Speaking from a brutally honest academic perspective, university studies feel like a scam sometimes, especially for an international student like myself. Paying thousands of dollars for about 10 hours of lecture/tutorial/workshop hours a week certainly does not feel like a fair trade. Sure, all teaching staff at UWA are a glorious wealth of knowledge, and most are usually very eager to help, but it does not change the fact that a great bulk of university studies rely very much on self-study.

Nevertheless, UWA provides more than just academic opportunities. There are many events that allow for student networking to occur, and many people have developed lifelong friendships from studies at UWA. There are also Student Guild Volunteering activities that I was able to get involved in, as well as student-run clubs that have given me and many of my friends a gentle sense of belonging (Namely, the UWA Pride Club).

I have therefore come to the realisation that what I’m truly paying for (besides the obvious degree), is the unique student experience of being on campus. Studies at UWA encapsulate so much more than just academic ventures. The connections made with students and teaching staff are, in my humble opinion, the thing of most value when studying at UWA.