M
C
Inner-city living
at Urbanest
Melbourne Central
Student profiles
Before you move in:
things to consider
Tong He (Lily)
Do you want a single
room or do you like to
share with others?
Country: China
Receiving an offer to study at Monash
College marks the beginning of a great
adventure for thousands of students
every year.
It’s an exciting time for both students and
their families, and one that Monash College
students Yi Tong He (Lily) and Fan Chen
(James) remember well.
Program: Monash
University English,
Monash University
Foundation Year
M
C
Destination degree:
Bachelor of Business
Lives: Urbanest
Melbourne
urbanest.com.au
Favourite place
in Melbourne:
Queen Victoria Market
qvm.com.au
How close do you want
to live to College?
22
23
“My parents were so happy for me,” recalls
Lily as we chat in the student common
lounge of her apartment building.
James and Lily communicate with home regularly via Skype and say
that their families are pleased with their accommodation choice.
James agrees. “My family and my teachers
were proud of me.”
Fan Chen (James)
Country: China
Program:
Monash University
Foundation Year
Destination degree:
Bachelor of Sports
Management
Lives: Urbanest
Melbourne
urbanest.com.au
Favourite place
in Melbourne:
Melbourne Cricket
Ground
mcg.org.au
It’s a typical Melbourne winter afternoon and
James and Lily have both completed their
classes for the day. They’ve agreed to show
MC magazine around Urbanest Melbourne
Central – the student accommodation they
have chosen to call home.
When she’s not studying, Lily likes to cook
in the apartment kitchen and sample the
restaurants in Melbourne. She’s downloaded
the popular Time Out Melbourne app and
uses it to navigate Melbourne’s varied
dining options.
Located in the centre of Melbourne, the
building is spacious and bright, and home to
almost 500 students from around the world.
The complex was completed in December
2014, and James and Lily are among the
first students to enjoy the facilities.
In his spare time, James plays basketball
in the Docklands area of Melbourne.
His ambition is to work in sport
management, and it’s clear that he’s
enjoying the sporting options available
in Melbourne.
Both agree that their ambition to study
overseas has prepared them well for
living independently away from home.
Lily shares an apartment with eight other
girls and shares a twin room. James shares
an apartment with four students and sleeps
in a single room. Each apartment includes
a shared kitchen and lounge area, and
shared en suite bathrooms. The building
is located a quick 10-minute walk from
Monash College’s city campus.
“It’s great being near things,” says Lily,
who names the Queen Victoria Market
as her favourite place in Melbourne.
“I like the MCG,” he says.
“I attended a football match there and it
was fun. I didn’t understand the rules,
but it was interesting.”
James and Lily communicate with
home regularly via Skype and say that
their families are pleased with their
accommodation choice.
As well as modern living areas, Urbanest
also offers many recreational options.
“I like running, so the rooftop gym is
convenient,” Lily says.
James also uses the gym, and both
students enjoy the cinema room.
“It’s nice to relax here when you have
finished study,” James says.
“Everyone is very friendly.”
Will you eat at home often?
Make sure you have a
suitable kitchen.
Once they graduate from Monash College,
both students are looking forward to
their life at university and share big
dreams for their careers.
For now, their focus is on study, making
friends and enjoying living in Melbourne,
recently named the world’s most liveable
city by The Economist for the fifth
consecutive year.
“The staff at Monash College and Urbanest
have been very helpful,” Lily says as our
tour comes to an end.
Check if the internet is
included in the price.
“Yes,” agrees James.
“You can ask any question, and that helps a lot.”
earn more about accommodation
L
options in Melbourne:
monashcollege.edu.au/live-and-studyin-australia/accommodation
Make sure you speak to
College staff, who can
help you settle in.