Geelong is a vibrant regional city 75 km from Melbourne. From the first week, neighbours waved hello, classmates helped me settle in and student groups made me part of the family.
If you’re thinking about studying in Australia, there are many reasons why you should choose a smaller student city. Here are some of the benefits!
The key benefits of living in a smaller student city
1. A warm, close-knit community
From day one, I felt connected. On campus and around town, people remembered my name and background. Fellow international students and locals checked in on each other. Around one quarter of Geelong’s population is born overseas, so diversity and inclusiveness are natural here. The result was that I quickly felt supported and that I belonged.
The class sizes aren’t as big in smaller student cities like Geelong, which makes it easier to get to know people. And there are friendly gathering spots like the student lounge or a café by the bay. I joined a study group where we chatted about life over coffee breaks, and my neighbours even invited me to family dinners. As a result, I quickly built friendships that made me feel at home.
Deakin’s tutors and counsellors were easy to access and genuinely interested in my success. If I struggled with a complex concept, I could sit down with my professor during office hours without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. I also attended local city group events at the International Student Lounge where staff helped me navigate student life.
2. Proximity to Melbourne: best of both worlds
Geelong offered the comfortable pace of a regional city while keeping Melbourne’s opportunities within easy reach. The train from Geelong to Melbourne runs frequently, taking just about an hour. I could meet Melbourne-based professionals (on campus or online) without giving up Geelong’s lifestyle and afternoons at Eastern Beach.
In short, I got Melbourne’s industry exposure plus Geelong’s community and support. Choosing Geelong meant accessing all of the advantages of ‘regional’ study and graduate pathways, while keeping a global city within arm’s reach and benefiting from the personal touch of a smaller student campus.
3. Industry access and professional growth
Geelong has a strong construction sector, with roughly 11% of the local workforce in this industry. Major projects in urban development and infrastructure meant that guest speakers and construction site visits were part of my studies. Other industries like healthcare and manufacturing are also big in Geelong, so friends of mine in engineering or IT also gained internship experience.
Deakin has strong connections with local industry partners and the university supported me in applying for internship and project assistant roles. Smaller cities mean business owners and engineers are often keen to help local students. This enriched my learning with real industry insight and led to concrete career opportunities. I remember chatting with an engineer who was interested in my project, even offering to review it.
I actually found work more easily than I expected, helped by getting experience through volunteering.
4. Leadership and personal growth
In smaller ecosystems, visibility is not about competition, it’s about contribution. You are seen, heard and given space to lead. I was able to lead student groups and committee projects – roles that might have been out of reach in a bigger university setting. One of my proudest moments was organising an event with alumni and industry speakers. It exceeded my expectations. Faculty members appreciated the initiative, students reached out for follow-up connections, and industry guests engaged in longer discussions.
That achievement significantly boosted my confidence.
Another defining opportunity was being able to do a STEM internship in Vietnam during my studies. My professors mentored and encouraged me, and I got to work on real-world construction and project coordination challenges in multidisciplinary and cross-cultural teams. It was the first time I truly saw how classroom knowledge translated into global practice.
5. Affordable, balanced lifestyle and beautiful surrounds
Living costs in Geelong are lower than the bigger cities, which was a blessing and a key factor in my well-being and success. At the same time, Geelong’s great outdoors and community events gave me a balanced lifestyle. Weekends meant joining free local excursions (cheaper and more accessible here than in Melbourne) of recharging at the waterfront.
In Geelong, I could enjoy city comforts like cafes and multicultural food without the heavy price tag of a metropolis. And when I wasn’t in class or labs, I joined hikes along the Great Ocean Road or cheered for local sports teams at Kardinia Park. Weekends were spent at free local events or beaches and enjoying the beautiful surrounding region with my classmates from around the world.
A life-changing choice
Instead of being an extra face in a big university, I became an active participant in a thriving student community. As a result, I not only mastered construction management but also grew as a leader, a networker and a person.
When I was named International Student of the Year 2025 - Regional (Victoria), it felt surreal. But more than a personal milestone, it felt like a reflection of everything Geelong had made possible, of the ecosystem that nurtured me, the mentors who guided me, and the community that believed in me.
Geelong’s regional charm, combined with its connectivity to Melbourne’s professional world, truly changed my entire study experience for the better.