Creating a Scenario of the Future

I will begin my story from today, one of the best parts of my live journey. My being here, my second fruitful chance in Australia to study in one of the most renown research centre for microsimulation, National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM), University of Canberra (UC). It is an essential part of my “chasing the better future” episode.

At my condition now, I’m on my most critical phase but most enjoyable one. I am now spoilt by a great condition of experiencing a very rich stage of one side of my life. What I mean rich is by having lucrative time to learn what I dreamt of and to reap amazing value of being very close to my family day by day. Those two are a real luxury for me. Most of the times, on my weekday in Jakarta, a chance to study could only done simultaneously with my working journey, a direct learning in the battlefield. I hardly ever had a chance to set a proper time to fully concentrate on study. On the other side, time for my family was very limited, even just for having breakfast or dinner with my family. Commuting was one of the consequences of working in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, a densely populated city with an unsupportive infrastructure. Every day, I commuted as early as 5.30 am to my office and arrive home from my office at earliest on 7 pm (which is very rarely happened).

Living in Canberra is the absolute opposite condition to that. Canberra is a well planned and specifically-developed city for the capital of Australia. Here, times are just priceless, we could go easily to anywhere within minutes, we can easily plan several activities in a day. Here a real balance for study and family is freely provided. There are no reasons for a wasted time on the streets, so the challenge here is to make the most out of that luxury chance.

I’ve just done my first year journey in the UC and thanks God all are well. I did well on my research with a very supportive supervisors and research centre. This March 2011 is a month of blessing. There are several happiness resulted from my hard work, I just presented my initial PhD seminar together with the presentation of my preliminary stage of research model. Other happiness came as a result of studying in Canberra. For an Indonesian public officer like me, having experience to discuss directly with the Minister in the department I worked for is a rare chance. But here, again because of Canberra, 2 weeks ago we can get a close chance to discuss the Indonesian ministry of finance reform, directly with the Indonesian Minister of Finance. Thanks UC, Thanks Canberra, I will surely make the most out of my remaining study period.

Salam,

Bimo Wijayanto

(UC International Ambassador, 1^st year PhD Student in Tax Microsimulation Modelling)

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Exciting Experience in Canberra

Hi everyone, I'm a third-year student majoring in Software Engineering in University of Canberra. At first, I totally had no idea of what it would be, how to survive living by myself, not even how to make friends once I arrived in Canberra. But time flies by, like a blink of my eyes and I just realized that it's been 15 months since I've been here. I've experienced lots of new things since I came here, and working in Canberra is one of those interesting things.

My first job was as a waitress in Belconnen Food Court, but yeah I quit on the fourth month since I found other exciting jobs. I applied for Student Ambassador position in University of Canberra http://www.canberra.edu.au/student-ambassadors, and for the PALS Leader for Business Statistics in UC as well. All the application well went, and I went to both interview and couple of practice tests for PALS Leader position. Everything went well, then by the last summer vacation (January 2011), I successfully got training for both position. It was really amazing since I will be doing something for myself and others in university.

Week after the training was really awesome since there was an orientation week (or what we usually call o-week) followed by the teaching weeks. I was contributing in the o-week as the Student Ambassador who gave the campus tour (say yeay for the tour along with the orange T-shirt and cowboy hat), and helping new students about some enquiries regarding the uni life. It felt really great while you walk around the uni and people keep asking for your help. You will fell useful by looking at those new faces, and don't forget to put a big shiny smile towards them.

That's not the end of the Student Ambassador duty. We still have shifts in Marketing and International office (7A43), maintaining the blog http://ucinternational.blogspot.com/, and posting some particular events on UC International Student Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/unican.intl and http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27958891867which are important for all of UC students (domestic and international ones). It seemed like I have my own office along with the computer, phone, and other colleagues working together. :)

The other job I'm doing at the moment is PALS Leader for Business Statistics, which I have my own sessions helping other students to get a better knowledge of one particular unit. It was hard at the very first beginning but it seems alright as time passed. It is fun to do whatever you like plus get some idea about how real life gonna be. Well, if I have chance to extend my course, I definitely will do it in University of Canberra and get more experience working in a conducive and friendly environment like UC does.

Tips to get more experience especially for looking a job in UC :

- Check the University of Canberra site regularly http://www.canberra.edu.au/careers and make sure that you don't miss any important position.

- Have heaps of friends (domestic and international), because they probably have ideas where to look for a job.

- Do your best and keep focus on your studies as well. :)

Best of luck and hope to see you around UC real soon..

Cheers,

Ody

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UC Social Soccer

Looking to play soccer and donate for Japan Tsunami at the same time?

Come along to the Social Soccer event at UC, where players of all nationalities are welcome. Feel free to invite your friends. This is a unique opportunity to have fun, get to know each other and most importantly be able to support a greater cause – all donation will go directly to the Red Cross in Japan.

There is no need to book, just come along at the following times:

Sunday, 20 March, 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Sunday, 27 March, 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Where: Oval opposite building 24

For more information, please contact Herwindu 0407 508 031

Event organised by UC College together with the Indonesian Students Society at UC.

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University of Canberra - Indonesia Partnership

Last week, we had a big guest in Canberra, as our Vice President of Indonesia visited Australia, and he also spent two days in Canberra. In addition, he brought some of his ministers such as Mrs. Mari Eka Pangestu, Mr. Agus Martowardoyo, Mr. Muhammad Nuh, and Mr. E. E. Mangindaan.

One of the big agenda discussed in the meeting between the Vice President and Australia's government was about bureaucracy reform in Australia and how it might be a good lesson for Indonesia.

The Vice President visit was very important to strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Australia. Wahyu Setiyono, the lecturer at the faculty of business and government at the University of Canberra had a great plan. She, together with all business and government students from Indonesia initiated to hold a gathering with one of the member of delegation. In the event, she intends to have a discussion about the role of the University of Canberra in contributing to the bureaucracy reform in Indonesia.

For your information, here, we have a sufficient number of staffs and students conducting a research in public reforms. Thus, the partnership will bring a benefit for both parties. As a student from Indonesia, we are also very excited to contribute into the development of Indonesia.

The Gathering has succeeded in inviting Mr. Eddy Purwanto, a Deputy of Governance, Office of the Vice President. From University of Canberra, we had Professor Lawrence Pratchett, Dean of Faculty of Business & Government and Professor Mark Evans, Director of ANZSOG Institute of Governance. 

It was a great meeting, as we can share our research with Mr. Eddy Purwanto. Mr. Purwanto was very happy because some Indonesian students have a research related to the bureaucracy reform. Moreover, Mr. Purwanto also stressed that the partnership between Indonesia and University of Canberra can be developed stronger from now.

Best
Tri

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UC experience

Well...My turn to share some experience during the stay in Australia. Long story

I never thought of studying in Australia or any other English-speaking country before. My second language is French, and I had been pursuing it for 12 years. I always dream about France, and planned to go there after highschool.

Even now I am still unsure about the reason why I turned my eye to Australia. But well, as the time goes by, I have been in this country for over one year. The first day it was raining heavily, the roads deserted and everyone seemed to disappear. That was sad I should admit.

However, while the new semester started, I quickly made new friends who came from various countries. We really had a great time together in University of Canberra College, the study was easy, the teachers were dedicated, and plenty of time to wander around. I specially love the windy Ginninderra lake and the other two lakes in Civic, which turn to be yellowish in autumn and kind of blossoming when it comes to spring. Ginninderra lake also seems to be a great place to do some barbie party, where you can fully lay down on the grass, and taste yummy sausages (Australian typical food I reckon;)) We went to Floriad, admiring fancy and numerous species of flowers. We joined the National Multicultural Festival and found fascinating belly dance, lion dance, African music and even our traditional food!

After one year in University of Canberra College, I transfered to University of Canberra. Probably because of harder program of study, I don't really have too many time to wander around like I did. However, the change brings me new challenge, new knowledge and even new friends. If almost of my friends in UCC are Asians, I begin making friend with more local students. They are really friendly and helpful, willing to help me with my assignments (grammar and spelling check) and even give me some useful shopping tips!

I am living in University of Canberra campus, in a block with 7 local students and 5 international ones. The common room is undoubtedly somewhat untidy, because everyone is lazy to clean up after themselves (Lol). But the stay offers me a another great chance to make new friends, listen to Aussie students' currently hot songs and watch fancy movie together (there is a tivi in the common room for everyone to use). However, sometimes, I still feel a bit hard to catch up with the conversation with local students, not solely because of the language problem, but mostly because of different concerned areas. However, the more I live with them, the more I realise it is not too hard to break the ice. Ah... campus living stays always green, with rabbits and kangaroos and birds. With a bit luck, you can see a pack of kangaroos hopping around ;)

Here are some of my little tips, extracting from my experience:

- do not just stick to your own circle, try to enlarge it as much as you can. It is not really hard to begin a conversation with a strange. What you need are a friendly smile and a will to learn new things and make new friends. That strange maybe just crosses your way and leaves you after a while, but they may stay and color your life with different colors. I did it and it worked ! :D

- try to go to the workshops held by the library if you have spare time. It is worth your time. Even if you can't learn something new, you still have a chance to improve your listening.

-never be shy to ask questions. Teachers and staffs in UC are more than willing to help you. However, how can they know your problem if you don't ask?

-join some club. The information of the clubs available is mostly given out during the orientation week (o-week). Walls and boards also help. Some clubs I know are Conversation club, Noodle club (both are in level C of the refectory), French club (International House on Thursday 7-8), and Commerce society ($5 for the registration)

-keep an eye on the annoucements on the walls, boards located in the library and around UC. You may find some secondhand but good textbooks, job advertisements, or information about a music band's recruitment.

-make a list before you shop. It is a way to save your money and don't buy something just because it is on sales. Manage your budget well during the period when the exchange rate is sky-rocketing :-s

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International Student Ambassador in O week

The good thing about university of Canberra is that the moment you enter the uni there are lots of smiley faces on campus that welcomes you on board. Same was the case with me in February 2010.  I was among those thousands of new students who were just nervous about the upcoming challenge that was burden of master level studies at university level but throughout my o week I was so thoroughly guided and was treated with that much of care and love that I just forgot all my tension and worries and was considering that I am among a family and there are lots of other who are there to be worried for me. 

Being a new student I can’t forget those smiley faces of international student ambassador who were somehow a bridge between us and university and there behavior impressed me that much that beside becoming a graduate of uni i just wanted to become international student ambassador (lol :D) cutting the long story short this year in semester 1 I was also one of those guys wearing orange shirt, a smile on their face and ready to help you.

Previously I was just looking at the outer look of international student ambassador but when I join it I came to know there are lots of efforts behind the outer look of an ambassador and that university of Canberra do care for its students much more than I thought because wearing orange shirt and doing a campus tour or guiding new students in tents are just the final version of all the preparation we made before. I still remember my training day when everyone was coming and was guiding us and training us so that we can guide the new students in the best way. And I think that is the only reason that there are almost 90 nationalities at university of Canberra but still we only look like student of university of Canberra not anyone from anywhere else.

If I quote this year o week and me as international student ambassador as one my best memories and experience then it won’t be wrong as being from a very rural background I was merged in university of Canberra own culture and whenever I have noticed anyone who was just nervous because of  his cultural, environmental, educational gap I used to call him or sit next to him and use introduce him/her with my fellow colleagues who were domestic student ambassadors and I can’t explain his joy and satisfaction but I can feel him that he/she was also like me feeling secure among a family. 

If I am asked that which moment you want live again I will definitely answer that the moment when there was a smile on a previously confuse and nervous student because of me just by talking to him or assuring him that you are in safe hands.

Jawad Khan

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