Information for parents - an interview

We spoke to Ban-Ya Yim who is a Bachelor of Arts/Law student and her mother, Monica Yim, to find out about their experience of the transition to university.

Q: Where are you from?
Monica Yim: Originally I am from South Korea but we have lived in Australia for about 16 years now in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Q: What are you studying? Why did you choose that program?
Ban-Ya Yim: I am studying an Arts/Law combined degree. After many months of deliberation I chose to do Law because I enjoy the skills required for being a lawyer. The Arts part of my degree was pretty easy to choose. I had always loved history and politics and had always been fascinated by language. However, when I finally got to ANU I didn’t really know what majors I wanted to do. International Relations was a bit of a no brainer as ANU is renowned for its IR program and I chose to do an International Communications second major as it combines language and linguistics as opposed to just doing a language major or a linguistics major.

Q: Where and how did you find information about tertiary courses?
Monica Yim: My daughter brought home all the information and showed us photos on the internet. She is very independent and found all the information herself, and discussed the different options with us.

Q: How did you feel about your child heading off to Uni?
Monica Yim: Good. She was excited. She was finally doing what she wanted to do and was excited about having new experiences and meeting new people.

Q: What where your major concerns?
Monica Yim: I was worried about her living out of home and when she left home she was still only 17 which brings many other concerns. Also, I was a little concerned about the distance between us especially when she was feeling down or if she became ill.

Q: What was the transition from school to university like in your first year? Could anything have made it easier? Were you well prepared for university study?
Ban-Ya Yim: My first year was a huge shock! I now live at Bruce Hall but for a little while I lived out in a boarding house in Lyneham and both college and boarding houses are very different from living at home but you adjust pretty quickly and wherever you go there are always a few people you'll become life long friends with. The actual study part of the transition was the hardest – getting good marks. I had pretty good study habits but only getting a Credit was a huge shock for a girl who had always gotten As! However, I had a great group of people around me to help me adjust and learn that it was normal and to set reachable goals for myself.

Q: What have been the changes in your child since beginning Uni?
Monica Yim: We have settled into a routine and she comes home as regularly as she can with the demands of university, jobs and friends. I have come to accept that she is now an adult and she's been a very good girl which makes me happy. It also helps to know that when she's sick she has a great group of friends who will look after her and take her to the doctor. We talk on the phone nearly every day just to keep in touch and she talks to her siblings using email and chat. It has been good for both of us and if anything we have become closer and better friends.

Q: What factors did you consider when helping your child choosing a university?
Monica Yim: My husband and I were mainly concerned about what kind of degree she was getting and whether it was a good worthwhile university. We would probably have preferred something closer to home, but in the long run we had to think about what was best for my daughter and ANU is Australia's best. We always knew she had overseas ambitions and that she wanted a degree which would let her travel so we were very keen for her to get the very best and not be disappointed. Also, we were looking for a culture that she could fit into and it seems the ANU was definitely the correct choice for her.

Q: Has it been easy to settle into ANU and feel part of the community? What recommendations do you have for prospective students to settle in quickly?
Ban-Ya Yim: Yes, ANU was really easy to fit into. I think its because there are so many people from all across Australia and the world at ANU. You are bound to have someone who has a very similar "story" to yours. I guess if I could give anyone advice it would be to join the clubs and societies that you're interested in during Orientation Week. They lead you to meet lots of people with similar interests.

Q: How would you describe your experience of ANU and what do you like best about living in Canberra?
Ban-Ya Yim: My experience with ANU has been great. One of the main reasons is that whatever you need it seems to be around: different people, different opportunities, different living options and flexibility with your degree and your future goals. I have met people I would never have met at home, I have had the privilege of being an Australian public servant thanks to my location in the nation's capital and in the middle of this year I will be going on exchange to a world class university in America. So really, ANU has given me great friends, an "internationalised" degree, a job and a wonderful experience.