Where are you from? What are you currently studying, and at which institution?
I'm from Indonesia and came to Adelaide to pursue my education and build new experiences with my family.
I'm currently studying the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE SA, where I am developing practical knowledge and experience in supporting young children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
What has your timeline in Adelaide looked like?
Our family’s connection with Adelaide actually began in 2017, when my husband came to Adelaide to pursue his Master’s degree. After completing his studies, he returned to Indonesia, but Adelaide later became part of our journey again.
In 2023, we moved to Adelaide as a family when my husband returned to study for his PhD, which focused on polymer chemistry at Flinders University.
At the time, my main reason for coming to Adelaide was to accompany and support him during his studies, while also experiencing life in Australia together with our son.
Our study journeys are in very different fields, but Adelaide has given both of us the opportunity to grow academically and professionally while building our life here together as a family.
Over time, Adelaide became more than just the place where my husband studied. After he completed his PhD, I decided to begin a new chapter of my own at TAFE SA.
Meanwhile, our son has been growing up and attending a local public school in South Australia.
Seeing each member of our family learn and grow in different ways has made our journey in Adelaide especially meaningful.
What started as my husband’s academic journey has gradually become a shared family journey of education, growth and new opportunities.
What motivated you to choose Adelaide over other Australian cities for your studies?
My husband's experience in Adelaide was very positive, both academically and personally, so when he had the opportunity to return to Australia for his PhD, Adelaide was a natural choice for us.
Beyond university, we were also attracted to Adelaide’s lifestyle. Compared with larger Australian cities, Adelaide feels more relaxed and manageable, while still offering everything we need as a family. We enjoy the balance between city life, nature and community, and we have found the people here welcoming and helpful.
For us, Adelaide offered more than just a place to study. It gave us an environment where we could pursue our academic goals while also building a comfortable and meaningful life together as a family.
How did you select your course and institution, and what resources or support services have you found most helpful at your institution?
I chose my course at TAFE SA because education has always been a big part of my life. I worked as a teacher in Indonesia for many years, and I have always been passionate about teaching, learning and supporting students in their development.
When I had the opportunity to study in Adelaide, I wanted to explore another area of education and learn more about how young children learn, grow and develop. Early childhood education felt like a natural extension of my background, and I was particularly interested in gaining practical skills that I could apply in real learning environments.
I chose TAFE SA because the course combines classroom learning with hands-on experience.
One of the things I have appreciated most is how supportive the learning environment has been. My lecturers are very approachable and helpful, and I have also met classmates who support and encourage one another throughout the course.
A particularly valuable part of my study has been the opportunity to complete my work placement at a childcare centre in the Adelaide Hills. It has allowed me to apply what I learn in class, work directly with children and educators, and gain a much deeper understanding of the early childhood profession.
The knowledge, practical experience and confidence I have gained through TAFE SA have also helped create opportunities for me to work in the early childhood education and care sector.
For me, studying at TAFE SA has been a meaningful way to continue growing as an educator while discovering a new area of education that I have become very passionate about.
Describe a moment when you felt truly at home in Adelaide.
There wasn’t just one particular moment when Adelaide started to feel like home. It happened gradually through the little things we experience as a family every day.
One of the things we love most about Adelaide is its connection to nature and its slower pace of life.
My son and I especially love the beach. For a long time, one of our dreams was simply to live somewhere close to the ocean, where going to the beach could be part of everyday life rather than something we only did on holidays. Living in Adelaide has made that little dream come true, and it is something we are genuinely grateful for.
We also love how easy it is to enjoy the outdoors here. There are playgrounds almost everywhere, and whenever we need a break from our routines, we can go for a walk along the beach, explore a hiking trail, visit the Botanic Garden, or simply spend time surrounded by nature. Those simple family moments have become some of our favourite memories of living in Adelaide.
Another thing that has made us feel at home is the warmth of the people here. We have found many locals to be friendly, welcoming and genuinely kind.
What I also appreciate about Adelaide is its diversity. People from different cultural backgrounds, languages and experiences live side by side, and that makes us feel that being different is not something that separates us, but something that is respected and celebrated.
As an international family, that sense of inclusion has been very meaningful to us. Whether through school, study, work or everyday interactions, we have met people who have made us feel welcomed and accepted as part of the wider community.
At the same time, we have been fortunate to be surrounded by supportive Indonesian communities such as PPIA Flinders, Kajian Islam Adelaide (Adelaide Islamic Studies), and the Indonesian Islamic Society of South Australia (MIIAS).
Through these communities, we have made friendships, celebrated important moments together and stayed connected to our Indonesian culture and traditions. Even though we live thousands of kilometres away from Indonesia, having such a close-knit community makes the distance feel much smaller.
For us, Adelaide has become a place where we can enjoy the lifestyle we once dreamed about, feel welcomed by a diverse community, and still remain connected to our roots. It is that combination of nature, people, community and simple family moments that has truly made Adelaide feel like home.
If you were to take a friend on a day trip around Adelaide, where would you take them and why?
If I were taking a friend on a day trip around Adelaide, I would probably plan the day around what they enjoy most because Adelaide has so many beautiful outdoor places to explore.
If they love the beach, I would take them along the coast to places such as Marino, Glenelg and Hallett Cove. We love how each coastal area has its own atmosphere, from relaxing by the beach and enjoying the sunset to walking along the coastline and taking in the beautiful views.
If they prefer nature and hiking, I would take them to Morialta Conservation Park or Mount Lofty, where we could enjoy the walking trails and see a different side of South Australia’s natural beauty. I would also love to stop by Stirling, especially because of its peaceful atmosphere, greenery and charming village feel.
What I love about Adelaide is that you do not have to travel very far to experience something completely different. In one day, you can enjoy the beach, the hills, hiking trails and beautiful natural scenery. That variety is one of the things that makes living in Adelaide so special for us.
Where do you currently work, and what are your future aspirations?
I'm currently working as an Outside School Hours Care Educator, where I have the opportunity to support children’s learning, wellbeing and development outside school hours.
At the same time, I am continuing to build my experience in early childhood education and am looking forward to opportunities to work in a childcare setting as I progress in this field.
My long-term aspiration is to continue growing as an educator by combining my background in English education with my developing experience in early childhood education and care. I hope to keep learning, gaining practical experience and contributing meaningfully to children’s education and development.
For both of us, our time in Adelaide has been an important period of learning, growth and career development. We hope to continue building careers that allow us to contribute through education and research while making a positive impact in our respective fields.