From flour-filled OWeek pranks to standing ovations on campus stages, the stories our international alumni carry are uniquely Deakin.
By Jessica Young.
For Nur Farisya Abdul Shukor (BA(PR), arriving at Deakin as a nervous student from Malaysia was quickly transformed into something unforgettable. Talking about her first day on campus at OWeek she recalls:
‘I was covered from head to toe – looking like I’d just escaped from a bakery explosion. But you know what? That moment broke all the ice. We weren’t strangers anymore – we were laughing, slipping, and bonding over being a total mess. That’s when I realised: Deakin was going to be fun.’
‘It was here I learned the power of collaboration and critical thinking – skills that have served me well in every step of my career,’ Nur Farisya says.
She also had an unforgettable run in with a small possum! But it wasn’t all about fun and flour. Nur Farisya shared how the academic support and teaching style shaped her future in powerful ways.
‘Unlike large lectures where you can feel lost in the crowd, these [small] tutorials were intimate and interactive. They taught us problem-solving, encouraged open discussion and helped us develop practical skills that went far beyond textbooks. It was here I learned the power of collaboration and critical thinking – skills that have served me well in every step of my career.’
In Vietnam, Juliet Bao Ngoc (BSc(Hons) ‘25), an actress and environmental conservationist, described Deakin as the turning point in her life.
‘It was at Deakin that I found a sense of purpose, belonging and the encouragement to grow – both as a student and as a global citizen.’
She credits Deakin’s environmental science program – and the hands-on experiences that came with it – for helping her discover her passion.
‘It was at Deakin that I found a sense of purpose, belonging and the encouragement to grow,’ Juliet says.
‘Sometimes [that meant] stepping into a leadership role and other times by stepping into ankle-deep mud while tracking wildlife. Either way, I walked away with more than knowledge, I found resilience, purpose and the courage to stand up for the things I care about.’
Juliet also shared how receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship and being named Victoria’s International Student of the Year gave her the confidence to chase bigger dreams.
‘These moments were more than accolades, they were powerful reminders of the incredible support I received from both Deakin and the state of Victoria.’
‘Sometimes [that meant] stepping into a leadership role and other times by stepping into ankle-deep mud while tracking wildlife.’
These stories aren’t just memories. They’re part of a shared legacy – one that spans countries, cultures and careers. And now, we want to hear your story.
Whether it’s a life-changing lecturer, a long-lost friend or a funny moment you still tell at dinner parties – we want to collect and celebrate the international experiences that have helped shape Deakin over the past 50 years.
We’re inviting our international alumni to:
Whether you’re in Singapore, Seoul or Shanghai, you’re always part of the Deakin family.
Whether you’re in Singapore, Seoul or Shanghai, you’re always part of the Deakin family.
If you graduated in the 1970s or just yesterday, you’ll always be a part of Deakin, even after completing your studies. There’s no better time than our anniversary to reconnect with fellow alumni!
You will join the over 350,000 Deakin graduates across Australia and throughout the world who make up our alumni community.
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