This blog is written by our intern Monty (Mustansir).
When I moved from Mumbai to Melbourne for my master’s at La Trobe, I chose to live on campus out of pure convenience. No lofty expectations. No “life-changing” intentions. Just… logistics. I didn’t even think about age. Why would I? I was here to study, not join a high school reunion.
My first impression? Everyone already had their friend groups, the energy was loud and my room felt like someone had shrunk my apartment in Photoshop. Also, where was I going to fit my 84 bags of masalas?
Thankfully, La Trobe’s residential setup had a solution for us “fossils” – a special floor called Level 6, aka the NASA Level for mature students aged 24 and above. Quiet, clean and occasionally referred to by younger residents as “dead vibes.” But honestly? That floor is my peace palace.
I didn’t have 18-year-old flat mates but I did meet plenty of people at ResLife events. At our first outing to the Melbourne Aquarium, a bright-eyed fresher asked how old I was. I told him. He blinked. “Damn,” he said. “Why are you still studying?” I laughed so hard I nearly fell into the penguin enclosure.
Being surrounded by younger students has been a wild ride. The lingo alone? A cultural immersion. Sometimes I’d just stare blankly, nodding like I understood while internally buffering (‘Cap’? ‘Cook’? I was lost). Eventually, I started asking what things meant and every time, someone patiently explained. It was wholesome. And a little hilarious.
Sure, I don’t love the party music all the time. And yes, I might yawn at a joke that gets 43 LOLs. But in the middle of the memes, the chaos and the dorm-wide gossip about who’s dating who from Level 2, I found something I didn’t expect: joy. Pure, silly, unfiltered joy.
Living here has given me permission to let go a little. Laugh louder. Dance badly.
Be the mentor, the brother, the awkward uncle who struggles with Zoom backgrounds but will hype you up like your biggest fan. I’ve learned to judge less, listen more and connect deeply – not because we’re the same age but because we share the same space.
And that’s the thing no one tells you: age fades fast when you live with heart. I’ve had 3 am chats with 19-year-olds that blew my mind. I’ve made best friends with people a decade younger. I’ve been humbled, uplifted and completely re-energised by this unexpected community.
So, to any other mature-age students out there wondering if living on campus is worth it: it is. It’s weird, uncomfortable, hilarious and exactly what you need. You’ll fumble through it. You’ll find your people and you’ll walk away not just with a degree but a thousand stories you’ll never forget.
I came here to study, but I stayed for the unexpected magic of community. No cap.
Monty
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