A young woman stands outdoors on a university campus at sunset, holding a mooncake in a white box. Other people are in the background.

The Sydney sunshine was a dazzling, almost aggressive welcome on Mei Ling’s face as she stepped out of the Uber, a knot of nerves and excitement tightening in her stomach. Her Master of Business degree at this prestigious Australian university was a dream years in the making, but standing before the modern, gleaming campus buildings, she felt a familiar flutter of apprehension. This was it: O-Week. Day 1 – Warm Welcome & Orientation The International Student Welcome Session was a whirlwind of accents and smiles. Mei Ling found herself seated between a quiet young man from Vietnam and an effusive woman from Colombia, the murmur of different languages a strange, comforting symphony. They talked about visa requirements, campus safety, and the importance of saying "G'day." It was less daunting than she’d imagined. Her Peer Guide, Chloe, a bubbly third-year student with bright blue hair, led them on a campus tour. Chloe pointed out hidden study nooks, the sprawling library with its quiet zones and collaborative spaces, the vibrant student lounges, and the sleek, glass-fronted Business School facilities that made Mei Ling's heart leap with professional anticipation. They even found a tiny, artisanal coffee shop tucked away near the Law building. "Best flat whites on campus," Chloe declared with a wink. That evening, the O-Week Icebreaker Dinner was a vibrant multicultural potluck. Mei Ling, armed with a small container of her mother’s homemade mooncakes, felt a pang of shyness See more