Blogs

Why did I choose to study abroad? 

I chose to study in Australia because it was relatively close to my home in Singapore, which meant I was able to embrace a new culture while still feeling connected to my hometown. I was drawn to Australia’s dedication to sustainability and combating climate change, as well as its emphasis on work-life balance. 

Today, few shifts in technological advancement hold as much promise and potential as the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The rapid and extraordinary advancement we are seeing in this field provides huge opportunities to accelerate human progress, boost scientific discovery and improve the lives of people all around the world.  

Four years, six months and seven days ago I touched down on Canadian soil from the UK for the very first time. Standing in a three-hour queue at immigration after some tough goodbyes and a 13-hour journey alone across the Atlantic, it slowly dawned on me that the hard part may not be entirely over. 

I am presently a tenured professor in the gender, sexuality and women’s studies department at Western University in Canada, where I also hold the Canada research chair in global women’s issues.

I was born in India, educated in India and Canada, and I have had an academic and non-academic career in research and teaching spanning 12 countries on five continents, namely, Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and Latin America and the Caribbean.

I’m originally from rural Limpopo in South Africa where there weren’t many opportunities but there were many challenges. 

If you’re gearing up for a significant move abroad to pursue higher education, allow me to share a glimpse into my journey. I’m Amyrathul Munyra, a Malaysian student currently navigating the world of medical school at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin.  

Reaching out for help can feel stressful and overwhelming, especially if you’ve not spoken to someone personally or face-to-face before. We want to remind you that it’s important to remember that university staff want you to have the best experience and support you however they can. 

My passion for sustainability was ignited during my year abroad at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where I enrolled in my first environmental economics course. It was there that I was struck by the impact of businesses and individuals on climate change and the alarming decline in biodiversity across the globe. 

I’m originally from the US and Vietnam and I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in science, majoring in data science, at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

I chose the University of Melbourne, or Australia in general, as a study destination for the career opportunities. Its proximity to southeast Asia and Asia allowed me to explore ventures that included a lot of the Asia Pacific region.