GENG Zhaohui

Student of The Second Military Medical University, China
Exchange to the University of Melbourne, Australia

I feel so happy and could not stop smiling every time when I recalled my experience in Melbourne. It was the best gift I received before the completion of my PhD study and the start of my working life. Definitely, it means a lot to me for my future career and life, thanks to the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards. Without this travelling experience, I will never know how different life could be and how precious what we have already owned.

To be honest, I realised I was not ready at all when I stepped into the unfamiliar country in the beginning – language, cooking three meals a day, getting lost on strange streets and trams, having no friends, doing everything on my own and most of the stuff is challenging. While my supervisor (Professor Krishnasamy), my lovely colleagues (Carol, Irene, Catherine, Erin, Karla, Natasha...) offered help for me to adapt to the work and life, I started to enjoy life in Melbourne in the following months. I am so proud and grateful to be one of this fantastic team and to be able to work in one of the best cancer centers in the world. I will never forget the birthday surprise they prepared for me and the special Christmas lunch we had together.

Gradually, the charm of Melbourne unveiled to me. I used to order one coffee at 10am each day, join any kind of seminar or workshop held in the University and the Cancer Center, discuss my research programme with other people, at the same time look forward to explore one more place on the weekend in Melbourne, such as Immigration Museum, Graffiti Street, Victoria Gallery, Melbourne Zoo, Royal Botanic Garden, Phillip Island, Town Hall, the Great Ocean Road, etc., and also take time to try another "Brunch". Every day I got good mood seeing the pure blue sky and breathing the fresh air. I concentrated a lot on my work and relaxed thoroughly during leisure. Deep in my heart, this simple and ideal lifestyle is most desirable for my future.

In addition, the open research atmosphere and efforts made for caring people impressed me a lot. The people here gave me respect and treated me as a younger researcher rather than a student. Thanks to my supervisor, I got a lot of opportunities to be involved in international conferences, charity activities, diverse research programmes and thus had more understanding about a different culture, at the same time, connections were made for potential international cooperation in the future. Through all these, I became more confident and independent.

The beautiful days in Melbourne will be one of my best memories and it opened my mind to discover the world. I miss my friends there and would like to give them my best wishes.

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