More Than a Degree: A Journey of Learning, Growth, and Resilience

For many international students, Australia represents an exciting opportunity; the chance to gain an internationally recognised qualification, experience a multicultural society, build new connections and create possibilities for the future.

I came to Australia to pursue my PhD, and like many international students, I arrived with goals and expectations for what the journey might look like. What I couldn't fully anticipate was just how much the experience would require of me beyond academics. I began my doctoral studies during the COVID-19 period, when international students were facing an extraordinary level of uncertainty. Social restrictions limited opportunities to connect with other students and experience university life in the way many of us had imagined. There were concerns about health, travel, employment and the wellbeing of family, all while trying to manage the normal academic pressures of doctoral research.

At times, the journey felt isolating. Progress wasn't always easy or immediately visible, and I was learning how to navigate life in a new country while managing demanding research responsibilities. It was during this period that I began to understand just how important resilience and consistently working towards my future would become.

What Resilience Looked Like for Me

Resilience didn't mean that difficulties, stress or disappointment disappeared. For me, it meant continuing to move forward when things were difficult, remaining committed to my long-term goals and being willing to seek support when I needed it. There were periods of uncertainty and times when progress felt slow, but I learned that progress does not always have to be immediately visible for it to be happening.

Eventually, I completed my doctoral studies and received an Examiners’ Commendation for Outstanding Thesis. It was an achievement I was extremely proud of, both because of what it said about the quality of my research and because I knew what it had taken to get there. Behind that achievement were years of hard work, persistence and navigating challenges that wouldn't necessarily be visible to someone looking only at the final result.

I believe this is something many international students can relate to. We often see the graduation photographs, qualifications and career milestones, but we don't always see everything that happened behind them: the uncertainty, adjustments, sacrifices and moments when someone had to find the motivation to keep going. For me, resilience became less about avoiding difficult periods and more about learning how to continue through them while keeping sight of the future I was working towards.

Adjusting to More Than a University

Moving to another country to study isn't simply about adjusting to a new university. International students may be navigating unfamiliar academic expectations, different systems, language barriers and cultural differences at the same time. Even things that once felt simple can require adjustment when you are doing them in an unfamiliar environment. Confidence can also take time to develop, and for many students, it grows gradually through speaking up in class, having conversations with lecturers, participating in group work, meeting students from different backgrounds and becoming more comfortable navigating their new environment.

One lesson I learned from my own experience is the importance of being willing to access support when it is needed. Universities provide different forms of academic and student support, and seeking help early can prevent smaller difficulties from becoming overwhelming. It can sometimes be tempting to think that we should already know how things work or be able to figure everything out ourselves, but adjusting to a new country and a different education system takes time. There is nothing wrong with asking questions, seeking guidance or acknowledging that you are still learning how to navigate your new environment. That, too, is part of the international student journey.

When Your Family Is Making the Journey Too

For international students who come to Australia with a spouse and children, the experience has another dimension. I wasn't only a PhD student; I was also a husband and a father. That meant research deadlines had to exist alongside employment, childcare, household responsibilities and family time. Balancing these different parts of my life was one of the greatest challenges I experienced during my studies, and I quickly learned that balance doesn't necessarily mean giving equal time to everything every day.

There were periods when demanding academic deadlines meant I needed to protect more time for study, while at other times, my family needed more of my attention. What mattered was recognising that my family was also experiencing this journey with me. The international student experience doesn't affect only the person enrolled at the university. Partners and children are also adapting to a new country, new routines and, in many cases, making their own sacrifices along the way. This made communication, patience and mutual support incredibly important for us as a family.

Looking back, I also recognise how important my family's support was throughout my studies. Their patience and understanding helped me manage the competing demands of study, work and family life, particularly during the more challenging periods. Their support was not separate from my academic journey; it was part of what made completing it possible.

The Financial Reality Matters

Financial pressure is another reality that international students need to prepare for, particularly because tuition fees represent only one part of the overall cost of studying and living in Australia. In addition to tuition, students need to consider accommodation, food, transport, utilities, health insurance and other everyday expenses.

Accommodation is likely to be one of the most significant expenses, and costs can vary considerably depending on the city, type of accommodation and individual circumstances. The Australian Government's Study Australia Cost of Living Calculator can help prospective students develop a more realistic picture of what living in Australia might cost based on their own circumstances.

Financial preparation is also part of the student visa process. At the time of writing, international student visa applicants are required to provide evidence of at least AUD $29,710 in financial capacity, alongside other applicable costs such as travel and course fees. However, actual living expenses will vary depending on factors such as location, accommodation, lifestyle and individual circumstances, and may be higher than this amount. For students travelling with a spouse or children, careful financial planning becomes even more important because the costs and responsibilities extend beyond the student alone.

For me, the bigger lesson is the importance of arriving with realistic expectations. Understanding the likely cost of living before making the move can help students and their families plan more carefully and make informed decisions about accommodation, employment and everyday expenses. Part-time employment may help support the student journey, but it is also important to remember the primary reason for coming to Australia: to study and gain an education. Planning financially before arriving can make it easier to keep that purpose at the centre of the experience.

What I Would Tell Someone Preparing for This Journey

Australia continues to attract international students from around the world. In the first five months of 2026, approximately 680,000 international students studied in Australia, while the 2024 Student Experience Survey found that more than 92 per cent of international undergraduate and postgraduate students rated their living experience positively. These figures tell us something about the opportunities and experiences Australia can offer, but statistics cannot fully capture what it means for an individual to leave behind what is familiar, adjust to a different country and education system, and begin building a life somewhere new. Every international student's experience will be different, and there will likely be challenges alongside the opportunities.

If I were speaking to someone preparing to make that journey today, I would share three lessons from my own experience:

• Arrive with realistic expectations. There will be opportunities, but there may also be challenges and periods when the experience doesn't quite look or feel the way you imagined it would.

• Remain resilient when progress feels slow. Not every step forward will be immediately visible, and difficult periods don't mean you aren't making progress.

• Keep your education at the centre of your decisions. Work and other responsibilities may become part of the journey, but it is important not to lose sight of the reason you came to study in the first place.

  
  

And if you are making the journey with a partner or children, I would add one more lesson: remember that your family is making the journey with you. Their patience, sacrifices and support become part of the experience too and making space for their needs while pursuing your own goals is an important part of navigating the journey together.

More Than the Qualification

When I look back now, completing my PhD and receiving an Examiners’ Commendation for Outstanding Thesis will always be an achievement I am proud of. But what I gained from the experience goes beyond the qualification itself. Moving to another country, undertaking doctoral research during an uncertain period, and navigating study alongside my responsibilities as a husband and father shaped me in ways I could not have anticipated when I began.

For me, Australia became more than the place where I earned a degree. It became part of an important chapter in my life, one that challenged me personally and academically and gave me experiences that will remain with me long after graduation. For anyone considering a similar journey, my hope is that you approach it with ambition, but also with realistic expectations about what it may require of you. The qualification may be what brings you to Australia, but the person you become, the experiences you gain and the lessons you carry forward can be just as valuable as the degree itself.

Yours truly,

Dr Udaya Rathnayake