Student swaps moon cakes for Tim Tams
SWAPPING the Petronas Towers for the Eureka Tower and moon cakes for Tim Tams, Li-Shen Ng immersed herself in Melbourne and loved every minute of it.
The then-pharmacy student packed up her life in Malaysia and moved to Melbourne as a part of the “two plus two” exchange program that allows students to begin their degree at Monash Malaysia and complete it at Monash Australia.
“Melbourne is an amazing place and there is always something to do,” said LiShen.
“The distinctive architecture and beautiful gardens are captivating but I find that the best of Melbourne lies in the outskirts – the scenery and views at Phillip Island, the Yarra Valley and Great Ocean Road are just breathtaking.
“Besides the magnificent landscape, I absolutely enjoy Melbourne’s brunch culture and couldn’t help but (attempt to) become a coffee connoisseur,” Li-Shen said.
The two plus two exchange was launched in 2014 and gives pharmacy students studying at Monash Malaysia the chance to study two years of their four-year degree at the Parkville campus.
Li-Shen was initially studying at Parkville as part of an intercampus exchange between Parkville and the Sunway campus before hearing about the longer term exchange.
“I found out about the two plus two exchange while I was here on a one semester exchange and jumped at the opportunity to stay on for another two years.
“For me, it was an opportunity to experience a new culture and take advantage of the extra opportunities that come with studying at Parkville – the staff, the facilities, the research,” she said.
“I shared some of my experiences on Instagram and Facebook, which is a great way of staying connected with my friends back home.
“Moving overseas to study is a massive investment both financially and emotionally, and the two plus two program helps alleviate some of those pressures.”
“I was able to transition into university life while still living at home. And paying the international fees for two years rather than four is less of a financial burden,” she said.
Now practising as a pharmacist in Australia, Li-Shen has had time to reflect on a busy but brilliant first year.
“Looking back on my time at Monash, I did so much, both in and out of the classroom.
“I made great friends, I learnt from some outstanding researchers, I explored new places around Australia and I undertook a really enjoyable placement at Geelong Hospital.
“But I have to say my favourite and most exciting ‘Aussie’ activity was watching a footy match at Etihad Stadium with my friends!”
Interest in the exchange program continues to grow, with the Faculty expecting more than two dozen pharmacy students to transfer from Monash Malaysia to Parkville in 2018.
Professor Bill Charman, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, said the world is becoming a smaller place and opportunities for travel and collaboration across borders continue to grow.