My name is Pamela Hutchinson and I’m currently an Honours student in English literature.

Originally from Melbourne, I chose to study at ANU due to its reputation as one of Australia’s top universities. I was also keen to study in Canberra because of its standing as a ‘university town’, which was important to me because I wanted an inclusive and accessible university experience. Choosing to study at ANU was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made because it has given me a world-class education in a unique student environment.

I chose to study the Bachelor of International Relations because I was well aware that ANU is recognised for its leadership in the fields of politics and international relations. I also chose to study a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English, alongside the Bachelor of International Relations, as it allowed me to study a wider range of courses that interested me.

ANU quickly becomes your home away from home as you inherently feel a part of the student life on campus. From my experience living at Burgmann College, life on campus makes the transition from home to university a smooth and enjoyable experience. The residential college system at ANU is fantastic and I highly recommend it to prospective students. Intercollegiate events and competitions, such as dance and sport, are among the highlights of my three years at Burgmann. Studying at ANU also gives you a strong sense of independence and freedom to be yourself, as its campus is an inclusive environment that allows a student to thrive on both personal and academic levels.

A memorable experience from my bachelor degrees was my internship at the ACT Legislative Assembly as part of the Australian National Internships Program (ANIP). ANIP was a fantastic experience as it allowed me to make use of the close proximity to political institutions in Canberra. The internship also improved my professional skills which will be invaluable in my future career.

Another highlight from my time at ANU is my semester exchange to the Université de Genève. ANU Global Programs provides an excellent service to interested students, offering placements in 170 universities around the world. While on exchange in Geneva, I sought the opportunity to volunteer at the United Nations Open Day, which was a real test for my French speaking skills! This experience showed me that, if one is open-minded, one opportunity can often lead to another.

My best piece of advice to first year students is to make the most of your time at ANU, as you’ll never regret taking the opportunities on offer.