Asking for help is a strength

The 8 lessons learned by Grace Rebecca during her time as an international student in Perth highlight a journey of personal growth, resilience, and community building:

• Being alone doesn't always mean being lonely: Moving away from a busy household taught her independence. She learned to enjoy her own company, establish routines, and find purpose in small daily achievements.

• Saying "yes" opens doors: Taking the initiative to say hello and participating in group assignments or part-time work helped her build a vital support system of friends who grew alongside her.

• Budgeting is a real learning curve: While initially intending to save, she had to learn the hard way how to balance enjoying Australia's café culture with the reality of managing expenses and prioritising meaningful experiences.

• Asking for help is a strength: Moving past the idea that she had to do everything herself, she discovered that classmates, lecturers, and colleagues were often very willing to assist, making her journey more meaningful.

• Embracing your accent builds confidence: Rather than being shy about how she spoke, she realised her accent was part of her story in a multicultural country. This shift in perspective allowed her to communicate and share ideas more confidently.

• Living abroad teaches resilience: Adapting to everything from a new climate to an unpredictable lifestyle taught her how to stay flexible and grounded.

• Growth is often uncomfortable: She learned that while the hardest moments and periods of doubt don't feel good at the time, they are transformative and move you forward toward clarity and confidence.

• Home is found in people: Ultimately, she discovered that "home" is not just a geographical location, but the community of people you laugh, study, and share milestones with.