Alicia Wong
“I remember first coming to Canberra with my parents, we drove down from Sydney. And driving into the city, my parents said this looked like a good place to study.”
International Relations first appealed to a 15-year-old Alicia, when she participated in a model United Nations conference.
“You mean people do this as a job? Afterwards, I remember thinking I wouldn’t mind studying this. This sounds interesting. And it went from there.”
Looking back, Alicia chuckles and recalls it wasn’t likely the most accurate representation of how world diplomacy really operates. Nevertheless, at 15 it was enough to pique her interest and encourage an interest that sustained her through university to today, graduating with a Bachelor of International Relations from ANU.
Alicia came to ANU and Canberra from Singapore, initially completing study through ANU College before entering her Bachelor’s program. Compared to the scale and pace of life in Singapore, coming to Canberra presented a contrast, but one that Alicia and her family recognised as beneficial.
“I remember first coming to Canberra with my parents, we drove down from Sydney. And driving into the city, my parents said this looked like a good place to study.”
The calmer, slower lifestyle Canberra offered allowed Alicia to focus on her own well-being, on her studies, and enjoying a more balanced approach to life. Something her friends described as “the Canberra lifestyle.”
Coming to ANU in 2017, Alicia has seen a lot of change on campus in that time. The old Union Court was for a time replaced by the Pop Up Village, and finally by the exciting new Kambri precinct that has become a focal point for socialising and study. “I love the study spaces there.”
Living on campus Alicia made many friends while living in UniLodge, and enjoyed the convenience of having good coffee so close in the morning. What’s her favourite coffee spot? “Coffee Grounds! It has to be Coffee Grounds, nothing else. It’s so near ANU Sport. After you workout, before you work out, no matter what, there’s coffee.”
Alicia went home in November 2019 for the summer and to take a gap semester, not realising what was to come in 2020. Though difficult getting back into the faster pace of life in Singapore, and not being able to re-join friends back on campus, she’s stayed connected with uni, with friends, and even supporting students starting new remotely.
Alicia is enjoying a break before starting work with the Singapore Ministry of Trade, working with small to medium enterprises in international trade.
“I’m excited to be working and using what I learnt in Uni. There will be three rotations. The work focuses on companies in Singapore wanting to expand abroad and develop their capabilities. The rotation that excites me the most is working with the international markets team where we look at helping bring companies to market abroad. If I get to choose where I can go, I would be great to work in Indonesia as part of that because I studied a Minor in Bahasa during uni.”
Alicia is quick to emphasise the value learning a language provides, with prospective employers noting it favourably.
“I remember one interview for a research role, they said ‘Oh you’ve done Bahasa at ANU!’ because I think ANU is very known for teaching language from scratch and developing graduates who really know the language. I didn’t know we were that famous but thanks!”
In a world where it is easy to feel uncertain about the future, not the least because of a pandemic, Alicia encourages other graduates to stay positive.
“My advice would be don’t give up. It will get better and you’ll find where you’re meant to be in due time.”
