Po Yan

Hello everyone! I’m from Hong Kong and I’m a first-year student at Charles Darwin University (CDU) pursuing my Master of Information Technology (Cyber Security). I’ve wanted to study abroad since I was a kid. When I was younger, it seemed like a far off dream because I was not born into a rich family. My parents did not have the means to support my university studies in Australia or any other overseas country. I have three siblings and it wouldn’t have been fair to them if my parents sent just me to study abroad.

But my parents did manage to save up enough money so I could do a short course in Australia when I finished high school. I landed in Brisbane and immediately fell in love with this country. I loved the natural environment and the culture here. However, after six months, my time was up. I had to go back to Hong Kong.

I got an office job back home but very quickly realised that office work was not something I liked! I was restless. Every day, I’d look up jobs in far away places. I found a Singaporean company that was hiring so I decided to give it a try because why not? I got the job and quickly moved to Singapore. I loved it there and I thought I’d stay for a long time. I really loved that job because it gave me the opportunity to travel around the world, meeting different people every day.

Then, in 2020, COVID-19 changed the world. My work, which involved a lot of travel, came to an end. In response, I felt like I needed to make a big change. Around that time, Australia announced a new visa arrangement for Hong Kong international students, which would allow me to study a masters in Australia. Because I’d been working so hard in Singapore, I had enough money to support myself, separate from my parents. So, in July, I applied to study in Darwin.

I arrived here on the first charter flight to Australia for international students since the borders closed in March 2020. Yes, that famous flight! I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to come to Australia while many others are still unable.

Studying in Australia has always been one of my dreams. Australia is a dynamic, vibrant country with energetic and friendly people. Making the move to study in the Northern Territory has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is easy to connect with people in Darwin and I have never felt lonely. Although Darwin is a small city, everyone gets along and supports each other in different ways. It’s the people, the multiculturalism, and the beauty of this city that made me feel so welcomed and supported. I really enjoy doing voluntary work and meeting people from all over the world. Darwin has truly become my home away from home. I am so glad and happy to be part of the community and I look forward to welcoming you to the Northern Territory!