Reisebrev fra Melbourne-Monash University, Australia
Publisert: 25. august 2025
Prizma Ghimire was on a short scientific mission at Melbourne-Monash University, Australia 5th May-10th July 2025, and here she shares some of her experiences from her stay abroad.
As I arrived in Melbourne on a crisp May morning, I felt a mix of excitement, curiosity, and a little nervous flutter. Two months at Monash University with inspiring minds in the social work department felt like opening a new chapter in both my professional and personal life. From the very start, I was warmly welcomed by Professors Aron Shlonsky and Melissa Petrakis, who generously shared their time, ideas, and experience. Little did I know that between research meetings, symposiums, and unexpected wildlife encounters, these weeks would become a collection of moments I’ll carry with me for years.
My Academic Life at the Monash
My academic calendar quickly filled up, and I loved every bit of it. Working with Aron and Melissa gave me a front-row seat to how research and teaching come alive at Monash. Collaborating with these esteemed professors was a blend of curiosity, mentorship, and rich conversation. Their generosity in sharing insights taught me not about research, but also about how to cultivate an academic life that is both rigorous and open-hearted. Among the many impressions that stayed with me, one of the earliest was the Acknowledgement of Country, offered before nearly every presentation or gathering. This simple, intentional gesture, honouring the Indigenous custodians of the land, felt profoundly meaningful, setting a tone of respect and reflection that seemed to infuse the academic environment itself.
One of the interesting conferences that I attended during my time at Monash was the MARC (Monash Addiction Research Centre) Symposium, where the atmosphere buzzed with energy and big ideas. As I sat among scholars and practitioners, I watched emerging and seasoned researchers share punchy, thought-provoking projects in addiction science. Each presentation carried its own spark, igniting new questions in my mind and opening doors to unexpected connections.
Similarly, the Monday Lunch sessions quickly became one of the highlights of my time at Monash, a cherished tradition where academics from the department and visiting scholars from other universities gathered over a shared meal to present and discuss their work. I attended these sessions consistently, drawn by the diversity of voices and perspectives, each talk opening a window into a different corner of the academic landscape. Then, one of such Monday, I found myself at the front of the room, presenting my own research on sibling relationships among children in Child Protective Services. The exchange that followed was both invigorating and affirming with thoughtful follow-up questions, genuine curiosity, and a shared recognition of the importance of this often-overlooked area of study.
I also had the opportunity to network and interact with professors from the USA based in several universities through Aron’s network, whose primary research focus mirrored my own. Beyond these structured events, I had the opportunity to attend various classes conducted by social work professors at the department. Australian academic life felt dynamic, engaging, and refreshingly interactive. I adored how Australian students and professors interacted: it felt like being part of a conversation, not just listening in. Between conferences, online forums, and spontaneous hallway chats, I began to feel not like a visitor passing through, but a small part of a larger, global academic community.
Beyond Academic life, My Australian Adventures
Beyond the academic experiences, Australia revealed itself in other ways that were equally memorable too. I found a quiet joy in the Australian winter, cool, crisp mornings that invited long walks, and afternoons spent in cozy cafés, hands wrapped around a warm cuppa (An Australian slang for a cup of tea or coffee). Nature was never far away; its presence felt grand and untamed. I wandered along vast, sunlit beaches where the waves crashed with a raw elegance, stood in awe before the grandeur of Sydney Opera House, wandered through the grand halls and hidden galleries of the iconic State Library, and hiked through tropical forests where towering fern trees arched overhead like ancient sentinels. Encountering Australia’s unique wildlife were equally unforgettable, from feeding gentle kangaroos, spotting wombats shuffling through the undergrowth, and admiring the sheer variety of birds that filled the air.
These two months gave me far more than academic insights, they gifted me friendships, fresh perspectives, and a deeper understanding of how research, culture, and everyday life can weave into a single, rich experience. I returned home not only with new knowledge, but with memories of clear winter skies, thoughtful rituals, respectful traditions, and a campus that felt alive. I’ll forever carry a bit of Melbourne in my heart, probably sipping a flat white in a café, watching cockatoos dance across the skyline, and grateful for this life experience.
