Why leaving Ho Chi Minh City for Ballarat was the best decision I made
When Minh Anh first told family and friends she was moving from Ho Chi Minh City to Ballarat, they were surprised.
She'd already experienced life in two major international cities. After growing up in Vietnam, she'd spent three years studying in Toronto, Canada. Surely the next step would be Melbourne, Sydney or another bustling global city.
Instead, she chose regional Victoria.
For Minh Anh, it wasn't a compromise. It was exactly what she was looking for.
She wasn't searching for bigger shopping centres or busier streets. She wanted somewhere she could slow down, feel part of a community and become the kind of teacher she'd always hoped to be.
Today, she's studying the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) at Federation University Australia, and looking back, she says choosing regional Australia was one of the best decisions she's ever made.
Looking for more than a university
Choosing where to study overseas wasn't something Minh Anh rushed.
She spent months comparing universities, researching courses and imagining what everyday life might look like in each location. While course quality was important, she knew the university experience extended well beyond the classroom.
"I prioritised social connections," she said.
"I wanted small classes where I could interact with my professors as well as my peers."
Moving overseas alone meant she would be building a new life. She wanted to know that if she had questions, needed advice or simply felt overwhelmed, there would be people to help.
"I wanted a university that had an international support team to help us navigate things as we adapt."
Those priorities kept leading her back to Federation University.
The smaller classes, personalised learning and dedicated support for international students offered something she felt would be difficult to find at a larger university.
More importantly, it felt like somewhere she could belong.
Discovering a different side of Australia
People often picture Australia's biggest cities when they imagine studying overseas.
Minh Anh pictured something else.
Growing up in Ho Chi Minh City meant she was surrounded by constant movement. Toronto offered a similar fast pace.
By the time she was considering Australia, she realised she didn't want another busy city.
"I don't like the crowds," she said.
Ballarat offered exactly that.
Instead of spending hours navigating busy streets, she found herself walking through the peaceful bushland surrounding Federation University's Mt Helen Campus. The quieter environment gave her space to focus on university, spend time outdoors and adjust to life in a new country without feeling overwhelmed.
"You get to spend more time listening to yourself," she said.
"And that's been really good for me."
For Minh Anh, choosing regional Australia wasn't about missing out.
It was about creating the kind of university experience she knew would help her succeed.
Turning theory into confidence
Before arriving at Federation University, Minh Anh had never worked in early childhood education.
That could have been intimidating, but she quickly discovered the course was designed to build confidence step by step.
"So far, I think it's worth the investment because it has a strong foundation for my course," she said.
"The lectures and the way the course is structured helped me understand the importance of teachers and how we should interact with students to help shape their future."
That learning became real during her first professional placement in an Australian early learning centre.
For the first time, she wasn't simply learning about early childhood education. She was experiencing it.
Working alongside educators, observing how they supported children's learning and interacting with young students helped connect everything she'd been learning in class with the realities of the profession.
It also gave her confidence that she'd chosen the right career.
"Getting real work experience is my top priority," she said.
"I want to prepare myself so I can become a highly competent teacher and help shape the future of young children."
Rather than waiting until the end of her degree to discover what the profession was really like, Minh Anh is already developing practical skills that will prepare her for the classroom after graduation.
Small classes that make a big difference
One of the biggest surprises after arriving at Federation University wasn't the campus.
It was the classroom.
Instead of sitting anonymously in a lecture theatre with hundreds of other students, Minh Anh found herself in a placement supervision class with just eight students.
"It matched my expectations perfectly," she said.
"It isn't like a big lecture where there are thousands of students. There are only eight of us, so we can actually discuss the course and communicate with each other."
Those conversations have become one of the most valuable parts of her learning.
Students share placement experiences, ask questions, learn from one another and receive personalised feedback from their lecturers.
"It feels like a professional team instead of a classroom."
For Minh Anh, that collaborative environment has helped her grow in ways that extend beyond academic results. She's become more confident contributing to discussions, reflecting on her experiences and developing the skills she'll need as a future educator.
Finding a home away from home
University life isn't only measured by lectures, assignments and placements.
It's also shaped by the moments in between.
Living on campus has made settling into Australia much easier than Minh Anh expected.
Knowing support is close by gives her peace of mind, but it's the friendships she's built that have made the biggest difference.
Those simple routines have transformed Ballarat from somewhere she studies into somewhere she enjoys living.
For many international students, moving overseas can feel overwhelming at first.
For Minh Anh, having people to share meals, conversations and weekend plans with has helped create a sense of belonging that she hadn't expected to find so quickly.
Looking back, she's grateful she chose the quieter path.
It gave her the chance to focus on becoming the teacher she wants to be while building a life that feels balanced, connected and rewarding.
Choosing the experience that was right for her
Minh Anh knows many international students automatically look towards Australia's largest cities.
She understands why.
But her experience has shown that the best university isn't always the busiest one.
Sometimes it's the place where lecturers know your name.
Where your classmates become friends.
Where practical placements help you discover the career you're working towards.
And where there's enough space to slow down, reflect and grow.
For Minh Anh, Ballarat wasn't simply where she came to study.
It became the place where she found the confidence to build her future.
Thinking about studying in regional Australia?
If you're looking for a university where you can build meaningful connections, gain practical experience from the beginning of your degree and enjoy a supportive community, Federation University could be the right fit.
Explore the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) and discover how studying in regional Victoria can help you develop the confidence, knowledge and real-world experience to become an inspiring early childhood teacher.
Learn more about the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) at Federation University.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regional Australia offers many international students a different kind of university experience. Smaller cities often provide a more relaxed lifestyle, lower living costs, less time commuting and a greater sense of community. For Minh Anh, choosing Ballarat meant she could focus on her studies, build genuine friendships and enjoy being surrounded by nature while still having easy access to Melbourne when she wanted to explore the city.
Minh Anh was looking for more than a degree. She wanted a university where she could build relationships with lecturers, learn in smaller classes and access support while adjusting to life in Australia. Federation University stood out because it combined personalised learning with dedicated international student support and practical teaching experience from early in the course.
The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) includes professional placements in Australian early childhood education settings. These placements allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom, observe experienced educators and develop the practical skills needed for a career in early childhood education. For Minh Anh, completing placement during her first semester reinforced that she had chosen the right profession.
Many Federation University classes are designed to encourage discussion and collaboration rather than anonymous learning in large lecture theatres. Minh Anh's placement supervision class included just eight students, giving everyone the opportunity to contribute, ask questions and receive personalised feedback from their lecturer. This collaborative approach helped her feel more confident and connected throughout her studies.
Federation University offers a range of services to help international students settle into life in Australia. Support includes orientation programs, academic skills assistance, wellbeing services, careers advice and dedicated international student advisers who can help with questions throughout your studies. Knowing this support was available gave Minh Anh confidence that she would have people to turn to while adapting to a new country.
Ballarat combines the convenience of a modern regional city with a relaxed pace of life. Students have access to shopping centres, cafés, restaurants, sporting facilities, healthcare, public transport and cultural attractions, while enjoying more affordable living and easier access to nature than many larger cities. For Minh Anh, the quieter environment helped her find balance while studying overseas.
Living on campus can make the transition to university life much easier, particularly for students moving overseas. Accommodation places students close to classes, support services and campus facilities while creating opportunities to meet other students through everyday life. Minh Anh says sharing movie nights, walks and weekends with friends helped Ballarat quickly feel like home.
The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) combines academic learning with professional placements, helping students develop both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to become confident educators. Small class sizes, personalised support and early placement opportunities allow students to build their skills progressively while preparing for a rewarding career working with young children.
Ballarat offers many of the amenities students expect from a city while providing a quieter and more affordable lifestyle than Australia's largest metropolitan centres. As Victoria's third largest city, it has shopping, entertainment, healthcare, public transport and a vibrant community, while remaining close to nature and just over an hour from Melbourne. For students like Minh Anh, it offers the best of both worlds: the services they need and the space to focus on their studies.
Completing an Australian teaching qualification can prepare graduates for careers in early childhood education in Australia and internationally, depending on local registration and employment requirements. Through professional placements and practical learning, students graduate with valuable classroom experience alongside their academic qualifications. Minh Anh hopes the skills she's developing at Federation University will allow her to make a lasting difference in the lives of young children wherever her career takes her.