From Wuhan to Melbourne: What Helped Me Feel at Home
When I first moved to Melbourne, I thought the hardest part would be navigating a new city. What I didn't expect was that I'd miss the small things so much: hearing familiar voices, eating food from home or just knowing exactly where I was going.
I'm Yixuan Wang, from Wuhan, China, and I'm currently studying a Master of Education (Digital Futures and Innovation Practice) at the University of Melbourne. After nearly two years here, I've learned that feeling at home in a new country doesn't happen overnight. It happens through small moments, new friendships, and routines that slowly become part of everyday life.
Here are a few things that helped me settle in Melbourne.
Start with the basics
When I arrived, I focused on practical tasks first: opening a bank account, getting an Australian phone number, buying a myki card and picking up essentials.
I also spent time exploring campus, the CBD and the area around my accommodation. Knowing where to find supermarkets, pharmacies and student services made me feel much more confident and independent.
Exploring China Town in Melbourne CBD
Find comfort in familiar things
For me, food has always been one of the strongest connections to home.
Cooking familiar meals and doing my weekly grocery shop became an important part of my routine. Small comforts helped too, like keeping my favourite snacks nearby and creating a room that felt personal and welcoming.
Say yes to opportunities
One of the first events I attended was a Valentine's Day dinner organised by the Residential Advisors at my accommodation - The Lofts.
I was nervous at first, but everyone was looking to make new friends. Through student events at The Lofts, I've met people from all over the world, and those friendships have become one of the most rewarding parts of my Melbourne experience.
I taught my fellow residents at the Lofts how to play májiàng (a traditional Chinese board game)
Stay open-minded
Living in a multicultural community has taught me to appreciate different perspectives and ways of life.
The more curious and open-minded I was, the easier it became to adapt, connect with people and feel comfortable in a new environment.
Keep in touch with home
There were times when I felt homesick, and staying connected with family and friends made a huge difference.
Sometimes we'd talk about how I was feeling. Other times, we'd simply chat about everyday life. Those conversations reminded me that even though I was far away, I still had a strong support network behind me.
Create routines that work for you
One thing that really helped me settle was building routines.
I set aside time for study, cooking, exercise and relaxation. Having that structure made life feel more manageable and gave me a sense of stability while everything around me was still new. I tried to follow this routine and set up a physical calendar (available at Stop 1 for free) in my room to keep me updated with important agenda in the coming week/month. This way I can keep myself active, balance my workload and give myself some rewarding time.
My desk at the Lofts
Be patient with yourself
Not everything went according to plan. When I first arrived, I hoped to find a casual job quickly, but it didn't happen as fast as I expected.
During that time, I started keeping a diary and writing down positive moments, achievements and things I was grateful for. It helped me focus less on setbacks and more on how much I was growing.
Get involved
I made the most of opportunities both within my accommodation community and across the University, including workshops, social events and the GSA Peer Mentor Program.
All these supports helped me a lot in improving my skills, building meaningful connections and enriching my university experience.
Exploring the city
Exploring Melbourne and surroundings became one of my favourite ways to settle in.
I would go on Instagram and RedNote for inspirations, ask for recommendations from experienced peers and save them in my “wish list” for places I want to visit. Then I will invite my friends to check out these places with me or just explore by myself.
I visited a vintage store as part of my road trip to Daylesford (a famous country town near Melbourne)
Finding a place to belong
Sometimes I get asked when Melbourne started to feel like home.
Honestly, there wasn't one moment. It happened gradually through meaningful friendships, routines and everyday experiences. Little by little, the city became familiar, the people around me became my community and Melbourne became a place where I felt I belonged.
I celebrated my recent birthday with friends at a restaurant on Lygon street, Melbourne’s historic "Little Italy" and walking distance from The Lofts.
If you're about to start your own student journey in Australia, my advice is simple: give yourself time. Settling into a new country is a process, but one day you'll look around and realise that what once felt unfamiliar has become home.