Volunteering may not be top of mind as you decide to study abroad but in Perth, Western Australia, with connections to 750 organisations and roughly 523,000 people, it could open the door to many opportunities. As you try to find your way in a new country, already faced with exciting challenges, it can feel daunting to put yourself out there to also find a job and make friends.
For third-year student Juan Lakonawa, the ultimate solution was found through volunteering, where he discovered connections beyond what he could have imagined. Hailing from Ambon, the capital of Indonesia’s Maluku Islands, Juan was excited to move to Western Australia for his university studies.
“We obviously have universities in Ambon, although because of the geographical location, the focus is on Java being the bigger capital city,” Juan says.
With quality education in mind, Juan’s family encouraged him to explore Perth as an option, as his aunt had already called the city home for a decade and Indonesia has a close connection to Western Australia.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Juan secured a spot at the University of Western Australia (UWA), a high-quality university in Perth, and packed his bags. He joined more than 1,200 Indonesian students currently studying in Western Australia, drawn to the state because of its proximity to home and one-hour time difference.
Sinking his teeth into a Bachelor of Computer Science in 2022, Juan decided early on that to get the most out of his time in Perth, he needed to do more than live with his aunt.
“In my first six months I realised I needed to try and immerse myself here,” he reflects. “I’m not really into going into Indonesian communities because, I was thinking, why would you come here if you just want to stay in your comfort zone?”
With that decision, Juan moved in with students in the heart of Perth and together they tackled the culture shock that comes from moving countries. “This is a strange thing, culture shock,” he observes. However, one of the only difficult things Juan found he had to adjust to was Perth’s business hours. “In Indonesia, they usually open until 10pm or 11pm, so you can hang out in the shopping mall.”
Juan easily transitioned into the Australian way of life thanks to familiar weather – the hot, sunny Perth climate is comparable to the tropical climate and warm waters of Indonesia – and many local stores where he could find his favourite snacks that reminded him of home. “To be honest, most things can be found here, especially Asian groceries,” he says. He also believes that connecting early with the volunteering community in Perth was pivotal in immersing himself and connecting with new friends and organisations.
“One of the first things I did when I came here was volunteer, thanks to the Guild volunteering program at UWA. It provided so many opportunities for me,” Juan says.
After three to four months, he had enough experience through volunteering to list this on his resumé, helping to secure his first job at a fast-food restaurant and then at a grocery store, before moving on towards office-based roles. He currently works as a medical records officer for the Child and Adolescent Health Service at Perth Children’s Hospital, as he completes his studies.
Juan is not alone in the success that volunteering has brought him, with many students and members of the broader Perth community finding it not only rewarding on a personal level, but also professionally, in how it can open doors.
Research confirms this, with one survey suggesting 92% of employers believing volunteer experience can give you an edge in job interviews. Juan felt that his volunteer experience was advantageous for him during this process.
Volunteer work will not impact an international student’s visa. StudyPerth, an organisation that collaborates with education institutions and supports international education in Perth, says students are allowed to engage in volunteer work without it being counted towards their maximum paid work limit.
In fact, as of July 2023, student visa holders are entitled to work up to a maximum of 48 hours of paid work per fortnight.
Getting connected quickly when you move countries can be important. According to Volunteering Australia insights report 2021, there is a correlation between volunteering and positive self-assessed psychological wellbeing, self-esteem, happiness and satisfaction with life.
“You can feel lonely as an international student, away from home,” Juan says. Fortunately, all universities in Western Australia have programs that make getting started with volunteering easy and UWA was no different, which was great news in Juan’s case, as UWA’s Guild Volunteering was crucial in getting connected, so much so that he now is the chair of the volunteering committee.
“I’ve met so many good friends in volunteering for causes and now in my current position I can welcome and help people as well,” he says.
As Juan wraps up his final year at UWA, he’s excited to see what else is around the corner, already gaining so much from his time in Perth and his experience with not-for-profit organisations.
“One thing I love the most is how I can actually find job opportunities from volunteering work,” he says. “I was able to volunteer for local non-profits, do an internship as part of my degree, and then get a job.” With the hard work and nerves out of the way, Juan now stands on the edge of a new adventure.
“I really enjoy being here,” he shares. “The big future plan is to be able to settle here in Perth.” He also wants to continue volunteering, reflecting how it allows him to meet exciting people. With all the possibilities ahead of him, there is only one Australian tradition that still seems a little too adventurous.
“Vegemite on toast… it looks weird, it tastes so salty, I still can’t enjoy it now,” he exclaims.
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Western Australia: It’s Like No Other
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