Dec 09 2025
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Informational, Straight talk

When Desire Meets Power: What Footballers Reveal About Men

Footballers live close to the edge of human experience. Wealth arrives early. Fame follows quickly. Attention becomes constant. To observe their lives is to ask a deeper question about human nature itself: what happens to desire when nothing stands in its way?

Modern footballers often sit at the intersection of money, beauty, status and opportunity. They inhabit a world where doors open without asking, where messages flood in without effort, and where temptation is neither distant nor abstract. It is present, persistent and often consequence-free. Many live double lives. Some form families while maintaining parallel relationships. Others avoid commitment entirely, choosing novelty as a permanent lifestyle. This pattern is so common that rarity now belongs to restraint.

This is not merely tabloid material. It is a philosophical question about limits.

Most men are shaped by scarcity. Not just financial scarcity, but emotional and relational scarcity. Desire exists, but it is narrowed by fear. Fear of loss. Fear of humiliation. Fear of consequences. For the average man, morality is reinforced by risk. Behaviour is disciplined by what might be taken away.

Footballers exist in a different psychological economy. The traditional risks lose their sting. Financial loss is relative. Reputation can be repaired. Families fractured by scandal rarely threaten their ability to live comfortably. In that environment, moral behaviour is no longer enforced by consequence. It becomes, if anything, a choice rather than a necessity.

This forces an uncomfortable shift in perspective. Perhaps footballers are not exceptional in their flaws, but unusually honest in their exposure. They are men without the usual filters. Men whose inner impulses are no longer hidden by practical restraints.

There is an old philosophical tension between freedom and virtue. Is morality meaningful if it depends on fear? If a man behaves well only because punishment is possible, is he virtuous or merely cautious? Footballers test this idea in real time. When punishment weakens, many do not become better men. They become more transparent men.

Celebrity culture intensifies this. Musicians, actors, influencers and athletes share similar behavioural patterns. Multiple partners. Secret relationships. Chaotic personal lives. Substance abuse. The pattern is too consistent to treat as coincidence. Power does not invent vice. It removes silence from it.

And yet, these men are not entirely free. Every movement is watched. Every mistake is documented. Their lives unfold under constant surveillance. Publicly they are controlled, sanitised, curated. Privately they live with a form of insulation. The same fame that exposes them also protects them. The same wealth that attracts attention absorbs impact.

This creates a paradox. They are both trapped and untethered. Watched by millions, yet constrained by almost nothing that governs ordinary life.

The uncomfortable possibility is not that footballers are morally inferior. It is that they represent an unvarnished version of something ordinary. What most men might become if the brakes were removed. If money was irrelevant. If rejection disappeared. If admiration was guaranteed. If temptation was constant and costless.

It is easy to feel superior from a safe distance. To moralise about loyalty, restraint and dignity. But distance is comfort. Philosophy asks for honesty. Would the average man, handed limitless attention, physical validation and luxury, suddenly become more disciplined? Or would he simply become more visible in his flaws?

The idea that fame corrupts may be too simple. It may not corrupt at all. It may reveal. It may expose what was always present but safely hidden behind fear, lack and limitation.

Some men, even then, would choose discipline. They would build quiet lives. They would resist chaos. But perhaps they are not the majority. Perhaps they never were.

Footballers do not distort human nature. They magnify it.

And that is why their lives make us uncomfortable. Not because they are alien. But because they are familiar in ways we would rather not admit.

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Nov 01 2025
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Culture, informational

Why Aussies Move Abroad as Expats

There’s a funny thing about Australians. We live in one of the most comfortable, stable, sun-soaked countries on the planet and yet, every year, thousands of us pack our bags, kiss the gum trees goodbye, and take off to live overseas.

You might think it doesn’t make sense. Why trade beaches for grey skies? Good coffee for burnt drip? And fifteen-dollar smashed avo for well, okay, that one sort of explains itself. But there’s more to it. For a lot of Aussies, moving abroad isn’t about escaping home. It’s about expanding it.

Let’s get into why so many of us take the leap.

The There’s Gotta Be More Feeling

Australia is easy to love. The lifestyle’s good, the weather’s decent most of the time, and life runs pretty smoothly. But there’s a certain bubble about it. You grow up, go to school, hit uni, get a job, and before you know it, life feels predictable.

It’s not that there’s anything wrong with that, but plenty of Aussies start wondering what else is out there. Whether it’s curiosity, boredom, or just a restless urge to see how other parts of the world live, that itch is real.

You hear people say, I’ll just go for a year and ten years later they’re still gone. The world’s a big place, and sometimes you only realise how big once you step outside Australia’s clean little borders.

The Career Leap

Here’s the truth. As great as Australia is, it can feel professionally limiting depending on your field. Our economy is steady, but it’s not exactly massive. You’ve got a handful of big cities, a few industries that dominate, and that’s about it.

A lot of Aussies go abroad to fast-track their careers. London’s finance world. New York’s chaos. Singapore’s corporate jungle. Dubai’s tax-free allure. Suddenly you’re surrounded by global networks, bigger opportunities, and a much faster pace.

For young professionals, it’s not just about money. It’s about growth. You see people from all over the world hustling, competing, learning, and you start levelling up too. Then when you do eventually come home, you’re sharper, more worldly, and often far more employable.

The Love of Travel and Escaping Isolation

You don’t fully realise how far away Australia is until you leave it. Flights to anywhere cost a small fortune and take an eternity. Europe and Asia suddenly feel like a fantasy land.

Living abroad fixes that. You move to London and suddenly Paris is two hours away. From Singapore, Bali’s a weekend trip. From New York, South America’s practically next door. The world opens up, literally.

For a lot of Aussies, it’s about making up for all the years we’ve been stuck at the bottom of the map. You can work Monday to Friday, hop on a budget flight, and be in another country by dinner. It’s intoxicating.

And once you get a taste of that freedom, it’s hard to go back to fifteen-hour flights and two-thousand-dollar tickets.

The Cultural Curiosity

There’s a stereotype that Aussies are too laid-back, but that same easygoing attitude is what helps us blend in everywhere. Aussies adapt fast. You’ll find them leading teams in London, opening cafés in Berlin, teaching English in Japan, or working in startups across Southeast Asia.

It’s not always easy. Culture shock hits. You miss the sunshine, the food, the sense of humour. You realise how spoiled we are with healthcare, safety, and decent wages. But that’s part of the experience. It humbles you.

You start seeing Australia differently too. You appreciate it more, even while you’re living somewhere that challenges every comfort you grew up with.

The Money Factor

Alright, we have to talk about money. Some people move overseas because they want adventure. Others move because Australia’s expensive.

When rent for a basic apartment in Melbourne or Sydney hits seven hundred dollars a week, you start questioning the meaning of life. Plenty of Aussies move abroad because it’s simply more affordable or at least they can earn more relative to costs.

The UK, the US, Singapore, even parts of Europe can offer higher salaries in certain sectors. Combine that with lower tax in some places and suddenly you’ve got savings potential you’d never dream of back home.

Of course, there’s the flip side. Some expats spend just as much because they get caught up in the lifestyle. Brunches in Notting Hill, weekends in Amsterdam, shopping in Tokyo. It adds up. But the opportunity to earn more and see more still draws people in.

The Need to Grow and Maybe to Escape

Let’s be honest. Some Aussies move abroad to grow up. Others move to escape.

For a lot of us, Australia can feel like a bubble, comfortable but a bit too familiar. Same people, same routines, same expectations. Moving abroad shakes that up. You’re forced to adapt, rebuild, and start over from scratch. It’s confronting but freeing.

You learn who you are outside your comfort zone. You face homesickness, loneliness, and the occasional meltdown in a foreign supermarket trying to find Milo. But you also grow resilience and perspective.

A lot of people who leave Australia come back years later saying the same thing. It made me appreciate home more. And that’s true. You see both the cracks and the beauty in the place you came from.

The Global Identity Thing

There’s a quiet pride that comes with being Australian overseas. You become an unofficial ambassador. People ask where your accent’s from and when you say Australia, they light up.

They think of beaches, good manners, barbecues, maybe Chris Hemsworth. You realise how the world sees us. Relaxed, open, dependable. And it makes you want to live up to that.

But there’s also something deeper. Aussies who live abroad often build a more global identity. They become citizens of the world, comfortable anywhere. You can drop them in Berlin, Bangkok, or Boston and they’ll make it work. There’s a quiet adaptability that’s uniquely Australian.

Coming Full Circle

Eventually, most Aussies abroad reach a crossroads. Some stay overseas for good. Others start to crave home. The wide streets, the beach air, the friendliness that doesn’t need explaining.

When they do come back, they’re not quite the same people who left. They’ve seen how others live, worked with people from everywhere, and learned to find comfort in discomfort. They appreciate Australia more, even the little things they used to roll their eyes at.

It’s not always easy settling back in. Reverse culture shock is real. But it’s also a kind of peace. You’ve seen the world, and now you know exactly what makes home special.

Final Thoughts

So why do Aussies move abroad? Curiosity, opportunity, restlessness, love, money, self-discovery. It’s different for everyone. But underneath it all, there’s this shared trait. We want to live, not just exist.

Moving abroad doesn’t make you more cultured or more successful. It just changes how you see things. It stretches you. It teaches you that home isn’t one place. It’s a feeling you carry with you.

And if you ever find yourself halfway across the world missing Aussie beaches, a proper coffee, and the sound of magpies in the morning, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Oct 07 2025
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informational

The Real Cost of Living in Melbourne as a Uni Student (2025 Breakdown)

There’s something romantic about the idea of moving to Melbourne for uni. You imagine yourself sipping a flat white in Carlton, jotting notes in a café between lectures, and strolling through the laneways feeling all cultured and sophisticated.

Then reality hits. Rent prices. Myki charges. Groceries that make you question if you accidentally wandered into a luxury store. Suddenly, you’re not living your “student dream”, you’re just surviving it.

Here’s what Melbourne really costs in 2025 if you’re a uni student, and a few hacks to make it sting a little less.

Rent: The Beast That Eats Your Pay check

Let’s start with the big one, rent.

If you’re living solo near the CBD (Carlton, Parkville, Southbank, or Fitzroy), expect to pay anywhere from $450 to $650 a week for a studio or one-bed apartment. Yes, a week. You could practically rent a small villa in Bali for that.

Most students share houses instead. In suburbs like Brunswick, North Melbourne, or Footscray, a room in a decent share house will set you back about $250 to $350 a week. If you’re lucky, that includes bills. If not, add another $30 to $50 for electricity, gas, water and Wi-Fi.

Further out, places like Preston, Coburg or Box Hill have rooms for $200 to $250. It’s cheaper and quieter, but you’ll trade it for longer commutes and the occasional early-morning meltdown at a bus stop in the rain.

Hack:

  • Check flatmates.com.au or uni housing Facebook groups for sublets mid-semester.
  • Live near a train line. Trams are convenient but painfully slow.
  • Don’t underestimate outer suburbs like Reservoir or Sunshine. They’re cheaper, full of good food, and still connected.

Groceries: The Weekly Reality Check

You think $50 will cover your groceries? That’s adorable.

Realistically, expect $80 to $120 a week if you’re cooking most meals. Coles and Woolies will happily rob you blind if you don’t shop smart, while Aldi remains the unsung hero for broke students.

If you stick to basics like rice, pasta, stir-fries, oats, eggs, frozen veggies and chicken, you’ll survive comfortably. Add snacks or the occasional sushi roll and your total climbs fast.

Hack:

  • Buy in bulk and freeze meals.
  • Head to Queen Vic Market or Preston Market for cheaper produce.
  • Limit yourself to one takeaway coffee a day. Six-dollar oat caps add up faster than you’d think.

Transport: The Myki Menace

Public transport in Melbourne is functional. Not glamorous, but it gets you there eventually.

Full-time students get a concession Myki card, and a 7-day Zone 1+2 pass costs about $23.90. That covers trams, trains and buses across most of Melbourne.

If you’re living central and mostly catching trams, you’ll spend $10 to $20 a week. Out in the suburbs, especially if you’re at Monash Clayton, it’s closer to $30 to $40 weekly.

Hack:

  • Always tap on and off. The $280 fine isn’t worth it.
  • Invest in good sneakers. Walking is free and often faster than the tram that’s been “two minutes away” for fifteen minutes straight.

Eating Out and Social Life: Death by Brunch

Melbourne’s food scene is unreal, but it’ll bankrupt you if you’re not careful.

A casual meal out is $20 to $25, and brunch can hit $30 once you add a coffee. Do that a few times a week and you’re looking at over $300 a month. Most students find a middle ground between home cooking and the occasional café splurge.

Budget $50 to $70 a week for social stuff like meals, drinks, or movies. That’s enough to have fun without blowing your savings.

Hack:

  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are discount days at heaps of restaurants and cinemas.
  • Follow your favourite food spots on Instagram. They post weekday deals constantly.
  • Never underestimate $1 sushi rolls from uni food courts.

Utilities, Internet and Phone

Bills are annoying but inevitable. Expect roughly:

  • $20 to $30 a week on electricity, gas and water (depending on your share house).
  • $15 to $20 a week for decent Wi-Fi.
  • $10 to $15 a week on your phone plan (Amaysim and Boost are solid options for budget users).

It’s not glamorous. When you’re splitting bills with housemates who think differently, you’ll want to keep a bit extra aside.

Total Monthly Breakdown (Roughly)

CategoryLow RangeMid RangeHigh Range
Rent$800$1,200$2,400
Groceries$320$400$480
Transport$80$120$160
Eating Out and Social$200$300$400
Utilities and Bills$150$200$250
Total$1,550$2,220$3,690

You are looking at around $2,000 to $2,500 a month to live comfortably as a uni student in Melbourne in 2025. This estimation ensures you maintain a balanced lifestyle. That’s assuming you’re not living large, but also not surviving solely on instant noodles and self-pity.

Final Thoughts

Melbourne’s an incredible city to study in. It’s creative, diverse and full of life. But it’s also expensive, and pretending otherwise just makes things harder.

The trick is balance. Learn where to spend and where to save. Splurge on moments that matter. Enjoy a concert, a weekend trip, or a great meal with friends. Cut corners where it doesn’t matter.

No one has it all figured out. Every student here is just trying to find their rhythm. They juggle lectures, part-time work, and the cost of simply existing in one of the world’s most livable cities.

You’ll make it work. Bit by bit, on cheap (instant) coffee and pure grit.

Sep 28 2025
2 Comments
Informational, Stories, Student Profile

Melbourne vs Sydney Uni Life: What No One Tells You

Today’s post is a Guest Post from a reader, which I thought would be worth sharing.

When I was weighing up whether to study in Melbourne or Sydney, I assumed the choice would be all about rankings, glossy brochures, and which city looked better on Instagram. Both are global cities. Both have beaches (yes, Melbourne technically does, but you’ll hear the debate about St Kilda beach until the end of time). Both have big universities with sprawling campuses.

What I didn’t realise is that your uni city isn’t just where you go to class. It becomes your environment, your community, your backdrop for some of the most formative years of your life. The little details, rent prices, weather, the way people talk to each other on public transport matter more than you think. They shape how you feel, who you meet, and even how you grow.

I’ve studied in Melbourne, but I’ve spent a fair amount of time with friends in Sydney, swapping stories and living in each other’s worlds for short bursts. Comparing the two has been eye-opening, and what I’ve learned is that the differences aren’t just surface-level.

So, here it is. No sugar-coating, no PR spin. The costs, the culture, the good, the bad, and the in-between. This is what no one tells you about Melbourne vs Sydney uni life.

The Brutal Reality of Costs

Sydney is expensive. Painfully so. It’s the kind of expensive where you’ll scroll through rental listings and wonder if a windowless cupboard counts as a “studio apartment.” If you want to live anywhere remotely close to the city or eastern suburbs, be prepared to pour most of your paycheck into rent.

I stayed with a mate in Sydney who was paying nearly $400 a week for her half of a shoebox apartment in Glebe. My rent in Melbourne? Half that, with an actual living room and a kitchen where you could open the fridge without smacking into the wall.

Melbourne is hardly cheap, but it’s manageable. You can live in a share house within tram distance of the city without needing three side hustles. Groceries are about the same, but eating out feels less punishing. There are hidden gems – dumpling spots in Chinatown, $12 laksa in the CBD, Vietnamese rolls in Footscray, where you can get full without your bank account crying.

Sydney does offer higher casual wages, especially in hospitality, and there’s more demand for casual staff. My Sydney friends working in cafes or retail definitely earn more per hour than I did in Melbourne. But the problem is, it all gets eaten up by rent anyway. You might make more, but you’ll also spend more just to exist.

Culture: The Invisible Divide

It’s hard to describe, but the cultural “feel” of the two cities is completely different. And this is where your uni experience shifts without you even noticing.

Melbourne is slower, but in the best way. It’s a city that rewards wandering. You’ll stumble into laneway cafes, watch a busker outside Flinders Street Station who’s actually pretty good, or end up at a pop-up art show because your mate dragged you along. Students spend hours sprawled on the South Lawn at Melbourne Uni, sipping coffee and arguing about politics like they’re auditioning for Q&A.

Sydney has this energy that feels almost electric. Everyone’s moving with purpose, even if they’re just heading to Woolies. The city runs on ambition. Students there are sharper, faster, and sometimes more competitive. It’s infectious; if you thrive on that hustle, you’ll find yourself running at a higher gear. But it can also be exhausting. There’s less space to just sit and breathe without feeling like you’re “falling behind.”

Melbourne students often joke that Sydney is “all show,” while Sydney students counter that Melbourne is “too smug.” There’s some truth to both. Sydney dazzles you with the harbour, the skyline, and the beaches. Melbourne wins you over slowly, with its art, food, and culture that creeps under your skin until you can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Uni Life: Two Different Worlds

Sydney’s unis feel bigger, flashier, and more hierarchical. Walk onto USyd’s sandstone campus and it feels like stepping into a movie set. It’s beautiful, but also intimidating. Societies are active and networking is everywhere. People dress sharper. There’s a quiet but noticeable divide between students who came from private schools and those who didn’t.

UNSW feels a little more “corporate” — future lawyers, engineers, consultants, all moving quickly toward their careers. It’s exciting, but it can feel transactional. My Sydney mates often mention the pressure: everyone’s already talking about grad roles in second year.

Melbourne unis, on the other hand, feel more laid back. Melbourne Uni still has its prestige, but the vibe is less cutthroat. Students sit on the grass with cheap coffee, debating ideas more than careers. RMIT has a practical, creative energy — you’ll see design students sketching on laptops next to engineering students with toolkits. Monash has its own insulated world out in Clayton, where you basically live on campus and the community becomes tight-knit.

The downside in Melbourne? Cliques form fast. Arts kids with arts kids, engineers with engineers. If you don’t make an effort to branch out, you might stay in your bubble.

The Vibe of Each City

Sydney wins hands down on natural beauty. Waking up near Coogee Beach or catching a ferry across the harbour before class feels like a movie scene. If you need water, sand, and sun to keep you sane, Sydney is unbeatable.

Melbourne, though, is built for students. It’s cheaper to get around, public transport actually works once you figure out Myki, and the city is crammed with cafes and libraries where you can study for hours without being told to move along. The weather is… chaotic, sure. Four seasons in one day isn’t a myth. But the cultural life makes up for it: free galleries, night markets, live music, and community events.

Sydney’s vibe can feel like “make it or break it.” Melbourne’s vibe feels like “find your people and grow with them.”

The Emotional Side

This is the part no one talks about when you’re 18 and just looking at glossy uni rankings. Your uni city doesn’t just shape your resume, it shapes your identity.

My Sydney friends are resilient. They’re ambitious, sharper, and quicker to grab opportunities. But they also talk about loneliness. Sydney is beautiful, but it can be isolating. Everyone’s busy. Everyone’s chasing something. If you fall behind, it feels like no one’s waiting for you.

Melbourne has given me space to breathe. It’s less about competition and more about connection. I’ve built friendships here that feel more like family. There are still moments where I wonder if I’ve missed out by not being in Sydney’s “big pond,” but I also know I’ve grown in ways I might not have if I were always running.

So, Which is Better?

The truth? Neither. It depends on who you are.

If you thrive in high energy, love beaches, and want to be surrounded by driven people who’ll push you, Sydney will shape you in ways Melbourne can’t. If you want community, culture, and the freedom to figure yourself out without constant pressure, Melbourne will feel like home.

Both cities will challenge you, both will change you. But the way they do it is different.

For me, Melbourne was the right choice. It taught me balance. It let me grow at my own pace. It gave me people who genuinely cared, not just contacts for LinkedIn. Still, when I sit by Sydney Harbour on a sunny day, I get it. I see the magic.

At the end of the day, it’s not about which city ranks higher or has prettier photos. It’s about whether you find your rhythm, your community, and a version of yourself you can be proud of. That’s what no one tells you when you’re making the decision. And maybe that’s something you only learn once you’ve lived it.

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Aug 27 2025
3 Comments
Informational, Straight talk

Gym, Sports, and Staying Fit on a Student Budget in Melbourne

Trying to stay fit in Melbourne as a student isn’t exactly straightforward. Between rent, parking fines, and $7 oat lattes, a gym membership feels like a luxury. Letting your health slide isn’t the answer either. Being “young” doesn’t actually make you invincible, no matter what your 19-year-old metabolism once told you.

Here’s how to keep active in Melbourne without setting fire to your bank account, especially as a (broke) student

1. Uni Gyms: Cheap and Close Enough

Most universities have gyms located on or near their campuses. They’re not glamorous, but they’re cheap, and you don’t need glamour when you’re there to sweat, not film TikToks. At around $30 to $70 a month, it’s hard to argue.

Group classes are often included as well. Boxing, yoga, HIIT… if you’re hopeless at motivating yourself, having someone bark instructions at you for 45 minutes works wonders.

2. Outdoor Gyms: Free, Slightly Questionable, But Effective

Every second park in Melbourne seems to have outdoor gym equipment these days. It’s not going to make you look like Zyzz, but if you use the pull-up bars and dip stations properly, you’ll build strength. The gear might feel a bit flimsy, but the price tag makes it hard to complain.

3. Sports Clubs: Exercise That Doesn’t Feel Like Exercise

If you can’t stand the gym, join a sports club. Melbourne unis have everything from soccer to martial arts to ultimate frisbee (yes, it still exists). It’s exercise disguised as fun, and you’ll meet people who aren’t just stressing about the same assignments as you. Memberships are usually cheap, and the regular training schedule forces you to show up.

4. Walk More, Tram Less

If you’re jumping on the tram for two stops, you’re not saving time; you’re being lazy. Melbourne’s inner suburbs are ridiculously walkable. Walking to and from campus or between suburbs is free cardio. It also saves you from watching your Myki balance vanish every week.

5. Home Workouts: Aldi, Kmart, and Creativity

Kmart and Aldi occasionally stock weights, resistance bands, and yoga mats. Grab a couple and you’ve got yourself a DIY home gym. If you can’t afford even that, bodyweight workouts still do the trick. Push-ups, squats, planks… It’s not rocket science. Your housemates might laugh when you’re doing burpees in the lounge room, but they’ll be the ones wheezing after two flights of stairs.

6. Diet: Don’t Undo Your Work

You can’t train properly if you eat like rubbish. Bulk buy basics like rice, pasta, oats, frozen veg, and chicken when it’s on special. Throw in beans, lentils, and tinned tuna for cheap protein. It’s not glamorous, but your body won’t care.

And no, Uber Eats doesn’t count as meal prep.

Final Thoughts..

Melbourne is getting expensive, no arguments there. Staying fit doesn’t have to be. Use the uni gyms, make use of the outdoor equipment, join a club, walk more, and cook like an adult. None of it is complicated; it just requires consistency.

At the end of the day, your body doesn’t care if you trained at a flashy city gym or did push-ups in your bedroom. It just wants you to move, so you can avoid the freshman 15.

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Jul 14 2025
2 Comments
Classic, Culture, Informational, Straight talk

They All Did OK – A Reflection on Where We Came From

A guest post from a Melbourne friend of mine whom I recently bumped into whilst travelling, we were reminiscing days back at University and despite coming from different parts of Melbourne and different backgrounds, we had a lot of similarities. Below is his post. Enjoy!

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A mate of mine recently went down a bit of a rabbit hole, stalking some of our old high school crew from back in Melbourne. I’ve never really been on social media, so I didn’t have much of a clue where most people had ended up. But I’ll admit, it was interesting. Eye-opening, even.

The overwhelming takeaway?
They all did OK.

Most of them, anyway.

From what he could piece together, the vast majority stayed in Melbourne. They’ve carved out reasonably stable lives, average jobs, a couple of nice cars floating around, weddings here and there, kids in the mix. A few have crossed that elusive median income mark, which, if you knew where they came from, would be seen as a win. These were the kids who grew up around Centrelink offices, corner milk bars that sold more ciggies than milk, and families where university wasn’t so much discouraged, it just wasn’t part of the conversation.

To see them now, doing alright, building lives, that’s something to be proud of.

Some got married early. Like, really early. Kids by 21. A few had families before they’d even had a proper go at figuring themselves out. Interestingly, those who went straight into TAFE or full-time work after Year 12 seemed to start families younger, while the university crowd generally waited a bit longer, maybe not by design, but more so a side effect of trying to hustle degrees, internships, and grad roles before thinking about nappies and school pick-ups.

But that’s not a criticism. In fact, it’s kind of fascinating how the path you take after high school shapes not just your career but your life timeline. The ones who knuckled down early: apprentices, trades, retail supervisors, they got a head start in adulting, while others were still trying to figure out their student HECS debt and how to do a proper meal prep.

There was a certain insularity that lingered with many of them, though. You can see it in the social media posts and the local check-ins. Most haven’t ventured too far beyond the radius of where they grew up. Same suburb, same mates, same rhythm. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. For a lot of people, that’s safety. That’s comfort. That’s community. But for me, there was always a quiet pull to break away from that, to see what else was out there, to rewrite the blueprint a little.

It’s worth acknowledging the reporting bias too. The ones who post the most on socials? They’re usually the ones who are doing well enough to want to show it off. The holidays to Asia, the car upgrades, the weddings with drone footage. But there were names I hadn’t heard in years, ones that didn’t show up in the digital highlight reel. A few had fallen into rough crowds, made some bad choices, got stuck in loops that are hard to break out of. No judgment, it could’ve been any of us, really. The margins are thin when you’re young, broke, and trying to find direction with no map.

And then there are the ghosts. The ones who, like me, just aren’t online. No Facebook status updates, no Instagram reels, nothing to like or react to. Not because they’re hiding, just because they’re living. Quietly. Privately. Maybe they’ve outgrown the need for that constant performance. Maybe they’ve learned that fulfilment doesn’t need an audience. I can relate to that.

Looking back, I can’t help but feel a bit of pride, not just for what I’ve done, but for all of us. For coming from a background where we were surrounded by distractions and dead-ends, and still managing to find something that resembles stability. Some of us took longer. Some got there quicker. Some are still on the journey. But in a world that often reduces success to job titles and house prices, it’s important to remember that for some people, just getting through is a win.

For me, the need to hustle was always there, part internal drive, part external pressure. I didn’t want the default path. I didn’t want to be the guy who peaked in Year 12 or never left the west. I wanted more, even when I didn’t know exactly what “more” looked like. So, I moved, I studied, I worked, I took risks. Gratefully, I’ve been fortunate enough to find some sense of purpose and direction, even if the path wasn’t always clear.

But here’s the thing: I don’t think I’m better than anyone. Just different. And in many ways, I owe a lot to those who stayed, to those who reminded me of what I left behind, and why. Their stories ground me. They remind me not to take anything for granted.

It’s also a lesson in not romanticising the past too much. Our teenage years were messy, confusing, sometimes beautiful but often brutal. A lot of us were just trying to survive in our own ways, through humour, bravado, sport, study, or silence. We didn’t have therapists or TikTok wellness advice. We had each other, skipping class and going to the local shopping centre, playing console and computer games after school and the usual joys of adolescence that come with that era.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this, it’s that life’s not a race. The paths we take are as varied as the reasons behind them. Some of us sprint, some crawl, some double back and start again. And some just stay put… and that’s OK too.

So, here’s to the quiet wins.
To the ones raising families with love and patience.
To the ones holding down jobs and paying off mortgages.
To the ones who might’ve stumbled but kept getting back up.
To the ones who never made it online..but still made it somewhere.

They all did OK.
And who knows, maybe I did too?

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Jun 13 2025
2 Comments
informational, Stories

Lonely in the Crowd: What no one tells your about moving abroad

There’s a photo of me walking through Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong on a humid summer night. Neon lights blazing. Tourists buzzing. Bass thumping from the clubs around every corner. The energy felt electric.. like life was happening at full volume.

And for a split second, I actually believed it: “This… this is what I’m meant to be doing.”

But deep down? I felt empty.

Not depressed. Not broken. Just… hollow. Like I was watching my own life from outside my body.

That’s the part no one talks about when they glamorise the expat journey, the side of ambition that comes with emotional tax. When you leave home in search of more, loneliness often sneaks in through the side door. It doesn’t always shout – sometimes it just sits with you quietly while you’re surrounded by thousands of people.

Growing Pains in Placid Places

I grew up in Melbourne, brunch capital, AFL obsession, and weather that changes its mind every five minutes. It’s familiar. Clean. Predictable. Safe. All the things a well-functioning society is supposed to be.

But in my early 20s, that comfort started feeling like a cage.

I’d walk the same streets, see the same people, have the same conversations. Day in, day out. The rhythm of life in Melbourne felt like it was designed to keep you content, not curious.

And if you’re wired to push boundaries, to explore who you are beyond your postcode, that routine becomes suffocating. Melbourne is a fantastic place to raise a family. It’s perfect in your 40s. But when you’re young, hungry, and slightly restless? It can feel like being stuck in neutral while the world outside is flying past in fifth gear.

It wasn’t hate for the place. It was frustration with what I was becoming in it.

So when an awesome overseas work opportunity came up abroad from my company, I took it with both arms and left.

The Great Escape…

Singapore. Paris. London. New York.

Say those names out loud and they sound like success. Like freedom. Like you’re living a Netflix montage of your own life.

And don’t get me wrong, some of it really is that good. Stepping off a plane with nothing but a suitcase and a plan jotted on your phone feels like you’re taking control of your own story. It’s raw, it’s uncertain, and it’s addictive.

You escape the cultural insularity of Australia – where international news comes after a segment about someone’s missing dog in Brighton. You’re no longer the smartest guy in the room. You learn. You unlearn. You get humbled.

But here’s the thing they leave out of all those “find yourself abroad” blogs:

Every new version of you comes at the cost of an older one.

You start to lose the things you didn’t realise you’d miss. The smell of your mum’s cooking. Banter with friends where nothing has to be explained. That rare ease of being understood without trying.

In a new city, you’re interesting for five minutes – after that, you’re just another foreigner trying to figure it out or a zoo animal that people stare at due to the unique physical features that aren’t widespread in their society. And that hits hard when the adrenaline of change wears off.

The Silent Tax of Ambition

When you leave home by choice, not out of crisis or war or desperation, the guilt is subtle. But it is there.

You chose this. You asked for more. So when the isolation creeps in, you don’t feel entitled to complain.

Instead, you scroll through chat groups where everyone back home is getting married, buying homes, doing baby photoshoots. You’re half a world away, working in a different corporate environment, in a new apartment, through another brutal winter.

There’s no welcome mat for you when you land. No built-in support network. You start from zero, multiple times

I got hit with Seasonal Affective Disorder hard. I’m talking pitch-black mornings, overcast afternoons, and a quiet kind of depression that makes you question your whole life plan while walking to the grocery store. I bought a 10,000-lux lamp just to trick my brain into thinking it was daytime. It helped. A bit.

But no gadget replaces the weight of being far from everyone and everything that once made you feel grounded.

So… Was It Worth It?

Yes, it definitely was. That’s not me being stubborn or rationalising my choices, when I look at my friends, and relatives back home and what they have and what they went through as the null hypothesis of having stayed in Melbourne, not a single part of me wants to be them.

Because I didn’t leave just for better job prospects or social media stories, I left to test myself.

And I got exactly what I was looking for: resistance.

I wanted to bleed a little. I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn’t just coasting. I needed to throw myself into unfamiliar places and see if I’d sink or swim.

I learned to be uncomfortable. I learned how to walk into rooms where no one looked like me, and still engage with everyone well. I learned to make friends who didn’t grow up with my language, my food, or my values. I learned how to keep my identity intact without needing to shout it.

I became anti-fragile.

It wasn’t always graceful. I struggled. I questioned myself. But I came out harder, sharper, more self-aware.

And more than anything, I stopped being a product of my environment. I started becoming a product of my decisions.

Final Thoughts: The Trade-Off

Leaving home isn’t brave. It’s not noble. It’s not some movie scene.

It’s a deal.

You trade comfort for chaos. Familiarity for freedom. Laughter for solitude. You miss family events. You become a time-zone ghost. You build bonds that fade. And you live with the ache of not fully belonging anywhere anymore.

But…

You also gain something primal. A deep, unshakeable belief in yourself. A proof of concept that you can handle it – whatever “it” is. And eventually, you stop trying to find where you belong and start carving out a space wherever you go.

You realise the world is bigger than the suburb you grew up in. You realise you can bend without breaking. And most importantly, you realise that sometimes…

being lonely in the crowd is exactly where you need to be.. to finally become who you were meant to be.

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May 02 2025
1 Comment
Classic, Culture, informational, Straight talk

🎓 How AI is Changing Uni Life: The Good, the Bad, and What Now?

Alright, let’s not muck around — artificial intelligence isn’t some far-off, sci-fi concept anymore. It’s already here, stitched into how we study, write, and even communicate. Whether you’ve quietly used ChatGPT to wrap your head around a tricky essay topic or know someone who’s let it do all the heavy lifting (not ideal, mate), AI has well and truly landed at UniMelb.

But what does that actually mean for the students, the tutors, and the whole learning experience? Is AI just a time-saving tool, a recipe for disaster, or the start of something way bigger?

Let’s dive into it: the good, the dodgy, and what might be coming around the corner.

✅ The Good: Your New Digital Study Buddy

Let’s start on a positive note. For heaps of students, AI is like a productivity boost on tap. Tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, Notion AI – they’re the new go-to’s when you’re battling brain fog or trying to power through a busy week.

Stuck on a complex reading? Get a summary in seconds. Need a hand drafting a cover letter or nailing the tone of your writing? Sorted. Want help prepping for a class debate or group project? It can do that too – not bad, hey?

Even some lecturers are jumping on board. A couple of them I’ve heard have mentioned using AI to help plan content or generate practice questions. The thinking is: AI’s not going anywhere, so we might as well learn how to use it properly – instead of pretending it doesn’t exist.

🚫 The Dodgy: When It Crosses the Line

Here’s where it gets a bit murky. There’s a difference between using AI to assist with learning and using it to replace your own thinking. When students start plugging entire assignment briefs into ChatGPT and handing it in without a second glance – that’s where the line gets crossed.

TurnItIn and other platforms now include AI-detection features, but let’s be honest, they’re not flawless. They can flag students who’ve done the right thing, and let others slip through. It’s all a bit of a grey zone, and most unis (including ours) are still figuring it out.

It also raises fair questions: If you use AI to help shape your ideas, do you need to reference it? If your mate uses it for everything and doesn’t get caught, what message does that send? And what if English isn’t your first language – does banning AI hurt more than help?

Ethics, transparency, and a bit of common sense are more important than ever.

🤯 The Weird: Is It Helping Us Think… or Taking Over?

Here’s a spicy one – is AI helping us become sharper thinkers, or just making us lazier?

On one hand, it can take the boring bits off your plate so you can focus on deeper thinking. It’s handy for grammar tweaks, summarising texts, or getting unstuck when you hit a wall. But on the flip side, if you’re using it to write whole essays or do your readings for you… are you really learning anything?

And group assignments? Don’t get me started. I’ve seen teams where one person whacks the whole task into ChatGPT, spits out the results, and calls it “collaboration.” Kinda defeats the point, doesn’t it?

What about standing out? If everyone is now using AI, how do you even stand out and showcase your creativity when we are all using the same, or similar language models to come up with our submissions?

📚 What’s the University industry Doing About It?

To be fair, the university isn’t pretending this isn’t a thing. Faculty heads have started talking seriously about revamping assessments – think more in-person presentations, creative projects, and reflective tasks where AI can’t do the thinking for you.

Some departments, have already hosted panels and workshops on AI literacy -helping students understand how to use these tools ethically and responsibly.

And word on the street is that a formal UniMelb policy around AI use in assessments is on the way. Not a full ban, but more about setting clear expectations and giving students the know-how to navigate this new landscape.

Because, let’s face it – trying to ban AI altogether in 2025 is like trying to ban Google in 2010. It’s just not realistic. People will always find a way around it. So it’s better to regulate it and be clear with the expectations of using it.

🧭 So, Where To From Here?

Chances are, in a few years, using AI will be as normal as referencing or checking your online learning portal. But how we use it now will shape that future.

The most switched-on students I know aren’t just using AI to cut corners – they’re using it to work smarter. Not to avoid thinking, but to enhance it. To save time on admin, polish their work, and invest more energy into real problem-solving.

Because AI isn’t going to replace uni – but it will change it. And the students who know how to adapt will be the ones who come out ahead.

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Apr 03 2025
2 Comments
informational

Should You Go on Exchange? The Pros, the Cons, and the Best Unis for Melbourne Students

So, you’re thinking about going on exchange? Big move. Studying overseas is one of those things that everyone raves about—new cultures, new friends, maybe even a bit of academic growth (but mostly new friends). But is it all sunshine and gelato in Rome, or does it come with a side of “why did I think this was a good idea?” Let’s break it down.

The Pros: Why Exchange is Worth It

  • Your Resume Will Love You – Employers froth over international experience. It shows independence, adaptability, and the ability to survive in a foreign land where everything costs way more than expected. I think this is great if you plan to work outside of Australia too, as it shows some courage and initiative to leave the insular bubble down under.
  • It’s a Free Pass to Travel – Okay, not free, but if you’re already in Europe or North America, weekend trips to Paris or New York suddenly seem much more doable. Compare that to being on a plane for 4 hours and still being in Australia..
  • Expand Your Network – Friends from all over the world are a great asset, It’s nice to meet people who had a different upbringing to what you were exposed to.
  • Personal Growth (The Inevitable Glow-Up) – Living abroad forces you out of your comfort zone, whether it’s navigating public transport in a new language or just figuring out how to cook without your go-to Woolies meal deal.

The Cons: It’s Not Always a Highlight Reel

  • Costs Can Stack Up – Even with scholarships and grants, flights, rent, and the occasional emergency “I can’t eat pasta again” meal add up fast.
  • It Can Delay Graduation – If you don’t plan properly, credit transfers can be a nightmare, and you might find yourself taking extra subjects when you return.
  • Homesickness Is Real – Your mates are out at Turf on a Wednesday, and you’re stuck in a timezone where your 3am thoughts can’t even be shared on the group chat.
  • Admin Overload – Between visas, subject approvals, and figuring out how to say “do you have student discounts?” in another language, the paperwork is no joke.

Best Partner Universities for MelbUni Students

The University of Melbourne has a solid roster of exchange partners, but here are some of the standouts:

  • University of California, Berkeley (US) – If you want that elite, Silicon Valley adjacency.
  • Sciences Po (France) – Perfect for political science, international relations, and croissants.
  • National University of Singapore (Singapore) – A top-tier uni with a city that’s both clean and ridiculously efficient.
  • University of Edinburgh (UK) – Harry Potter vibes, great pubs, and a killer academic reputation.
  • University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) – Bikes, canals, and a student culture that’s vibrant and diverse.

Should You Do It?

If you’ve got the financial backing (or at least a decent savings plan), the ability to adapt to change, and a degree that allows for some flexibility, exchange is 100% worth considering. The experience alone—both personal and professional—is invaluable. But if you’re on a strict academic timeline, tied to Melbourne for commitments, or just not keen on jumping through bureaucratic hoops, it might not be for you. Personally, everyone I know that did exchange looked back at it with great fondness, especially more so when they started the grind of full-time work.

At the end of the day, it’s your call. But if you do go, one piece of advice—start the paperwork yesterday.

Mar 09 2025
1 Comment
informational

Gems on Campus: Best Study Spots at UniMelb

Finding the perfect study spot can make all the difference when it comes to productivity and focus. At the University of Melbourne, there’s no shortage of classic go-to libraries and bustling student lounges, but the campus also hides a treasure trove of secret nooks and scenic corners that deserve some love. Whether you’re a crammer by night or a daylight studier, we’ve rounded up the best hidden gems to smash out those assignments or simply romanticise your study sesh.

1. Baillieu Library Basement

🧠 Vibes: Cosy, old-school academia

Everyone knows Baillieu is the OG library of UniMelb – but the real MVP is the basement. Tucked away below the main floors, this underrated haven is where serious study energy thrives. Think vintage wooden desks, dim lighting, and the gentle hum of concentration. Bonus points if you snag a seat in one of the windowless study nooks – perfect for going full hermit mode.

📍 Pro Tip: BYO snacks and keep a sneaky stash of chocolate bars to fuel your marathon sessions.

2. South Lawn

🌿 Vibes: Nature therapy meets study grind

When Melbourne turns on that rare sunny charm, South Lawn is the ultimate outdoor study spot. Picture yourself sprawled under a shady tree, laptop out, the smell of freshly cut grass wafting through the air. It’s practically an Instagram flat-lay waiting to happen. Just don’t fall into the trap of napping under the sun – we’ve all been there.

📸 Pro Tip: Head there in the morning for peak serenity before the lunchtime picnickers roll in.

3. Old Quad

🏛️ Vibes: Harry Potter meets Melbourne chic

If you’re the kind of person who thrives in aesthetic environments, the Old Quad courtyard will have you romanticising your degree in no time. With its sandstone archways, trickling fountains, and the occasional distant church bell ringing – it’s giving European summer, but make it Melbourne.

🍵 Pro Tip: Grab a coffee from Standing Room before you settle in.

4. Law Library

⚖️ Vibes: Silent, serious, studious

Non-law students, listen up – this is your invitation to infiltrate the hallowed halls of the Melbourne Law School. The Law Library is criminally underrated by the wider student population. With endless rows of books, individual study carrels, and near-religious silence, it’s the perfect spot to grind out those word counts.

🚨 Pro Tip: Pretend you’re working on a groundbreaking legal case even if you’re just doing first-year psych notes.

5. Eastern Resource Centre (ERC)

📚 Vibes: Retro futurism meets low-key productivity

The ERC is that weird, brutalist building everyone forgets about – which is exactly why it’s one of the quietest study spots on campus. The top floors have some of the best natural light on campus, and the desks by the windows offer a solid view of the city skyline. It’s a little bit vintage, a little bit dystopian, and weirdly charming.

🎧 Pro Tip: Plug into a lo-fi beats playlist and channel your inner cyberpunk academic.

6. Arts West Building

🎨 Vibes: Modern, light-filled, Instagrammable

Arts West is what happens when a Pinterest board meets campus architecture. With floor-to-ceiling windows, study pods, and scattered cushions, this is the spot if you’re after a little natural light therapy while you study. Plus, the building’s design basically screams “I’m an intellectual but also aesthetically aware.”

📍 Pro Tip: Head to the upper floors for the best quiet nooks.

7. Giblin Eunson Library

💸 Vibes: Corporate chic meets productivity temple

Located in the Faculty of Business and Economics, the Giblin Eunson Library feels like the kind of place where finance bros and future CEOs get stuff done. But don’t be intimidated – this library has some of the comfiest study booths on campus, plus plenty of power points for those long-haul sessions.

☕ Pro Tip: Treat yourself to a coffee from Seven Seeds nearby as your pre-study ritual.

8. The Spot

🏙️ Vibes: Corporate minimalist with a side of caffeine

The Spot isn’t just for commerce kids – it’s for anyone who wants a chic, modern study space with strong coffee game. There are quiet study rooms, plenty of seating, and a café downstairs to keep the caffeine flowing. If you’re a fan of clean lines and industrial aesthetics, this one’s for you.

📍 Pro Tip: The rooftop terrace is one of the best-kept secrets on campus.

9. Graduate House

🎓 Vibes: Mature, peaceful, low-key exclusive

If you’re a postgrad or know someone who can sneak you in, Graduate House is like UniMelb’s members-only club for studious types. With plush armchairs, hushed vibes, and free tea and coffee, it’s the kind of place where you half expect to bump into a professor writing their magnum opus.

🍷 Pro Tip: They do wine nights on Thursdays if you need a little post-study debrief.

10. Union House

🍔 Vibes: Nostalgic, communal, slightly chaotic

Union House is chaotic good energy at its finest. While everyone else is fighting for a seat at Castro’s Kiosk, head upstairs to the quieter lounge areas. There’s something weirdly comforting about the old couches and mismatched tables – like a relic of student life that refuses to die.

🍕 Pro Tip: Power through your readings, then reward yourself with a cheeky kebab from Zambrero downstairs.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re after serious silence or scenic vibes, UniMelb’s hidden gems offer something for every type of studious soul. Next time you’re on campus, ditch the crowded libraries and explore these underrated spots – your WAM (and Instagram feed) will thank you.

Happy studying! 📚✨

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