Words and art by: Simonette Labiran

I was crazy when I first moved to Melbourne for uni. I’m originally from a small town within Victoria in the Wimmera region where there are only around 1200 people last I heard. It’s mainly known for its agriculture, which is one of the reasons why my family moved there from the Philippines when I was younger. It’s one of those small, quiet towns where everyone knows everyone and everything about you. However, I’ve always wanted to travel and see more of the world, so I made the cliché move to attend uni in Melbourne. Now after living here for nearly three years, all my bad choices and vast new experiences have led me to be a better version of myself. One that I’ve truly grown to love. 

I want to first congratulate myself for overcoming my first enemy after moving: public transport. Everyone who knows me personally is deeply aware of my lack of sense of direction; even with the miracle of Google Maps. My severe lack of navigational skills combined with my lacklustre internet connection meant my first few months in the big city were filled with me constantly going in the wrong direction or arriving at an entirely different suburb. However, this was the best way to find the cool, ‘hidden’ places I’ve heard were throughout the city (some I’m still trying to remember). 

Despite my constant state of being lost, it was also the best way to meet new people! I’ve been able to make so many new, lovely friends that I’ve grown close to while learning their niche hobbies and cultures that I never truly got to know in my small town. Being able to meet all these new, amazing people in my life has certainly proven to me that I am far more extroverted than I ever thought I was. It has encouraged me to try anything and everything new that the city has to offer, especially sports, something I always thought I was simply not made for. I am happy to say that I am still naturally untalented (I am fairly certain that my older sister took all of the athletic genes) but it has made me appreciate my achievements more, like being consistent at the gym or simply trying my best whilst having fun with others. I was able to truly break this perception of myself when I became treasurer for Monash University’s Taekwondo Club during my second year. This led to the opportunity to compete at nationals in UniSport Australia, where I succeeded in getting not one, but two medals!

I am so glad I have been able to grow from my initial introverted and anxious self. Otherwise, I truly may have missed out on meeting my amazing friends and getting to try new things while I study in this everchanging city. I’ve learnt so much about myself in Melbourne and I can’t wait to travel more in the future to see how I’ll evolve again. I encourage everyone to take this as a sign to go sign up for that overseas study trip, or to get lost in a suburb with your friends and get a little treat (I can’t be held responsible for any potentially poor financial decisions) because the city always offers so much fun for everyone. However, the city can never beat the feeling of being home and getting to annoy your friends and family again after a five-hour train ride home through the Victorian countryside.