I studied at Southern Cross Education Institute - Higher Education (SCEI-HE) for nine months, juggling work, studies, classes, assignments, and shifts. It was a demanding time, but also an eye-opening one.
The Challenge of Juggling Study and Work
Each day brought its own pressures, and balancing everything meant making sacrifices. Sleep became a luxury, weekends were for catching up on readings or doing shifts, and personal time was almost non-existent.
There were six sections with around 40 students in each class, and with two intakes a year, that meant close to 500 students coming through. Most were international students, mainly from India, some from Nepal, and others from nearby countries. Everyone came from different backgrounds – accounting, marketing, social sciences, IT, even culinary arts – but the common goal was permanent residency. For many, this course was a stepping stone, but not necessarily something they were invested in. A lot of students showed up only for attendance, then left. Others stayed but were glued to their phones or laptops. Few engaged with the lecturers. It was disheartening to see so little interest in the actual learning.
In contrast, I felt a strong responsibility to take it seriously. I knew that every hour in the classroom, every assignment, and every conversation with a lecturer mattered. I wasn't just doing it for a piece of paper. I was doing it to build a future in a field I cared about.
The Hurdles of English Requirements and Skills Assessment
The IELTS requirement for skills assessment to be an Early Childhood Teacher made it harder. Unless your onshore studies added up to four years, you had to meet the English score of 7-8-8-7. Those who’d completed their Bachelors here were in the clear, but most of us from overseas with Masters degrees had to go through IELTS again. It was another hurdle by the skills assessment governing body, the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
Many students around me were frustrated. They had already studied in English-speaking environments, written countless essays, and passed their units, yet that wasn’t enough. The pressure to meet the specific band scores in each component of the test felt unfair at times. It was financially and mentally draining to prepare and re-sit the exam if needed.
This part of the process really tested my resolve. Each day, I was torn – should I just give up, take it easy, or push through and do the hard yards? I chose the third option. I reminded myself that even though the system had its barriers, I had come this far and I couldn’t let temporary roadblocks stop me from reaching my goal.
A Turning Point Through Placement and Flexibility
A month into the program, my Professional Teaching Practice (a 30-day unpaid placement) began. I emailed a childcare center next to the aged care home where I worked and asked if I could complete my placement there. A week later, another branch of the same company offered me a casual position. When they realized I was on placement, they let me continue at that center and paid me. That was a lucky break I didn’t expect.
This moment was a turning point. It changed my mindset. I wasn’t just doing a placement to tick a box. I was now in a workplace, learning hands-on, building connections, and being paid. It made the long days worth it. I started seeing how theory and practice came together, and how much there was to learn in a real classroom setting.
I had classes twice a week, worked or did placement three days a week, and picked up a weekend gig. Every day was full. During the second term, I emailed the Academic Director of my Institute, requesting to attend classes online, explaining that I didn’t need attendance for visa purposes. After a few back-and-forth with the academic team, they agreed. It was a big win. I could now focus on full-time work and manage my studies from home in the evenings. Not many others in my cohort had this option, and I was very aware of how fortunate I was.
This flexibility gave me space to breathe. It showed me that sometimes, asking for what you need can change everything.
Reflection, Graduation, and What Comes Next
I completed my second semester with my 30-days placement counting as part of my paid employment. Things worked out better than I expected. I graduated with more than just a certificate. I had real work experience, stronger communication skills, and confidence in my ability to adapt and persist.
Looking back, it wasn’t just the course that taught me something. It was the hustle, the decisions, the patience. Being surrounded by people who didn’t really care about the learning reminded me why I had to stay focused. The placement turning into paid work showed me that opportunity often comes quietly. And pushing through despite the pressure gave me the confidence to know I can handle more than I think. It wasn’t easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
Then came the last step. Graduation and applying for a Permanent Residency. Was I ready? Did I have all my documents? Did I have enough Points? The path ahead was still uncertain, but I now had the experience and belief to keep going. Every part of the journey had led me here, and I was ready to take the next step.
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| Graduation pic with Sonams and Memey Thonkey |
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