A day in the life of a queer international student

UQ’s St Lucia campus is a vibrant hub for student life, constantly buzzing with students, market stalls, clubs and lots of ibises.

In the middle of Week 7 exams, I sat down with Elisa, a psychology student from Singapore. As an international student and a young queer woman, knowing how UQ supports student voices was essential to Elisa’s decision to study in Australia. Now as a 3rd-year student, she’s found her groove in Brisbane and was excited to share her daily routine as a queer international student making the most of her time in Australia.

Before class

You're in residence at Grace College. What does a morning look like for you?

My morning mainly consists of me just having breakfast with my friends before class, or sometimes I like to go to the Grace gym. Grace has a really big community of international friends and I have met so many different people from different walks of life, so that is pretty cool. I love a walk through the Great Court too.

Off to class

You head to campus for class. What do your classes look like in Psychology?

Classes for me are pretty fun, with a lot of group discussions, and sometimes we get to do cool experiments in class. 

Favourite subject

Do you have a favourite subject you've undertaken?

I really liked social psychology (PSYC2040) taught by Michael Thai and his team. Classes were really fun and I enjoyed relating my daily life to whatever theories I learnt in class. It also helped give me a different view of why people act in certain ways in our society.

Time for lunch

What's your favourite place on campus to take a break/hang out with mates?

I really like sitting by the lakes at UQ every time I need a breather or just to sit and chill with my mates. Special mention to the 3 pelicans who come by and entertain us all the time!

My afternoon routine

What does an afternoon look like after class?

I usually go sit by the lakes, grab some food and catch up with my friends. Sometimes I also go to the library to study or just hang out with my friends back at college. I also like playing tennis too.

Clubs and societies

Do you attend any UQ clubs? Any favourite memories in these clubs and societies?

As someone who doesn’t attend much of the activities but has heard a lot about them, I definitely do feel supported. UQ and even the colleges do have pride events and it makes it feel like such a welcoming environment. Even in the School of Psychology there are some tutors with the pride pin on their lanyard and it makes it feel like I'm accepted and supported.

Hot tips for queer international students

I also asked Elisa for any tips she had for prospective international students and how to settle into life at UQ.

Be yourself and enjoy your time at university.

There are many resources and people that are available and that can provide you with the support you need. Definitely join a college in your first semester if social interaction is important to you. Thankfully I’ve had relatives who were from UQ and they gave me that same suggestion too! It definitely helps get your university life going and it is so much fun to stay in the same vicinity as your friends. It's like an endless sleepover with so many fun activities to do together.

I also recommend joining different clubs and societies to get to know more people and make university life more interesting. Meeting different people has changed my life a lot, and now I have a reason to visit so many different places all over the world.

Lastly, enjoy your time in Brisbane as an international student!

It’s important to know that UQ is here to help you throughout your transition to living in Australia. From clubs and societies built to form friendships, and support services to help with finances and mental health, there is always someone to talk to. We champion the different voices that make up our community here at UQ, and there is always a place here for you.

Article by Grace Wilson, Bachelor of Advanced Humanities