Making headlines – La Trobe international alumni success in Australia
Tito Ambyo finished his Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology) at La Trobe University in 2006 and is now working in a highly sought after position in Australia – a journalist for ABC Radio. Originally from Indonesia, he came to Australia and quickly fell in love with Melbourne.
Tito learned a lot about facing unfamiliar challenges when he first arrived in Melbourne. Without the support of friends and family, and in unfamiliar surroundings, he was forced to overcome challenges and grow as a person.
‘I learned about the feeling of being exposed and overwhelmed as much as feeling lonely and hidden. I felt the difficulties of trying to be understood in a language you are not in complete control with, as well as having to ask questions about the beliefs and things I took for granted. As a journalist and writer, it was a sobering experience. These experiences, I think, gave me a bit of a window to some of the things that I have to write about as a journalist in Australia,’ says Tito.
When asked what experience he found the most outstanding in Australia, Tito mentioned white water kayaking – or something close to it!
‘White water kayaking was a lot of fun. But forget outstanding; I was barely standing on a surfboard before my pathetic swimming skills were tested again. But that was a lot of fun as well. And watching cricket at the MCG for the first time. I am probably a member of a small group of Indonesians who is a cricket tragic (is anyone else out there?).’
When talking about his time at La Trobe University, the relationships built between lecturer and student stands out as a great memory.
‘Many of the lecturers were very friendly. I always regard some of my lecturers at La Trobe very warmly. I hope this ability to build connections by lecturers and students have not and will not change at La Trobe; I think it’s important for students to be able to build a type of academic camaraderie with their lecturers.’
Tito has worked in three different countries, including in leadership positions, and he believes the critical thinking skills he learned at university are some of the most important attributes you can bring to a job.
‘The ability to read, observe, listen and critically process new information and to then make decisions is something that is universally useful for most careers.’
‘I wouldn’t be doing what I do right now without my qualification. For me, a qualification was much more than just a piece of paper.
‘With the recent changes in the region and the Asian Century, with my qualification and experience, I feel as ready as I can be to take on any future challenges in any part of the world.
‘Well, most challenges in most parts of the world. I don’t think I can handle extreme kite-flying in Pakistan or working as one of those clowns in American rodeos,’ says Tito.
