A hilarious but heartwarming peek into the lives of an international and domestic student at La Trobe University. Produced by Semester 2 intern, Monty.
At first glance, Bunga and Abigail couldn’t be more different but that’s the magic of La Trobe. This campus has a way of throwing people together in the most unexpected ways: group projects, Clubhouse chats, last-minute events or shared snacks in the Library.
Through laughter, memes, shared deadlines and a whole lot of rice (and Shapes), they found friendship in contrast. Whether you’re 5 minutes from campus or 5,000 km away, the people you meet here might just change your life. Talk to someone new. Be someone’s Bunga. Or someone’s Abigail.
What was your first reaction stepping onto campus?
Bunga (International): “I got lost trying to find the library and ended up in the Sports Centre. Honestly thought the gym was the library because it had so many people.”
Abigail (Domestic): “Thought La Trobe winters would be chill. Turns out, 12 degrees is a near-death experience for a Darwin girl and also, why is the coffee so expensive here?”
Go-to comfort food during exams?
Bunga: “Instant noodles + chilli oil = serotonin.”
Abigail: “Shapes and 3 iced lattes. Bonus if I don’t spill one in the library.”
What’s your hidden uni talent?
Bunga: “Finding free food. I have a sixth sense for it now. If there’s pizza within 500 metres, I’ll find it.”
Abigail: “Giving group assignment pep talks while doing zero work until the last 48 hours. It’s a skill.”
What’s one thing uni taught you beyond academics?
Bunga: “How to open up to strangers – I came alone, and now I have a second family here.”
Abigail: “How to look beyond the people I knew in high school. Some of my closest mates now were strangers on Day 1.”