Social Work student Annette, on placement with BetterU, writes beautifully about the role the Oasis Student Wellbeing Centre played for her in adapting to studying in Australia as an international student.
Friends, Romans, and Countrymen!!
No, sorry, this is not it.
From the above sentence, you might have guessed that this is my first article.
Hi, I am Annette, a Master of Social Work student currently doing my student placement at Flinders University Community Development Project. I am part of the Better U project at the University during this placement.
This article is a part of my student placement. So, whoever is reading this article, please consider it as a humble attempt from a fellow student who was equally confused when starting something new in life.
I was unsure about the topic I should choose for my first article. I want this to be helpful to all of you. Therefore, this article is all about the place that helped me survive in this new country as an international student – the Oasis Student Wellbeing Centre.
Oasis – the meaning of this word is a fertile or green area in an arid region. An oasis in the desert is a true blessing to travellers. After traveling through the sand dunes, an oasis helps them quench their thirst, refresh their minds, and more importantly, gives them hope. It motivates them to restart their journey. I believe the Oasis Wellbeing Centre at Flinders University does justice to its name.
From the perspective of an international student, coming to Australia means leaving behind family, friends, and home. They must be very confused and scared when they arrive – no friends, a new culture, a new language, and loneliness. They would feel numb. The situation is similar to those travellers in the desert I mentioned earlier. The Oasis Wellbeing Centre at the University is like that green area in the desert, giving hope to students and providing them with endless opportunities.
I first came to Oasis with one of my seniors on the second day I landed in this country. She said, “This place will help you connect with people here,” and introduced me to different services. The first month after arriving is a real struggle for an international student. You don’t know the places, you don’t know how to interact, and it’s difficult to break out of your comfort zone.
After one month of isolating myself from the entire world, I realized this is my reality. I decided to make connections and explore this new world. The services at Oasis really helped me find a new version of myself.
I would like to introduce some of the services at Oasis that helped me overcome my initial fear and interact with people:
🟠 Conversation Groups on Campus: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 1–2 PM.
https://oasis.flinders.edu.au/conversation-groups/
🔵 Flinders Mates Conversation: At Oasis during the first four weeks of the semester, Tuesday from 12–1 PM.
https://oasis.flinders.edu.au/flinders-mates/
🟢 Meditation: At Oasis, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12–12:30 PM during semester.
https://oasis.flinders.edu.au/meditation-for-relaxation-and-stress-relief/
🟣 The Flinders Community Market: At Oasis, every Thursday during semester, from 11 AM–1 PM.
https://oasis.flinders.edu.au/flinders-community-market/
🟡 One-on-One Spiritual Consultation: For questions and concerns in matters of faith, spirituality, values, ethics, relationships, and the self. Coordinating Chaplain of Oasis: Dave, contactable dave.williamson@flinders.edu.au
I hope these services help you the way they helped me.
All of us go through different kinds of struggles in life. Sometimes we may feel like we are the only ones struggling. I also thought the same, isolating myself from the entire world.
However, when I visited Oasis, I saw people from different cultures sitting together, making friends, sharing their cultures, their sorrows, their happiness – talking and connecting with each other. Being in the Centre and looking around, one would feel the beauty of humanity.
The Centre also taught me that to help someone, a person does not have to do something amazing. Sometimes, just being there to listen to what others say can give solace to many. It helped me realize I am not the only one struggling with life – there are many.
If you think the world is getting crueller day by day, that there is no hope in life or no loving humans, come to Oasis. Sit there for a few hours – you will feel there is hope, love, and humanity left in this world. There are people who still want to help others and give them a hand when they are in the lowest phase of their life, without expecting anything in return. Just be that human – I promise the world will be a better place to live in, filled with love.
One of the first things I read about the Oasis Student Wellbeing Centre that struck in my mind was: “Oasis, a home away from home.” Initially, I was a bit cynical. But now I know. The people there, the warmth, the love that place holds – truly make it a second home for many people. At the heart of Oasis, I discovered the beauty of humanity.
Excellent work! I never thought some one could portray the beauty of Oasis and the role it plays in the lives of Flinders University members especially that of international students like me, so well. This was such a refreshing and genuine piece and I hope that it does help other students and members like it did for me.