Studying and working in Kalgoorlie with Luciano

Hi, I'm Luciano and I'm originally from Chile! I first arrived in Australia 3 years ago with a Working Holiday Visa, looking for new international experiences, to visit new places, explore new cultures, and make new networks, all while improving my English. 

At first, I stayed in Melbourne but have lived in different places around Australia since then. I stayed in Alice Springs for 6 months where I explored the deepest parts of the Outback and visited one of the most iconic places: Uluru. After that, I moved to Tasmania, which I loved because the landscapes reminded me of those in my hometown in southern Chile. 

I have always been interested in working as a Mining Engineer due to the strong mining industry in Chile, and in 2020 I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering in Chile. With this background, in May 2024 I decided to move to Kalgoorlie to look for a mining job. Since then I have worked several different casual jobs, like Process Technician at BHP Nickel Smelter, in the services crew at the Super Pit KCGM, Process Technician and Pit Technician at Binduli Norton Gold Fields, and Gold Room Technician at FMR Greenfields Mill. 

I then decided to further my career in mining by studying a professional degree in Australia, and luckily I was living right near one of the best schools of mines in the world, Curtin's School of Mines, which is widely recognised for its prestige in the field. I decided to apply, and I started my Master of Mining Engineering this year while still working on the mines. 

Day in my life as a mining engineering student

My typical day as a student consists of going to classes in the morning and studying in the afternoon, either at home or at the university. 

I start my day early, waking up no later than 5:30am, thanks to my body clock after 2 years of working on the mines. Working on the mines means long 12 hour shifts that usually start at 6:00am, but because the mine site is outside of the city, that usually means wakeups between 4:00am and 4:30am. Even now that I'm a student and work less, I still wake up at that time and go to bed early, no later than 9:00pm. 

When I don't have classes in the morning, I go for a run on the grass soccer field close to my house to try to relax, disconnect from studying and start the day motivated. 

In my free time, the first thing I try to do is call my family back in Chile, especially my daughter and my parents, who are my fuel of motivation when tough moments come up. I also love to go out for coffee and food with my girlfriend - we both love Australia's coffee culture. 

When I have more than 3 days off, like during the semester break, I like to go down to Perth by train. I love this trip because it's almost 7 hours, so you can enjoy the view, watch movies or read a book, and have a coffee from the shop on the train. Another thing we like to do time to time is go to Esperance, which is 4 hours away, and has one of the most stunning beaches I've ever seen, Lucky Bay. We like to relax at the beach and go hiking around there for a few days, it's good therapy and a great way to take a break from studying and working. 

Living in Kalgoorlie

Living in a town like Kalgoorlie means that everything revolves around mining. Most people who come here are seeking jobs in the mines, which is an industry well known for its high salaries. The normal outfit around town is mining clothes - you can see many people in town wearing their uniform to do their day-to-day activities, like grocery shopping or having a drink at the pub. Because so many workers live here, shops open very early at 4:00am so that people can buy things they need before they go to work. 

The fact that Kalgoorlie is a small town makes things easier, for instance everything is within walking distance so I can walk to the uni or to go and get groceries. I love that because I am not a big city lover and it reminds me of my hometown back in Chile. 

Another great advantage of living here is the connection between the university and the industry. The Super Pit KCGM is 5 minutes from town, and there are plenty of mine sites within 20 minutes. Sometimes I am able to ask for permission at work to go to the university to attend an assessment and then come back and keep working. At the university, we have guest speakers from various mining companies every week, and these are great opportunities for learning and networking. 

Working in the mines

Over the last 2 years in Kalgoorlie, I have had the opportunity to work across various mine sites and companies, gaining exposure to processes such as nickel smelting, gold leaching, and gold processing. This has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the mining industry in Australia, its challenges, and its importance at both a local and international level. 

Now that I am a student and work limited hours, I am still doing casual work doing shutdowns several days a week, since I have established a good network within the industry. For example, the recruiters of companies like GPH and Riklan Emergency Services are very kind and help me to find jobs according to my university schedule. 

Once I finish my Master's degree, I plan to apply to graduate programs in mining and start my career as a Mining Engineer in Australia. I've already had such great opportunities during my time in Australia and especially in Kalgoorlie, so I feel optimistic and excited about the future beyond my studies. 

My advice to other international students considering Kalgoorlie

My advice is don't be afraid to leave the big cities and your comfort zone. Living in Perth does come with perks - it's an incredible city with solid infrastructure, plenty of things to do, events every week, the beach, and a big student community. However, living in a regional town has other benefits. Less events means you are forced to spend more quality time with your friends, building deeper connections within the community. You also get more of a taste of Australian culture, and people in small towns still preserve traditions that you might not see in big cities. Life is simpler and quieter, which for me is a huge benefit. 

I couldn't be more grateful for Kalgoorlie. The most rewarding part has been the amazing opportunities I have had while living here. These experiences allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and it opened the door to the mining industry, which was one of my dreams when I was living in Chile. And of course I can't forget the people that I've met and the good friends I've made along the way. I'm looking forward to the future in Kalgoorlie over the next 2 years that I will be studying here!