8 minute read
Interview with Avinash Rao
Celebrating “Graduate House: 60 years a Residential College”
Graduate House welcomes Undergraduates and Postgraduates! Graduate House is now opened to students enrolled in their first degree from any university in Melbourne. This initiative is well received and strongly supported by Sally Capp, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne (see The Graduate Union Jan/Feb Newsletter) Continuing our interview series with residents, Councillor of The Graduate Union, Emeritus Professor Martin Comte OAM sits with Resident member Avinash Rao to hear from this young man on his experience of living in Graduate House.
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Avinash Rao, Resident at Central Wing, Main Building
Why did you choose to live at Graduate House.
Actually, I didn’t choose to live at Graduate House. When I went to the website of The University of Melbourne and looked for Residential Colleges, Graduate House wasn’t listed there. I applied to three or four colleges and Newman College called me first. This was in my 1st semester and I had an interview and it went well. The problem was that they did not have a vacancy then but offered me a place for the 2nd semester. They mentioned that there was a place called Graduate House and suggested that I should have a look and consider staying there for the 1st semester and then move into Newman College in the 2nd semester. So I came to Graduate House and have never looked back. I’m still here even though I have recently graduated; I will be moving out soon. Newman College kept contacting me but I told them that I would be staying on at Graduate House. I just love living here; the people are very interesting and also very supportive.
What was the attraction of Graduate House?
Many things. I really like the rooms in Graduate House. (I’m living in the Centre Wing.) I’m not criticising the rooms in Newman College, but there is something special about the rooms here. It’s important if you’re studying that you feel comfortable in your room. I also love the community here; I like the sense of maturity in the students and this is important if you are studying at the graduate level. I’ve been here for more than two-and-a-half years; I moved in in 2019 and was here during all of the lockdowns. I was in a good place; they managed everything extremely well.
What were the particular challenges for you living during COVID?
I play a lot of sport and engage in other physical activity through the gym, but during COVID everything was closed; these communities were closed. This was the most challenging thing for me. But at Graduate House itself, we managed very well. Meals, for example, were delivered close to our door so that we didn’t have to go outside to eat.
Which degree have you just graduated in?
A Masters degree in Data Science.
Had you ever stayed in a college or boarding school earlier on in your studies?
Yes. In India we don’t call places like this ‘colleges’ – we call them ‘hostels’, and during my undergraduate studies I lived in a hostel for the entire four years. I was used to student living by the time I came here.
What are some of the differences between your earlier hostel experience, and living in Graduate House?
I think the major difference is the culture. Unlike in India, here you meet people from many different backgrounds and countries – and you get to learn about their culture. This has been very interesting for me. Apart from that I have loved all of the support I have received here.
Did you have any problems adjusting to differences in meals?
In the beginning I didn’t like it a lot. I really like a healthy lifestyle so I would mostly eat things like broccoli and chicken and so on. But I gradually got used to the food.
Did you have any particular concerns when you first moved into Graduate House?
At first I was a little worried that I might say or do the wrong thing because I did not fully understand the culture and did not want to offend anyone. And this also depends on the personality of the person. If you tend to be shy it might be particularly difficult. But I am somewhere in between being an introvert and an extrovert. Happily, I didn’t find it difficult to adjust and quickly made a few friends: from China, Italy and other parts of Europe. I have made some lasting friendships.
What was it like fitting into university studies in a foreign country? Were there major differences between here and India?
I did my undergraduate degree in India in computer science. The courses there were more theoretical. The courses I did at The University of Melbourne were more practical. This was a good thing because if you’re doing anything related to engineering you need practical experience as well. Another difference is that here there are more options to choose. I was in the Faculty of Science, but I was able to apply to choose electives in another department. For example, I was very interested in Ethics and I was permitted to choose a subject in this field. I was able to study in other areas that I thought had a relationship to my main focus. This was a very positive experience.
I understand that you have been strongly involved in activities in Graduate House.
Yes, when I came here in 2019, prior to COVID, I was involved in organising new activities – including a Diwali party, celebrating the Indian Festival of Lights. We also organised other events, including ‘Exploring Melbourne’ and sporting activities. I even organised a table tennis tournament. Then, in 2020 and 2021 I helped out in various ways and was also Duty Manager. This involved welcoming new members who came to live here, and I would help them with any problems they had. I loved doing that. In addition to this I joined a local Parkville cricket club and still play with them; we won the premiership last year!
As an avid cricket player and someone who loves sport, you made a good choice in coming to Australia to study.
In fact, I was accepted to enrol at the University of Edinburgh at the time I was accepted at The University of Melbourne. And I chose Australia because of Australia’s reputation as a sport-loving country.
I’m pleased you chose Australia, and I’m sure that many people at Graduate House feel the same. I am the Chair of the Fundraising and Benefactions Subcommittee of our Council and we are wanting to establish Residential Scholarships to assist students to live here during their graduate studies. There are some students who would benefit greatly from the experience but they are unable to pay the full residential fee. Do you have any suggestions to guide us? What are the benefits of living in a college such as this? What can it give students that they otherwise would not have? What can we say to people whom we are asking to donate to help us establish Residential Scholarships?
For people like me, if you are coming from a different country and you live in an apartment by yourself - you are isolated; you basically live in a bubble. You tend only to mix with other people from your country. But if you live in a college you get to know people from many countries and cultures. Another benefit is that you will meet people who are studying similar courses as yours – and even working on the same assignments. You can support each other. You are living in a community where people have similar goals. It’s a community of scholars as well as a community of friendship – friendships that can last for a lifetime.
Do you have any other advice to give us?
I find that several other colleges organise some formal events for all students. These could be social functions or having guest speakers. And at least once a week there is a ‘formal’ dinner that everyone attends. I like this approach. It’s another way of bringing everyone together as a community. I’m very aware that as the end of the semester is approaching, and students are studying for exams or writing their final papers, it can be a period of increased stress. I think it would be most helpful to arrange sessions to assist them. This could include sessions to help them with stress, or give them exam preparation techniques, or assist them with essay writing. I know that some other colleges do offer this kind of support.
Another thing I have thought about is that in orientation week at the beginning of each semester, the other residential colleges have a ‘presence’ on the university campus. But Graduate House is never represented. The same applies to sports activities and occasions when the clubs across the university and the colleges are featured. It would be nice if Graduate House also had a ‘stall’ on these occasions.
These are such useful observations and suggestions. We need to give them serious consideration. Finally, I want to ask if you are now applying for jobs in Australia
I am in the process of doing this now. Prior to coming to Australia I had three years experience working in a consultancy firm in New Delhi after graduating with my first degree and this gave me some valuable early experience. And during my Masters degree I did an internship with a startup company in Melbourne. In addition. I worked for an entire year with Data 61, which is part of CSIRO. All of this has been valuable experience as I set out to find a full-time position.
I really wish you well in your search. In addition to your undoubted professional and technical skills you also have outstanding people skills – never underestimate the importance of this! Graduate House has been particularly fortunate in having had you living with us and contributing so richly to our community. Thank you.
