by Raissa Almira, IELTS Prize Winner 2025
I moved to Australia for my master’s degree and lived there for 1.5 years. I completed a Master of Marketing Communications at the University of Melbourne through the Australia Awards Scholarship. During that time, I also worked part-time as a Digital Marketing Coordinator at a local travel agency. Moving to Australia was very exciting, but it was also overwhelming. Despite the novelty, I was already prepared for it because I had been studying for the IELTS test intensely. Whether it was new accents, new academic expectations, or many other things, I was more than ready.
Cultural Adjustment
IELTS speaking did not just make me more confident in communication; it also helped me become more aware of tone, clarity, and intent, all related to cultural adaptation, as it is not just about understanding the language but also about how people communicate both explicitly and implicitly. This helped me in all kinds of conversations and interactions, from small talk to professional discussions. My practical advice for those moving abroad soon is to observe before reacting. Try to listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and don’t be afraid to say, “Could you explain what you mean?” People will be more than happy to elaborate further. In addition, please also be respectful of cultural differences that you may encounter.
Academic Life
IELTS listening and reading trained me to process information quickly, while writing prepared me to express opinions and arguments in a structured, academic way. These are all very useful, as academic life overseas requires more independent and critical thinking, as well as greater participation. One tip from me is to read the course materials before classes start so we can participate fully during class. By participating fully, we learn and experience more than just being a passive student.
Personal Growth
Living abroad has helped me to develop many skills, including being able to go out of my comfort zone, such as speaking in an international forum, asking for help, and also resilience, which IELTS has trained me in, for instance, to perform under pressure. That mindset has carried over to my real life. Remember that mistakes are part of learning and that adjustments are normal.
Advice for Future IELTS Candidates
From my story, you may already understand that IELTS is not just about a score; it is also a way to hone your skills to survive abroad. These skills will be very useful in classrooms, meetings, and more. Here are some of my tips for future IELTS candidates that you may find useful.
- Try to practice writing opinions and arguments in a structured manner by seeing the IELTS Model Answers, not memorised templates.
- Train your ears with real conversations and lectures. You can also train them by listening to podcasts on your topic of interest.
- Speak regularly, even to yourself in the mirror and think in English.
- Read content related to your field or interests, so you find English interesting.
Not Abroad Yet?
You know what? Even if you are not living, studying, or working abroad yet, IELTS can still open doors for you by boosting your credibility, improving professional communication, and preparing you for global opportunities, as English is very important. Opportunities such as remote jobs, international projects, scholarships, or leadership roles. It also builds confidence to express ideas, negotiate, and be heard. We can think of IELTS as an investment, not just for where you want to go, but for who you want to become. Because one day, when opportunity knocks, you will not be all crammed up to prepare, as you will be ready already.