The Life of a Postgraduate Ali Ghahremanlou - Postgraduate President When I started the journey of higher degree research in Tasmania I didn’t know what to expect. I arrived from overseas after studying economics for seven years as part of my university degrees in a country that was far from home. Life in another country taught me about different cultures and languages and forced me to adjust to a new and different lifestyle. I made many lifelong friends, and had experiences that shaped me into the person I am today. Moving to Australia meant I had to start all over again. I was welcomed to Tasmania by a UTAS member who took me to my accommodation and the next day I met my new family — a supervisory team who embraced me into this new way of life. I was expected to feel lonely and isolated because I didn’t know a single person, but the welcome I received gave me an immediate sense of belonging and a great way of starting my new research life. What made the transition into a postgraduate degree easier for me was I did some research before I arrived and read a lot on what to expect from being a postgrad student in Australia. Postgraduate life is incredibly rewarding, but you have to be patient. There are many students who walk straight into a postgraduate degree without knowing what awaits them. This can lead to some awkward situations. It’s hard to maintain a social life as a postgraduate student, particularly if you are a master by research or a PhD student. You’re expected to work independently
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