Many of the international students I’m friends with are either going home or staying back to continue their journey. Whatever the reasons are, the transition from being a full-time student to a working adult is exhilarating, yet the journey can be scary and bumpy at the start. 

At one point, I was so lost that I thought maybe going home to my loved ones and being in a familiar place would be so much easier. However, I wanted change and growth. Change can only happen by choice. To be what I wanted to become, I decided to challenge myself to see if I could survive in a foreign place independently. 

Alright, if you’re like me, like a lost puppy, while having life goals of your own, let’s go on this bumpy journey together! 

1. Self-care: mental and physical health 

Firstly, let’s acknowledge the stress associated with post-graduation uncertainty. The transition from student to full-fledged adult can sometimes take a toll on us. 

After finishing all my assignments, exams and thesis, I felt so lost with my schedule, unsure of what to do next. I thought I would be relieved to have no deadlines to chase but the fear of losing my soon-to-expiring student visa and identity as a decade-long student played on my mind and was stressful to me. 

Keeping a routine to help relax and just chill for a bit is so essential! After studying for so long, we can all agree we deserve to have a break, such as binge watching your favourite TV shows, meditation, journaling or a 30-minute daily walk. Maybe they can inspire you to find the next step in life, who knows? Besides, we can always reach out for support. Talking and seeking input from friends and family for support is also essential during this uncertain period of life. 

Not to mention, there are a lot of benefits available to alumni at the university including library access, career services and networking opportunities. Reading articles is another great way to learn more about your options after graduation in Australia. 

2. Visa Applications and extensions 

If you’ve decided to stay in Australia after graduation, you need to change your visa. There are a vast number of visa options for post-graduates with detailed steps for applying for a post-student work visa.  You can either apply on your own or ask people to help you with your visa application. For more personal help, a drop-in consultation with the university’s International Student Drop-in Centre is the way to go too. 

3. Job hunting for financial security 

While researching the visa application and relevant documents needed (e.g., English test, transition of health insurance from OSHC, police check, etc.), it is important to have the financial stability to be ready to apply for a new visa. 

As I have mentioned, after finishing up my studies, I was stressed about what’s next. So, I decided to apply for the post-study work visa (485), however, I realised it was not the right timing (you have to wait until the fully graded date and have your academic transcript). I was stressed about something out of my control, and there is no point fussing around and hoping to speed things up. Being patient and trusting the process is the only way to go. That’s when I found that focusing on job hunting was the only way I could do it in that moment. 

Although job hunting as an international student can be hard sometimes, there’s a lot of support, such as building a professional network via job search platforms (e.g., Seek and LinkedIn), joining networking events, workshops and industry-specific associations and using career services at the university.    

Even if you have yet to find your ideal job or a job relevant to your degree, I would encourage working in any field because it is not only a way to earn money and save up for your visa application but also a way to gain knowledge and new skills that will be useful in the future. 

4. The power of networking 

Never underestimate the power of networking by connecting with someone older than you in these processes, be it visa applications or job hunting. Networking and talking to people who are more experienced than you can be quite comforting at times because you know that you’re not alone! I would suggest joining the alumni community or finding someone ideally from the same background or degree as you. 

At the end of the day, we don’t have to stress too much (ha-ha says the one who’s easily stressed out) because it is something you can’t rush, just be patient and eventually trust that you will get there! My final advice to you is to be prepared to become eligible for the post-study graduate visa by working casually or part-time and enjoying the bumpy ride (trust me, it’s going to be exciting!). 

Feature Image: Created using Adobe Firefly and Photoshop