My First Day in Melbourne

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia

My first 24 hours in Melbourne were a blur, consumed by jet lag but fuelled by excitement and adrenaline. When I reached my accommodation for the term, UniLodge, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist who took me to my room. I spent the next few hours setting up my home for the next few months, which definitely helped to ground me after such a long journey- it felt like an immediate relief to have a space I can call my own in such an alien city.

I woke up early the next morning, still adjusting to the time difference, and decided to head up to the rooftop. The city was just beginning to come alive, and as I watched the sunrise spill over the skyline I felt so grateful that I was finally here after months of anticipation. The reality of where I was finally began to sink in, and I was ready to explore my new home.

Afterwards, I wandered towards the Queen Victoria Market for some breakfast. Sitting outside the Queen Vic café with a full English breakfast, I watched as the city sprang into action. Rush hour was in full force, with trams rattling carrying such a diversity of workers into the CBD. Stallholders were setting up all around me, rolling up awnings and arranging colourful displays, whilst the smell of the famous Melbourne coffee filled the air.

Later that morning, I attended the first talk for international students at the university. I didn’t know what to expect and was definitely nervous, but within minutes I’d met a lovely group of fellow Brits- and to my relief, most of them were also living in UniLodge. The talk itself was really helpful- the staff gave practical advice on navigating the Parkville campus and using the different student portals. The day continued with the fresher’s fair, where I signed up for a few societies and explored the campus before heading out with my new friends in the evening.

We met up near the Melbourne laneways, an area defined by its narrow streets and its walls covered in vibrant street art. The hidden dive-bars and sound of live music gave us a real sense of the city’s character, and it was fantastic to explore such an exciting place with such good company. By the time we began to head back to UniLodge, the city had quietened down and my jet leg had finally caught up with me. But after such a brilliant first day in my new home city, I felt ready to embrace everything Melbourne had to offer.