What It’s Like to Study Master of Teaching at Australian Catholic University at ACU Strathfield

For Simon from Malaysia, studying a Master of Teaching at Australian Catholic University (ACU) was about much more than preparing for a career in education. It was an opportunity to build resilience, develop lifelong friendships, and learn in an environment where students are encouraged to ask questions and support one another.

From collaborative study sessions to making the most of ACU’s student support services, Simon reflects on how his postgraduate journey helped prepare him for life as a future teacher.

Why Study Master of Teaching at Australian Catholic University

When Simon was deciding where to study, several factors made ACU stand out. Affordability, accessibility, and the university's reputation for teacher education all played an important role in his decision.

“A major factor was how affordable it was as an international student. ACU is one of the more affordable universities here.”

“I think another factor is how close it is to the station and how accessible it is.”

“Also the reputation. I think ACU is known for training teachers well. So for someone like me, if I wanted to study a teaching degree, I would want to go to ACU.”

These practical advantages, combined with the university's strong reputation in education, made ACU the right fit for his postgraduate studies.

What Is It Like Studying Teaching at ACU

One of Simon's favourite parts of studying teaching was the collaborative learning environment. Outside of class, he and his classmates regularly met to exchange ideas and learn from one another's experiences.

“We make the effort to meet at the library or at different parts of the campus for study hangouts.”

“It's a good time when we meet together because we get to talk about different strategies that we can use as teachers in the classroom, how to prepare lesson plans, and all the other work.”

Rather than studying alone, these discussions became an extension of the classroom and helped everyone develop practical teaching skills together.

How Easy Is It to Make Friends at Australian Catholic University

Starting university can feel intimidating, but Simon found that ACU created opportunities for students to connect from the very beginning.

“During orientation, I got to meet a lot of my friends from my cohort.”

“Initially, it required a bit of ice-breaking to get to know them.”

“I remember in my first semester, the professor was very keen to have games before the tutorials or lectures started. That really broke down some of the walls we had and made us comfortable with each other.”

“That helped us have fun and learn how to let loose.”

These early experiences laid the foundation for friendships that became an important part of his university journey.

Student Support Services at Australian Catholic University

Like many postgraduate students, Simon faced moments where the workload felt overwhelming. Looking back, he credits ACU's support services with helping him persevere.

“I'm really proud of how far I've come.”

“There were definitely moments when I thought, ‘Why am I doing this? Oh my goodness, it's so tough.’”

“The counselling services, the student advocacy services, the international student advisor, and even just reaching out to a lecturer or professor—all of these factors helped me continue and finish this degree.”

“I'm proud of being more resilient as a result of doing this degree. That resilience will carry me through, especially when I become a teacher in the future.”

For Simon, academic success wasn't just about completing assignments—it was about developing resilience that would benefit him throughout his teaching career.

Student Life at ACU Strathfield

Outside of university, Simon enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active, making the most of everything Sydney has to offer.

“I am a very outgoing person. I like going for bush walks.”

“I like playing badminton. Especially coming from Malaysia, badminton is a huge deal.”

“I like going to the beach as well. I specifically like going to Shelly Beach.”

“Generally, I just try to get outdoors as much as I can.”

Maintaining this balance between study and personal wellbeing helped make his postgraduate experience more enjoyable.

Sydney is a city with lots of activities for students

Why Study at ACU Strathfield Campus

Simon believes the Strathfield campus offers an ideal location for students living in Sydney.

“It's such a strategic location because it's not too far from my place, and it's not too far from the station.”

“ACU provides shuttle services; they come pretty often, and they're free.”

“As a student, I really appreciate that because, as I said, you want to get as many free services as you can.”

Easy transport connections and practical student services helped make everyday life more convenient.

Culture Shock for International Students in Australia

Having previously studied at a much larger university, Simon initially experienced a different kind of culture shock when arriving at ACU.

“I had a bit of a culture shock because I came from a bigger university during my first degree.”

“But it's a good change.”

“The older I get as a postgraduate student, the more I want some peace. I want to make friends that actually matter.”

“I think ACU Strathfield has been a great place for me to have that kind of experience.”

For Simon, the smaller, more personal campus environment became one of the biggest strengths of studying at ACU.

Advice for International Students Studying at Australian Catholic University

Reflecting on his journey, Simon encourages future students to take advantage of the supportive culture at ACU and invest time in building meaningful friendships.

“ACU is a place where they encourage you to ask questions, to be open about the things you don't know, and they're more than willing to help.”

“My second piece of advice would be to make friends.”

“Having a support network and fellow peers who are also training to become teachers, knowing someone is going through the same thing as you, helps make the journey much easier.”

His experience shows that success at university isn't just about academic achievement—it also comes from finding a community that supports you every step of the way.

Watch Simon’s Experience Studying at Australian Catholic University

To learn more about Simon's journey from Malaysia to Australia and what it's like to study a Master of Teaching at Australian Catholic University in Strathfield, watch his full story in the video below.