There are over 100 Filipino students at the University of Melbourne.

Get to know some of them.

Maegan Whalley, 19

Course: Bachelor of Commerce, majors in Marketing and Management

Extracurricular activities: Students’ Association of Management and Marketing; Melbourne University Filipino Students Association

Favorite things to do in Melbourne: Exploring new places and having brunch with friends; picnics by the beach; drinking great-tasting coffee and other hot drinks; watching various musical productions; buying food at the Wednesday Market at university

What I like about the university: Learning subjects I’m interested in from professors who are enjoyable to listen to, with people from different backgrounds. Studying in a beautiful campus in the city with a limitless amount of things to do and explore. The ability to take other subjects, which helps expand my skills and interests.

Juan Carlo Ala, 20

Course: Bachelor of Science

Extracurricular activities: Melbourne University Taekwondo Club athlete and committee member; represented the university in the 2019 University Games

Favorite things to do in Melbourne: Hang out with friends at study spaces; taekwondo training; attending and organizing club events

What I like about the university: So much to do and a diverse range of people to befriend

Ian Coyukiat, 19

Course: Bachelor of Music

Extracurricular activities: University productions and musicals; Trinity College Choir singer; Junior Organ scholar; Music Students Society; Musical Theatre Society; Film Society; Tabletop Gaming Society; Cooking Dining Coffee Society

Favorite things to do in Melbourne: Getting coffee on the way to uni and visiting the National Gallery that’s conveniently beside the campus. I also get to perform many times in many different places—Melbourne is the cultural center of Australia!

What I like about the university: The atmosphere and the friendliness of the people—it’s a perfect balance between relaxed city and bustling metropolis.

Angela Nicole E. Mooney, 21

Course: Bachelor of Arts, majors in Politics and International Relations, and Ancient World Studies

Extracurricular activities: Melbourne Arts Student Society

Favorite things to do in Melbourne: Going to different school events like barbecue on the school lawn, visiting the museums

What I like about the University of Melbourne: I’ve been enjoying its flexible course structure. I’ve been able to choose subjects that I really want, rather than have a large percentage of my coursework with compulsory classes that I may not be interested in.

Lauren Dominique Katigbak Golangco, 21

Course: Bachelor of Arts, majors in Sociology and Media and Communications, plus a Concurrent Diploma in Computing

Extracurricular activities: I live in Ormond College, where my activities include head of Orientation Week 2019, head of International Students’ Club 2018, and Ormond representative for the Intercollegiate Activities Committee.

Favorite things to do in Melbourne: Visit the weekly Farmer’s Market at the university to graze on delicious baos, sip on spicy chai and bask in the sunshine when the weather is fine. Study at the new Western Edge Biosciences Building overlooking the university gardens while fueling myself with top-notch coffee from the local café. Tick off all the snazzy brunch hotspots that highlight Melbourne’s café culture. The coffee is excellent and the food is never boring, reflecting the melting pot that makes Melbourne unique. Attend the yearly Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) in the fall and Melbourne Fashion Week (MFW) in the spring. Both VAMFF and MFW are true celebrations of local creativity that inspire me to strive for uniqueness, and volunteering for MFW this year allowed me to witness and contribute to the magic behind these events.

What I like about the University of Melbourne: Immersing myself in a foreign culture has exponentially broadened my world view. The diversity of the city is unparalleled, and there is an incredible array of food, music and cultural celebrations. Being confronted with perspectives that challenge my own pushes me to reaffirm my values. Melbourne has granted me the opportunity to make connections with people from different backgrounds, and I’ve grown so much from it.—Pam Pastor