Lucy (Tran Ha) commenced UTS Foundation Studies knowing exactly where she was headed, thanks to a UTS summer program. “It was around two years ago. Students from Vietnam had an opportunity to visit Australia and learn about the different faculties at UTS. My dad signed me up, so I was here for a few weeks before I started Foundation. At the time, I wasn’t sure what to do for my degree,” she says.
Then she saw the Hive Superlab on the UTS campus. Right away, she fixed her sights on science. She says, “Back in my high school in Vietnam, we didn’t have anything like that. Most of our science stuff was theory based. Sometimes we got to do a dissection, but that was basically it.”
When she found out there was a Forensic Science option, Lucy was hooked. “I didn’t know that was a major you could do. It was like a star grew in my eyes! I love lab work and chemistry is one of my passion subjects,” she says.
A solid foundation
Now well into second year of Bachelor of Forensic Science at UTS, Lucy says Foundation Studies really helped her transition into university in Australia. “It was my first time being so far away from home,” she says. “I’d been in the same high school for six years, so I knew everyone there. And now I didn’t know anyone. But my best memory from UTS College is meeting so many cool, long-term friends. Even though we’re in different courses now, we’re still in touch. There were really good teachers too, and I still see them sometimes. I love having a chat with them.”
One of Lucy's favourite memories or UTS College is the many friendships that began there.
While she was making friends at the College, Lucy also excelled academically. She won a Dean’s Merit award in her first semester. But the big surprise came at the end of the course, when she received the coveted Outstanding Graduate prize. “I was really shocked when I saw the email from the school. I was so happy and my family was delighted. They don’t put any expectations or pressure on me, but they love to see me doing well in this new environment. I know they worry for their girl,” she says.
Studying abroad is an enriching, life-changing experience, but it’s not without challenges. Lucy says, “When I arrived here, I knew nothing. Nothing about the buses or doing paperwork or anything like that. In Vietnam my parents took care of all those things. So I was forced to become independent and sometimes it was a bit overwhelming.”
Staying connected
Although it didn’t take long to find her group of College friends, Lucy’s friends and family back home were always there for her. “During that early time, I would call my parents, or text my old school friends,” she says. “I wouldn’t always talk about my problems. Just having a small conversation would help me connect with the world I knew. And connecting with my past helped me to move forward. I learnt to just take a step back and relax. I would listen to music, call my friends, text them, or send some TikToks, just like in the old days. That helped me keep moving to where I am now.”
Family is Lucy’s bedrock, and she says her dad has always inspired her. “We have a really close bond,” she says. “At home, he always takes me out on the weekend. We go around the city on his motorbike and have breakfast or coffee. I think I pick up a lot of traits from him. He doesn’t always express his feelings, but I see from his actions how important it is to him create a secure future for my brother and me.”
Following in her footsteps, Lucy’s brother is now doing UTS Foundation Studies. She says, “Dad is a UTS alum, and it was his idea for us both to go to the College after Year 11 at home. At first, I resented that. I wanted to do Year 12 with my friends. But I appreciate it now, because without Foundation, I don’t think I’d be as confident or comfortable as I am now at uni.”
The joy of the struggle
It may seem contradictory, but Lucy says the best thing about moving on to UTS is ‘getting to struggle again.’ “Really, it’s the best thing,” she laughs. “I like to be challenged. That’s what I’m here for. It might be frustrating initially, but it’s exciting to learn new stuff. Especially in chemistry. I’m learning about new chemicals, new compounds, new reactions. And how to operate with new equipment.
Looking at the future, Lucy’s dream is to become a toxicologist. “I see myself in a lab,” she says. “not necessarily in the police field. Just as long as I’m doing chemistry, I’ll be fine with it. Chemistry is my passion.”
Lucy has two pieces of advice for new students. “First of all, take it easy. Don’t beat yourself up if you fail something or get a lower grade than you wanted. It’s part of the journey. The important thing is to learn how to pick yourself up and continue. Just try to improve yourself so you can do better next time.”
Second, learn to speak up. “So many international students don’t want to put their hand up in class because they’re shy, or they’re afraid of being judged. But it doesn’t matter if your English isn’t perfect. What matters is to put in the effort, because how can you ever improve if you don’t try? That’s the beauty of Foundation Studies, because everyone is learning together. We all understand the struggle so it’s the perfect time to be more courageous and try new things.”
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