O'Week 2019

Belinda from Tasmania, Studying Screen Production

Belinda from Tasmania, Studying Screen Production

I thought it [New College] was either going to be too overwhelming or just everyone keeping to themselves. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but it’s such a community here and people just want to love you and get to know you...

       Belinda from Tasmania, Studying Screen Production

Belinda's Experience:

Hi I’m Belinda, I’m 22 and I’m from Tasmania.

I had my interview over the phone because I lived in Tasmania. When I came over here for my Open day at my uni I asked if I could have a tour and they were very welcoming. It was like “yeah sure, just come on in,” and I got to look around the building; got to see how it functions and just fell in love with the place and I decided to stay.

I come from a small rural town in Tasmania so coming to a building of 250 people that’s bigger than my hometown. So, I thought it was either going to be too overwhelming or just everyone keeping to themselves. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but it’s such a community here and people just want to love you and get to know you and so that made the whole process a lot easier.

I took a bit longer to adjust to college life. O’Week is really fun and it’s the best way to get to know everyone really fast but it is a bit intense. By the Saturday it started to get a lot more chilled. We were doing walks from Bronte to Coogee and it was just a chance to get know other people well.

I’ve been really lucky with my room. I’ve had a window seat which I’ve decked out with fairy lights and cushions, and it’s like my own little study space… I’ve also got a fish, whose name is Jeff Goldfish, who I love. He’s my little buddy.

We also have tutors here, which is great! I’m lucky enough to be part of the tutor team next year. I was inspired by my tutor… she was my creative arts tutor. I went to her with my stresses or just to talk or like, “how do I do this assignment?” which has been really good and nice to have as an option.

We also did these huge productions. We’ve done ‘The Crucible’, we’ve done ‘How to Succeed in Business [Without Really Trying].’ I did props in my first year and sound as well and then this year I got to produce. That was such a big challenge for me that I was very thankful to be a part of.

Everyone just wants to know you and take care of you and have fun with you. It’s something really special and I’m really glad that I am part of. It’s so nice to be surrounded by people of different backgrounds, learn about them and what they value. For me personally, I’ve learnt a lot about Christianity since being here, which I never envisioned myself doing…

Sydney can feel quite isolating but the advantage of coming here is that you know people that you will know for life…