A Bangladeshi student's Perth journey so far

Hi, I'm Ayesha and I'm an international student from Bangladesh! I'm studying a Master of Predictive Analytics at Curtin University.

When I was choosing my study destination, Perth kept winning my checklist:

• Close to home (emotionally & practically): Perth is only 2 hours ahead of Bangladesh, so calling family was easy.
• A multicultural city: 46.5% of people have both parents born overseas.
• Student budgeting that's not guesswork: I used StudyPerth's cost of living guide and calculator to plan weekly spending properly.
• Savings that add up: WA has discounted student rates on public transport when using a SmartRider - more than 50% off!
• Weather & nature: Perth has a hot, Mediterranean climate with most rainfall in May-October. The fantastic weather means Perth's beautiful beaches have become my reset button.

I arrived in Perth in February 2024 with my heart already halfway here. Back in Bangladesh, I worked as an education counsellor, so I'd seen Perth through highlight reels, friends' shiny sunset photos, and students I'd coached posting their "new life" moments. So I came in expecting the full student-life package: easy friendships, study that felt light, quickly getting a job, and accommodation that would "just work out". Reality was a little different...

Finding part-time work took time, study felt more demanding than I imagined, loneliness showed up even though I'm naturally social, and housing wasn't as simple as scrolling and choosing. But that first chapter isn't about exploring, it's about stabilising. Two years later, I see it clearly: Perth wasn't "hard". I just needed to take the time to build the foundations. Once you build your base, the city becomes exactly what people post about: beautiful, full of opportunity, and genuinely life changing. 

Studying in Perth

Studying at university in Perth has been challenging but in a good way, the kind that stretches you, and then upgrades you. What surprised me most is that the education system here doesn't reward just memorising the content. It rewards understanding, critical thinking, and applying ideas to real problems. You're expected to show how you think, not just what you remember.

Here are my biggest study hacks, especially for new international students.

• Treat the unit outline like a roadmap from Week 1. It tells you exactly how to win the unit.
• Start assignments early and book a consult before you get stuck, it'll save you days of stress. 
• Use study groups. Even one "study buddy" can keep you consistent.
• Don't aim for perfect, aim for weekly progress. Consistency beats last-minute panic every time.
• And the biggest hack I wish I used earlier - your institution's built-in academic support! Curtin University offers things like Peer Academic Mentoring (PAM), UniPASS, and UniSkills. 

Making friends

When it came to making friends, it wasn't just "automatic", but it became easy once I treated it like a lifestyle habit. I've always been curious about new people, cultures, and ideas, so I leaned into that. And honestly, in Australia, networking isn't just social, it's practical. You never know which connection turns into a friendship, a job lead, or a life changing opportunity.

Here's how I made friends, and what I'd recommend to any new international student!

• Sign up for StudyPerth events: networking events, job connect sessions, and fun day trips (like the Mandurah cruise or Lancelin/Pinnacles). It's the easiest place to meet international students in the same "new here" phase. When I'm near the city, I also drop into the StudyPerth Hub for free snacks and coffee, games, and casual conversations that turn into friendships.
• Join cultural communities: being active in the Bangladeshi student community and joining clubs like the Bangladeshi Student Association Curtin University has made me feel comforted and less lonely.
• Show up to "extra" spaces: workshops, volunteering projects, DVCA Student Reference Group, Energy Club WA. These spaces build both friends and professional networks. 
• Use Meetup for hobby-based friends (hiking, photography, book clubs, language exchange): friendships form faster when you already share an interest. 
• Join Volunteering programs like Volunteering WA, GoVolunteer, and Red Cross. A small hack that changed everything - don't just attend once; show up twice. Familiar faces become real friends.

Finding work

Finding a job was something that took a little longer than I expected. It took me 2.5 months to land my first role at BP, and that period shook my confidence. But what landed me the job was changing my strategy and using every free resource I could:

• Curtin Career Advice: find out if your institution offers career support services, and book in to speak with someone.
• StudyPerth Job Connect Workshops: this is where I earned certifications like RSA, Barista, and Hotel Operations, and it helped me secure my first job at BP.
• StudyPerth Career Events: StudyPerth runs events with industry partners like Energy Club WA and CPA, which helped me understand the job market and grow my network.

These steps eventually led me to on-campus job opportunities, and now I can proudly say I work as a Future Students Communications Centre Officer at ECU. The same person who once struggled to get a first job here now supports students every day.

Finding support

Of course, moving to a new country isn't without challenges, and my first year in Perth wasn't just "new city excitement". It was real adjustment happening all at once: academic pressure, the weight of expectations, job stress; and then difficult news from home about my father's health. It affected me deeply, but I realised I didn't have to carry it alone. What helped the most was support that's already here (and free):

• Curtin's Psychological & Counselling Services helped me stay grounded when I wasn't coping.
• StudyPerth's free counselling via Sonder gave me 24/7 support, and I could even speak to someone in my own language.

My most important tip is don't wait until things get "too much". Use support early; counselling, accommodation guidance, career services; because they're all there exactly for this transition.

I've been in Perth for over 2 years now, what I love most about it is how multicultural it feels. You meet people from everywhere, hear different stories, and learn from so many cultures without even trying. I genuinely enjoy the diversity in people and the diversity in food; it makes everyday life feel richer, and it helps you feel less alone as an international student. 

Perth is also student-friendly and supportive once you start showing up to events, hubs, clubs, and campus services. It makes settling in and making friends so much easier. My advice: say yes to multicultural spaces, try new foods, and explore early, and Perth will become home much faster than you expect.

I'm grateful for the big wins and the tiny moments; because in international student life, even small progress is a victory. One thing I'm most proud of is how much my whole journey has stayed student-centred. Back home I supported students as an education counsellor, and now I'm here working as a Future Students Communication Centre Officer at ECU and serving as an International Student Ambassador with StudyPerth. Somehow, my world still revolves around students, just in a new country.

If you're moving to Perth to study, my biggest piece of advice is: romanticise later, stabilise first. Your first weeks are for building your base.

Here are 5 things I wish every new student knew:

• Budget weekly (rent + transport + groceries) and plan your study so you don't panic mid-semester.
• Say yes to community early: events, clubs, volunteering; that's where friends and opportunities come from.
• Use support services early, not only when things feel "too much".
• Speak English anyway; confidence comes from repetition, not perfection.
• And emotionally - missing home doesn't mean you're weak, it means you're human.

Studying abroad isn't just changing location, it's rebuilding your life: new systems, new people, new confidence. Some days you'll feel unstoppable, and some days you'll feel unsure. Both are normal. But here's the good part: Perth has space for your growth; and you don't have to do it alone. If you show up, stay curious, and accept support, this city can genuinely change you in the best way.

And if you ever feel behind, remember you crossed oceans to start again. That's not small.