Meet Billy

• Country
  Kenya
• Educational institution
  Charles Darwin University (CDU)
• Studying
  Master of Social Work
• Student status
  Ambassador

I came to Australia in March 2022 to study Master of Information Technology (IT) in Sydney.  Two months later, I lost my grandmother whom I lived with most of my life. It was devastating for me and my studies were substantially affected. I withdrew from my IT course and resolved to study a course in social work, among other reasons, to honour my late grandmother and give back to the community by contributing, even in a small way, to policies that can improve the quality of life of deserving yet vulnerable people in our society.

I could not find any provider who met what I was looking for in Sydney. An agent later introduced me to Charles Darwin University, but he was worried if I would be willing to relocate to a far place, and was not sure if there were opportunities for me as well.

I knew down in my heart, this was the place for me. I took a leap of faith, off the beaten track, alone into the outback, meeting thrilling souls that made my journey worthwhile.

I arrived in Darwin in February 2023 and I immediately fell in love with the city, the lovely unique culture, with many different cultures represented including Indigenous Australian, south Asians, Africans, and Europeans, which is reflected in the city’s food, festivals, and art scene. The beautiful natural landscape, with lots of outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, camping, and swimming, walking to the beach every evening for a glimpse of the sunset mixed with vibrant city life, and the numerous student job opportunities, I was spoilt for choice.