International student Anastasia landed her dream job after completing a Master of Community Development.

If you want to create positive change for communities around the world, then it’s vital to be able to see issues and problems from a range of different perspectives.

This is something Anastasia Titisari knows only too well. She moved from Indonesia to Perth to study for her Master of Community Development at Murdoch, graduating in September 2020.

“I like to challenge myself and think from different perspectives and possibilities,” she said.

“Being different is cool, but being able to understand and appreciate diversity is incredible.”

For Anastasia, that means thinking about problems and situations not just with your brain and logic. Finding answers to help the communities you’re working with means using your heart and passion, being in touch with your emotions and, sometimes, going with your gut.

Master’s helps launch dream community development career

Now that Anastasia’s back in Indonesia, her Master of Community Development has helped her launch her dream career, scoring a  new role as a social researcher at the Indonesia National Population and Family Planning Board. This role allows her to pursue her passions for gender studies, Asian communities and culture and family planning and development.

The community development course provides great skills and knowledge in my work field, including social policy and community change, research on community-based projects, a creative way to engage with the community and an understanding of the dynamics of cultural diversity."

“I love it because it’s in line with my passions and embraces community development ideas and practices creatively,” she said. 

An international student’s Murdoch experience

It’s not just Anastasia’s studies that helped her understand the value of different perspectives and ways of thinking. She credits the experience of moving abroad to study for also opened her eyes to the world around her.

"I finished my undergraduate studies in Indonesia, so there were no language barriers or culture shock,” she said.

“So, I had to adapt to being an international student, but fortunately the Murdoch community—other students, lecturers and academic staff—helped.

“The uni had several workshops and counselling to support the international students. In the process I developed a sense of contentment, security, safety and belonging at Murdoch.”

Encouraging a culture of critical thinking

Anastasia says a big difference between studying in Indonesia and studying in Australia was the culture of critical thinking—something that has been hugely useful for her career in community development.

“In this university’s culture I have to think differently, by being reflective, objective, analytical and critical,” she said.

“That led me to take this cultural difference seriously. Furthermore, the value of respecting other’s opinions is essential here.

“This encourages me to improve my social skills and cultural learnings. It also leads to personal and community engagement that enriches my motivation and excitement.”

Murdoch a creative hub and global learning centre

Anastasia said she chose to study her master’s degree at Murdoch because it is a creative hub and a global centre for diverse learning. She said that her studies at Murdoch  provided her with the skills she needed to gain a competitive edge in her industry.

“I’d recommend Murdoch because I’ve improved my career, understanding, skills and knowledge in community development and research,” she said.

“Take a master’s and challenge yourself.”

Interested in postgraduate studies? Discover how you can accelerate your career with a Master of Community Development from Murdoch.