DUELI Journey (FEB 2023 - AUG 2024)

I still remember packing my bags to fly to Australia, thinking about this new life ahead. I had so many fears that made me reconsider my ​decision to leave my country for higher education. Today, as I write this, I want to share how I turned my fears into strengths and challenges into ​opportunities.

 

I come from Sri Lanka, a beautiful tropical island nation, specifically from Negombo, a coastal area on this small island. Growing up, I realised ​the significance of learning English. However, the reality back then was challenging. There weren’t many English resources available, and ​speaking it could lead to mockery or being labelled as “posh.” At that time, English was not a skill that connected people; it was a measure of ​intelligence or social status. Fortunately, Sri Lanka has made progress since then. Despite these challenges, I was determined to learn English, ​but my fears often outweighed my desire.

 

During my undergraduate studies, I frequently questioned my decision to study in Sinhala, my native language. People often assumed I was an ​English medium student because of my academic performance, which further proved that language ability is not a measure of intelligence. My ​secret was my love for reading; I would spend hours reading, even if I did not understand half of the text, but I persisted.

 

So, as I packed my bags to come here, fears overwhelmed me: Could I handle everything in English? How would I perform? Would I be judged ​for my mistakes? How would I understand complex ideas and theories? Would I succeed? I took a deep breath and came to Australia. Looking ​back, it was one of the most difficult yet best decisions I’ve made. I started with the ELICOS program at Deakin English Language, enrolling in ​the English Language for Academic Purposes Level 4 program. I still remember the first day of orientation and the staff’s advice: “seek help” ​and “practise English.” These two were my lifelines during my studies at Deakin, even after I finished at DUELI and began my PhD.

 

DUELI opened my eyes to a new world for several reasons. First, it provided a comfortable and safe space to make mistakes and learn from ​them without being judged. Second, there were ample resources and services that allowed me to become an independent learner. Additionally, ​DUELI fosters a community with a shared goal of learning English. Third, DUELI wasn’t limited to studies; it encouraged students to learn ​about diverse cultures, be creative, pursue passions, and develop other skills. Weekly lunch break activities allowed us to take a break from ​studies, engage in something we love, or learn something new. I participated in cultural activities and games that helped me practise English ​and connect with students from diverse backgrounds. Eventually, my fear of learning and practising English vanished, and I embraced it as a ​strength essential for my studies, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn and improve.

 

Another chapter at Deakin began when I started my PhD during the pandemic, a challenging time both personally and professionally. This ​period made me look inward and understand the importance of mental health. My experiences during this time inspired me to support the ​community in terms of mental health and well-being. I explored two options to give back: becoming a student leader and using online platforms ​to raise awareness. I pursued both. After two attempts, I was accepted into the DUELI leadership program, becoming a student leader at ​DUELI. During this time, I volunteered at both the university and state levels, contributing to the international student community.