. As you get to know each other you exchange mobile numbers, and go to the occasional movie and stuff like that. This year my Chemical Engineering class is really small with only 50 people and we all get along. That is really helpful. Last year was really good; I went to a lot of parties and met heaps of people, but this year I started to find friends that I could really relate to. Especially if you do the same course and you do the same homework, and you are stuck in the Computer Suite doing the same assignments and you help one another. So that helps a lot.

OSA: Do you drink? Would it be harder for you if you didn't drink? 

Sui: Yes I do. I've got some friends, some of my Australian friends that don't drink. They prefer to go to the movies, or have a pizza night, or have a picnic down on the Torrens. So they have different activities. Then I have some other friends, and they meet every Thursday night at PJ O'Brien's and get the special drink deals. It just depends on what people like to do. I am quite flexible. I just like to hang out with people. Whatever the activity I am game for it. 

OSA: Why do you think that some international students don't meet many people?

Sui: In think..I don't know. When I first went in this year, in class, you could tell there was this big barrier between local students and international students, it was very prominent. I think some of the international students are very happy and comfortable with their own group of friends. They speak the same way and have got common things. So I think a lot of people are reluctant to break out of it. I talked to one of my friends and she said that she tried but found it really hard and so she just gave up. 

OSA:Why do you think it hasn't been that hard for you?

Sui: I think that I was lucky because the people that I met were really friendly. And after like a week or two they got my phone number and they asked me out to parties and every time I walked past they would all be hanging out and I would walk up and they would say "Oh we are going to watch a movie this Saturday, come and join us". You have to just walk up to them and not be shy and say, "Hey, how are you doing?" As long as you make some sort of effort they will include you. As long as you are friendly enough and you seem outgoing enough.

OSA: Have you played any sports here or joined any clubs?

Sui: I got involved with the society in Engineering. This year I was elected 2nd year rep. And now I am treasurer. I have got to meet 3rd year and 4th year students, lecturers and Admin. Staff, which has been really good, as sometimes you really need their help. Actually this year I went on a seven-day ski trip organised by the Adelaide Uni Ski Club. I went with a few friends but we split up to meet other people. It was basically all Australians. It is different. I can understand why international students would feel a little bit uncomfortable when it is their first experience here and it is all about drinking. 

OSA: And your English is pretty good as well.

Sui: Probably, but I know people that don't speak that well and have still been able to connect pretty well with Australians. It depends on how comfortable you feel and how much you want to put yourself out there and just experience a different culture and a different variety of friends. 

OSA: Was that one of your goals when you came to Australia?

Sui: Yes, definitely. Because if I come to Australia and I just study here and just end up mixing with international students from Singapore and Malaysia, well I could obviously do that back home. Because I am paying so much higher fees I am looking for something more than just a university degree, more cultural diversion and immersion and travel as well. 

OSA: And how has it benefited you? Has it been a positive experience?

Sui: Oh definitely. People that have known me since I first came here up until today, tell me "You have changed so much". I think when I came here I was very conservative, I was not very accepting. I remember the first party I went to there were all these people drinking beer and I was a bit worried. You just accept what people do and accept them for who they are. You have people who take drugs and stuff, which is very different because Singapore society is very controlled..And yeah.I think it is a very positive experience because I've found that I have become more cheerful and outgoing. I think that people here are so chilled and laid back. I have become friendlier as well, like when I meet people I say, "Oh, hi how's it going?" I think in Singapore you would never do that.

OSA: Have you done any travelling?

Sui: I went on that ski trip. I went to Brisbane back-packing with a couple of friends. Other than that just visiting around Adelaide, drive up to the Barossa Valley in the weekend. Lots of my Australian friends have cars. They are so inviting. I have been to some of my friends' places up in the country in the weekends and in the holidays they invite me to their country homes.There are so many things to do. You get invited to costume parties and things like that, that I would have never done in Singapore. 

OSA: Do you ever invite them to things?

Sui: Yes, I invite people over to birthday parties and things. A few weeks ago I had a Singaporean curry night and invited friends over. Australians can actually eat really spicy food.I have parties occasionally, cocktail parties and have friends over for dinner. I like to cook.

OSA: Thanks for sharing your experience Sui.