Settling into Tassie life with Evelyn
Just a taste of Tasmanian life wasn’t enough for Evelyn Pang, who has made the move to the state twice in the past four years!
First arriving in 2019, Evelyn attended high school in Tasmania for six months. She returned home to China for the holidays at the end of the 2019 school year. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that she was unable to return to Australia.
“I had always dreamed of going back to Australia. I had really enjoyed my life here,” says Evelyn.
Moving to Tasmania
In 2021, Evelyn discovered that Elizabeth College in Hobart was offering study options for international students. She immediately applied to be considered, eager to move back.
Her sister was already living and working in Tasmania, and her parents liked the idea of them being able to support each other. Fondly known to Evelyn as ‘Tassie’, she found that she particularly enjoyed the lifestyle and environment it provided.
“I became very interested in the great social and natural environment in Tasmania. It made me want to stay here,” she says.
Making friends
When Evelyn first moved to Tasmania, she found it a little daunting. It can be hard to settle in and make new friends. Luckily, Evelyn found Tasmanian people to be very friendly.
“One of my classmates came and talked to me straight away, and I became friends with her and her other friends. I reckon international students are truly accepted by Aussies,” she says.
Studying in Tasmania
Evelyn is very grateful for her experience of studying at Elizabeth College.
“The teachers are really interesting, experienced and patient. The students are outgoing and easy to cooperate with,” she shares. “Besides that, Elizabeth College provides heaps of activities that make school life fun and exciting.”
While Evelyn studied a variety of subjects during her time at college, she found herself focusing mainly on science-based subjects.
“I decided to study some courses related to medicine. Now I think I can achieve a high enough Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) to study medicine at university.”
Homestay living
When moving to Tasmania to study, you have several different options for where and how you want to live. When Evelyn first moved to Tasmania, she lived with her sister. But when her sister was offered a job in another state, Evelyn had to look into other options. After considering a few alternatives, she decided on a homestay.
“I have lived with two homestay families now,” says Evelyn. “Both experiences were fun, as well as challenging sometimes. A homestay can help students significantly improve their English, connect with local people and experience more authentic Australian culture.”
Coping with homesickness
Missing friends and family back home is a common worry for international students. Luckily, Tasmania’s multiculturalism meant Evelyn was able to enjoy a taste of home easily. She finds that one of the best ways to cheer up is to go out somewhere nice to eat.
“There are many Asian restaurants in Hobart, which makes my belly feel happy when I miss my hometown,” she laughs.
Evelyn also says that the approachable nature of Tasmanian people has helped her to feel at home.
“When I have problems, it is easy for me to turn to people for help,” she says. “This impresses me a lot.”
Highlights of Tasmania
Tasmania is an incredible place. In fact, it has just been voted one of the best places to visit in the world. There is so much to do, from nature hikes to beach hopping, to fabulous eateries and historical sightseeing.
“During the period I lived with my homestay families, they took me to see many historic buildings and do lots of special sightseeing. These are my favourite memories,” says Evelyn.
Advice for international students
Evelyn’s biggest piece of advice for international students is to immerse yourself in Australian culture as much as you can. She highly recommends a homestay if this is an option. She also recommends practising your independence where possible.
“Try to learn cooking by yourself, as you will be living alone after you leave college. Experience as much of the culture as you can and enjoy the lifestyle here. It's so good for you,” she explains.
Future focus
Evelyn has just finished her Year 12 pre-university exams and is now spending time resting and going out with friends and her homestay family.
“Due to the high intensity of studying this year, I did not have much time to go out with friends or my homestay families. So this is a good opportunity to spend time with them. I am still living at my current homestay, and I will stay here until university starts,” she says.
Evelyn is still waiting on her ATAR results, which will help her decide on which university courses will suit her best, but is currently considering a physiotherapy course at university. She also plans to find some part-time work to keep building on her skills and gain some career experience.
“After university, I think I will stay in Australia and continue working here,” she says.