“I really enjoy life in Perth. The sun is always shining here. It helps your mood! When I wake up and see the sun I just feel as though it’s going to be a good day.

“People here are really nice and so helpful. Particularly when I first arrived on campus, people were so friendly and quick to help if I needed it. Making friends on my course has been easy – I sit next to someone and they just start talking!

“Perth is very laid back compared to the UK. I’m from northwest London and back home things are very rushed, everyone is always let’s go let’s go, it’s hustle-y. Here, things are much more laid-back. It’s more of an early morning vibe. Things open earlier, but close earlier too. A lot of the stores here close around 6pm – at home Asda is 24 hours! It’s made me more organised, because I know I have to get up to get all the things I need done in my day done. I have to get to the supermarket to get my groceries before it shuts at 6!

“In the beginning I dreaded getting up early but now I get up and I love the fresh air, I found out I love the morning.

“I got in touch with Study Options after I got my A-level results. Earlier that summer I spent a month in Australia on holiday – my uncle and his family live in Melbourne. He was telling me how great the lifestyle was in Australia. That trip was what made me really think about studying here. My uncle had been suggesting I go to uni here for ages, but it wasn’t until I got to Australia that I really considered it – I just immediately thought, I can see myself here.

“When I got back to London I started talking about studying in Australia and suddenly everyone seemed to have a connection to Perth – family or friends here. I have cousins here too so we called them and asked them for their opinions and experiences and it was all really positive.

“So on results day I thought, I’m going to do it. Then I realised I had no clue how to apply! But the Australian universities put me in touch with Study Options. I emailed them, then had a phone call with Sarah, and suddenly it all felt possible.

“I had places at UK universities through UCAS and I delayed the enrolment deadlines as late as I could. My Australian applications went well and I got my first offer quickly, which was reassuring, and gave me the confidence to turn down my uni place in the UK.

“After that first offer came through, though, there was an issue with my other applications – a problem with the format of the A-level exam board result I had been given. Study Options really helped me, they sorted all that out and I’m so glad they did; I don’t know how I would have handled it otherwise. Study Options dealt with everything – they contacted the exam board, they worked with the university admissions teams, and eventually it got resolved, thanks to them.
“When I arrived that first week for Orientation, I was so confused – the Curtin campus is huge! But the second week I started making friends on my course. My course is really male-dominated, very boy-heavy. There’s probably an 80/20 split most of the time. But when we started having labs and lectures and stuff all us girls would see each other all the time, and just gravitate to each other. There aren’t that many of us! Now we have a really nice big group, there’s always someone to go to the library with, or to sit with in labs.

“During lab sessions there are always tutors walking around, checking if we need any help. I missed a lab one week, which I got really stressed about because that’s where all your work for the week comes from, so if you miss one you’ll definitely be behind for the next. I went to the next class and one of the tutors could see me struggling I think. He sat with me for an hour and helped me to catch up with the previous week’s work, and to get through that week’s as well. There are always five or six tutors walking around, but he just took that time to make sure I wasn’t left behind. He explained everything to me perfectly, step by step. I felt so grateful.

“Our whole group is friends with the tutors; we can talk to them for advice on the major we’re taking, or about studying computer science more generally. I really like that connection.

“Outside of class I’ve been really lucky with my friendship group. My cousins’ friends – lots of them are at Curtin too – have welcomed me into their group, so I’ve got this great set of people, about 15-20 of us. I’ve also joined the Desi Society. They have Indian clubbing nights, Indian music; and I’ve been to the Perth Holi Festival, where you throw colour everywhere. We watch lots of films, we go to the beach to watch the sunset, particularly during the summer. I always take pictures and show my friends back home – look where I am! And Scarborough Beach has a market every Thursday, with food and performances, which is a great place to go and chill.”

Aahuti’s top tips for new students

• You have to be independent here. Be mentally prepared for that – you’re going to be far from home, plus there’s a time difference. So if you have a problem, you can’t just ring home for help, you need to try and work it out by yourself.
• Be open minded, be open to new experiences. Things are going to be different to home!
• Particularly for anyone from a city like London, public transport isn’t as good here. Be ready for that – check times because there won’t be a train or a bus coming through every couple of minutes. But if you live on campus you won’t need to worry at all – and you won’t need a car.
• I feel very safe on public transport here; I take a train and a bus to uni. There are lots of TransPerth officers on the trains and the buses after 6pm. Compared to TFL in London at home, there’s always a member of staff around that you can ask. It makes me feel safe.
• Curtin run regular trips around WA – to places like Rottnest Island – that any student can sign up for; they are great.