When I came to Australia for my studies, I was really excited but also a little apprehensive about whether I would be able to fit in here. I chose to live here at Tommy because I saw that it looked the newest out of all the colleges.

After one and a half years here, I now realise that the exterior of the College was impressive, but not the major takeaway from St Thomas More College. The people and their energy makes Tommy More what it is. Everywhere you go in college, you are greeted with a smile and a “How’s it going?”

As an international student, it isn’t easy to find a place that makes you feel at home. Tommy More has given me more than that. I have found friends from all over the world that I will keep for life and learned so much from those around me.

Sean Soh
Singapore
Bachelor of Arts (Communications and Media Studies, and Marketing), The University of Western Australia

As a new kid on the block, Tommy gave me a group of people who were always around me and who I knew would look out for me.

I think if you put individuals in a shared living space, you develop a sense of intimacy that you wouldn’t be able to replicate on the outside.

As a fairly active person, something that I find particularly helpful is that people are always up to play pick-up basketball. It’s also really helpful that getting a meal is also a great way to take a break from studying and just engage with people in the wider community.

Anurudh Rangajaran
Chennai, India
Masters of Asian Studies, University of Western Australia

When I think about decisions that I have made in my entire life, choosing to live at St Thomas More College goes down as one of the best decisions I could have ever made.

I remember sitting alone in the dining hall, intimidated by the lack of familiar surroundings and being in a new and foreign place. But that uneasy feeling was soon dispelled when my fellow collegians came up and initiated a conversation with me. It has been amazing ever since. Living on your own can seem daunting but being surrounded by so many magnificent humans makes the experience so much better. You feel a sense of belonging and that is priceless.

My biggest fear about coming to study in Australia was that I would miss my family but Tommy and the people who live here acts as a kind of surrogate family and provide you with the help and support that you need to ensure that you get the best out of your academic and life experience at university.

You also have the opportunity to meet so many new people outside of your classes and lectures which is pretty cool too. College life encourages you to be more outgoing and engage in a lot of social, cultural and sport-related events which encourages you to live a more rounded and enriching life

The highlight of living at Tommy for me so far was when I was voted Mr Congeniality at the annual Tommy Ball this year. I felt so loved and grateful, the entire experience was so brilliant.

And who could forget this final perk. The fact that you are so close to UWA means you can sneak in those 10 extra minutes of sleep every morning. Any university student will tell you the importance of those precious few minutes in bed!

Salim Arsiwala
Mumbai, India and Cardiff, United Kingdom
Masters of Biotechnology: Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Western Australia