Moving away from home for university can be very difficult but incredibly rewarding, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with strong connections to Country and community.
Recent graduate Lachlan Bon moved from Bowen in North Queensland to study at UQ’s St Lucia campus in Brisbane. He explains the challenges of leaving his family, the joys of discovering a new community at UQ, and the support he received along the way.
Thinking of moving away for university yourself? Read on to discover Lachlan’s advice and learn from his experiences.
Easing into university life
For many Indigenous students at UQ, O-Week (orientation week) isn’t the first time they’ve stepped foot onto campus. There are opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students in Years 7-12 to visit UQ through our InspireU program.
Lachlan made the trip down from Bowen to attend InspireU camps, where he got to stay on UQ’s St Lucia campus in student accommodation, experience uni life, and connect with other Indigenous high school students from across Queensland. He says it was these camps that ignited his dream to study at university.
“For the first time, I saw other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students walking proudly on a university campus, thriving in their studies, staying strong in culture, and supporting each other,” he says.
“That moment showed me there was a place for me here.”
Interested in attending an InspireU experience to see if university might be the right fit for you? Check out our upcoming InspireU events.
High school students who attend InspireU experiences maintain strong ties with the friendly staff in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit (ATSIS Unit), who run the program here at UQ. This means when the time comes in Year 12 to apply for university, the team can help with:
- the QTAC application process
- applying for scholarships
- finding accommodation
- figuring out the logistics of moving
- settling into uni life.
For Lachlan, this support was invaluable.
“The InspireU program connected me to the ATSIS Unit and the Student Success Team, and from the moment I started uni, the Unit became my second home,” he says.
“Having that space and support network made the transition to Brisbane so much easier.”
This was especially true when Lachlan realised the program he had enrolled in wasn’t quite the right fit for him, so he turned to the ATSIS unit for advice and assistance.
“My journey was not straightforward,” he says.
“But I always had strong support from the ATSIS Unit, particularly during the transition between degrees.”
Lachlan moved into the Bachelor of Arts where he pursued his interests in Ancient History/History and Media and Digital Cultures. He later went on to study honours with a focus on Communication and Cultural Studies.
Lachlan at his graduation wearing his Torres Strait Islander sash.
Coping with homesickness and change
Even though Lachlan was surrounded by friendly faces and many people eager to offer a helping hand, moving away for university caused moments of nervousness and doubt, particularly in those first few weeks.
“Leaving behind family, community, and everything familiar was daunting,” he says.
“I was nervous about stepping into a big city, figuring out public transport, and meeting new people.
“It felt like I was starting all over again in a place that was completely different from home.”
Feelings of homesickness are common for students moving away from home for university. But Lachlan has a few tips to help you cope.
Visit the ATSIS Unit regularly
The ATSIS Unit isn’t just a team of Indigenous superstars dedicated to helping you thrive – it’s also a physical space specifically for UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on our St Lucia and Gatton campuses.
"I’d be there almost every day, studying, yarning, or just hanging out,” Lachlan says, recounting his initial weeks at uni.
I definitely felt homesick, but what helped was surrounding myself with mob.
The ATSIS Unit hold welcome dinners at the start of every semester for new Indigenous students, which is great way to introduce yourself to the Unit and your peers. You can even bring along a family member or friend for moral support.
Get involved with the Goorie Berrimpa student collective
Goorie Berrimpa is an Indigenous student collective who organise social, sporting and professional events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at UQ. Joining Goorie Berrimpa will help you meet new friends while feeling culturally safe and supported, get involved in social and competitive sports, and attend the annual Goorie Ball or more casual social gatherings.
"Going to Goorie events and being part of that community gave me strength and helped me feel connected even when I was far from home."
Lachlan recounts some of his favourite Goorie Berrimpa memories, placing emphasis on both the big and small moments.
“Representing Goorie and UQ at Indigenous Nationals has taken me across the country and allowed me to meet mob from other universities,” he says.
“The smaller things mean just as much, like movie nights, games nights, or even just playing cards in the Unit.
“Those moments remind you that you are not alone and that you have a community here walking alongside you every step of the way.
"Goorie Berrimpa gave me a second family.”
Lachlan Bon (back middle) pictured with Goorie Goanna teammates upon winning the UQ Sport touch football social competition.
How to move to university: organising the logistics
Lachlan describes finances as the toughest challenge when it came to considering moving away from home for university. But there is financial support available.
“I was fortunate to receive a scholarship that covered my accommodation and meals,” he says.
“That support took away a lot of the stress and allowed me to focus on studying and building a new life in Brisbane.”
Lachlan’s scholarship helped him afford student accommodation at Emmanual College, one of UQ’s many residential colleges on campus at St Lucia. Here, he lived with fellow students, had his meals cooked for him every day and was conveniently close to his classes.
“What made it even more special was meeting and living with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students,” he says.
“That community helped with homesickness, and it’s also where I met my wife and made lifelong friends.”
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, you only need to submit one application to be considered for 90+ scholarships at UQ that can help you with everything from accommodation costs to study expenses such as textbooks and financing extracurricular opportunities.
Find out more about scholarships and financial support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander UQ students.
You may also be eligible for financial support from the Australian government. Find out more about ABSTUDY for Indigenous students, or Tertiary Access Payments if you’re moving from a regional or remote location in Australia to study at university.
Advice for students considering moving for uni
Lachlan’s main advice? It’s going to be scary, but don’t let fear stop you.
“You will face challenges, but you will also grow in ways you never imagined,” he says.
The key is to utilise the support that’s available to you through the ATSIS Unit, scholarships, tutoring and student services.
“They are all here to help you succeed,” Lachlan says.
“Lean on them when things get tough, because you do not have to do this journey alone.”
He also reiterates that home isn’t going anywhere – it’ll be there eagerly awaiting your return.
“One day you will carry with you all the skills, knowledge, and experiences you gained at UQ,” he says.
"What you achieve here can make a real difference, not only in your own life, but in building up and strengthening your community for the future."
Explore Indigenous uni life and picture your future as a UQ student.
