Editor of the RMIT University student magazine Catalyst, John Ng, 28, is an international student in Melbourne. A third generation Chinese Singaporean, Mr Ng uprooted from Malaysia to follow his partner, a nurse, to Melbourne and now considers Australia home.
"There is nothing Singaporean about me," said Mr Ng, who has settled into Melbourne easily with the help of locals he considers his friends. He is a sociable character who makes himself known to other students.
"I like to consider myself a mature-age student – like a big daddy," Mr Ng said. Though he does not feel a connection to his birth place Singapore, Mr Ng does express interest in his Chinese background and has long wanted to communicate directly with his grandparents back in Singapore, who left China after World War II.
The Epoch Times: How do you find life as an international student?
John Ng: Contrary to most Australians' opinion, not all international students have it tough here. It's true that many come from exceedingly well-off backgrounds, but
others are blessed with what I call "life equipping" skills.
Unusually, English is my first language and I've never had any problems assimilating into the society. Almost all my friends are locals and, if anything, they made my transition into the Melbourne landscape easier. I don't feel like a foreigner at all and the many experiences I've had in the last couple of years are more commonly associated with locals.
ET: What do you hope to achieve through writing for a
student magazine?
JN: Most importantly, to raise international students' awareness in the RMIT community. There are a lot of stereotypes and old-fashioned mindsets built out of postcolonial British days that are still handed down to people these days. I aim to break that.
On a more professional level, I've always had an interest in print and journalism, and I'm using this experience as a precursor to a potential career in print publishing.
ET: Why do you call Melbourne home?
JN: It's hard to strip Melbourne to her naked core. She has so many layers, each one more complex and beautiful than before. Where can I start? The weather, the fashion, the friendly Australian spirit, the amalgamation of cultures across the globe. I can go on…
ET: What do you value most?
JN: Friends. Good friends that is. I surround myself with an arsenal of good friends who will go that extra mile for you and beyond the call of duty. They won't die for you, but you know what I mean.
ET: What's the most important lesson you've learned in life?
JN: I once got into trouble with the strong arm of the law in my late teens. I like to call it the darkest period of my life; I became a changed man after that. I began to think about my future, the pain I've caused my
family and how I'd like myself to be seen by society. Come to think of it, I'm glad I got into trouble. Had I not, I would not be where I am today.
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