Studying Bachelor of Nursing at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney

Moving from Nepal to Australia to study nursing came with excitement, uncertainty, and many questions for Anshuma. Now studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Australian Catholic University (ACU) in Sydney, she has built a life filled with friendships, hands-on learning, volunteering experiences, and personal growth.

From navigating her first semester as an international student to gaining confidence in clinical settings, Anshuma shares what it’s really like to study nursing at ACU.

Why Study a Bachelor of Nursing at the Australian Catholic University, Sydney

For Anshuma, one of the first things that stood out about ACU was how active and welcoming the university environment felt from the moment she arrived.

“A lot of things surprised me when I first got to ACU. The first thing was that there were a lot of events and a lot of activities happening. I'm a person who tries their best to be an extrovert and go into other people's events and have fun.”

Being involved in campus activities helped her feel connected quickly and made her transition into university life much smoother.

What Is It Like Living in Sydney as an International Student

Studying in Sydney gave Anshuma access not only to a globally recognised city but also to a diverse and supportive community.

“Being an international student, Sydney has provided me with a lot of opportunities. It provided a lot of good people in my life.”

“I've made a lot of friends, met so many teachers who taught me how things can be dealt with, and then a lot of counselors. They're all from Sydney. Lots and lots of beautiful people.”

Her experience reflects what many international students hope to find when moving abroad: opportunity, support, and meaningful relationships.

How Easy Is It to Make Friends at ACU Sydney

Building friendships was another important part of Anshuma’s journey, especially after moving away from her home country and community.

“I've made a lot of friends after I came in here, because when I was back in my country, it was just more like my community kind of friends.”

“And then when I came in here, and then saw so many people, they have different styles of making friends, but I tried to make friends from all over the world, and they're so nice.”

The multicultural environment at ACU allowed her to connect with students from many different backgrounds, creating friendships both inside and outside the classroom.

ACU North Sydney campus is surrounded by tall buildings, cafes and shops

ACU North Sydney Campus Location and Student Lifestyle

One of the things Anshuma appreciates most about ACU is the North Sydney campus location and how accessible it is through public transport.

“The campus location is beautiful. I use public transport for travel. I come to the North Sydney station, and when you come out of the station, there are so many cafes and so many shops.”

Having cafes, shops, and transport connections nearby makes student life more convenient, especially during busy nursing schedules.

Nursing Labs and Practical Learning at Australian Catholic University

Hands-on learning has been one of the most exciting parts of Anshuma’s nursing degree, particularly the university’s realistic simulation labs.

“There are lectures, tutorials, and then the labs. The thing that I like most about my uni days is my labs.”

“The mannequins there are so realistic, they have like a tube going on from their nose. They have like a can inserted in their neck, and then they have the drains, and we can actually flush it, and it collects, and they just throw it out later.  So it's like hyper-realistic dummies in here.”

These simulation experiences help students build confidence and prepare for real clinical environments before entering hospital placements.

A sunset over the Harbour Bridge.

Nursing Placements at ACU for International Students

Clinical placements are one of the most important parts of studying nursing, and Anshuma values how ACU considers student preferences and convenience during placement allocation.

“The best thing that we have is that we can add our preferences. Where do we want to work or where do we want to be placed”

“Whatever we're trying to learn, they're trying to provide it to us, and then they provide the placements, usually close to our place.”

She believes these details make a significant difference in the student experience.

“It's a tiny thing that actually makes people remember this is how you treated me. This is how they have been to me.”

Fear of Studying Nursing Abroad and Building Confidence

Like many international students, Anshuma experienced self-doubt when she first arrived in Australia.

“When I was an international student, when I first got my confirmation of enrollment in ACU, I was so nervous if I was even capable of doing nursing.”

“So it was that constant doubt, constant questioning yourself if I'm worth it, if I'm enough to study nursing, if I have enough empathy. That was the biggest fear I had when I first stepped into the ACU.”

However, over time, that fear transformed into confidence.

“But after three years of being an international student, I just want to say that you are definitely going to be scared when you first come in.”

“And trust me when I say this, after my third year of nursing, you are going to do fine.”



“You're just going to be fine. You are going to be confident. You are going to be so confident that once you step out of ACU as a new graduate, you'll be all ready to work in a hospital.”