Hello from the heart of Sydney! (Day 1)

I’m beyond excited to share a sneak peek into our programme’s first full day at St Paul’s College, University of Sydney. Yesterday’s sunny Arrivals Day set the stage, but today’s cooler temps have been perfect for diving into a jam-packed first day.

We kicked off the day with a cooked breakfast and then the first lessons of the course. Our students met their tutors, who are basically walking encyclopedias in their fields, and by lunchtime students were excitedly sharing what they’d just been working on with their peers.

A peek into the classrooms showed a glimpse of the diverse and fascinating topics being covered. In the Medicine class, there was an engaging discussion about X-ray examination and the classification of injuries. Meanwhile, the Psychology group was delving into an insightful overview of common psychological disorders. And our young engineers were discussing quantum engineering – a topic that’s sure to spark some intriguing conversations.

After lessons, and undeterred by the rain gradually easing in, we headed to Darling Harbour. If you’ve never been, it’s this amazing spot in Sydney – packed with cool shops, stunning views, harbourside restaurants. It’s the kind of place that transforms a regular day out into a proper adventure – and gave students who may not know the city too well their first glimpse of what life is like here.

We were all home for our evening meal, and then it was time for the mentor Fireside Chat in the JCR. Students got to listen to the real-life experiences of our mentors – Udit is a Computer Science undergrad and Charlie is a Law postgrad student at the University of Sydney. There was no sugar-coating, just honest, eye-opening stories about life at uni here. It’s elements like this that make me proud of what we do – giving these students more than just textbook knowledge.

Immerse aims to mix academics with real-world insights, and today was a winner on both fronts. It’s super rewarding seeing all these young faces, keen to learn and explore, and I’m thrilled to see how bravely our cohort has jumped into the experience and started to make the most of this opportunity!

Assistant Manager, Immerse Sydney