By Rohmatus Saniyah

The fresh breeze with the quiet hum of Monday morning blues decides to greet the week in the softest way possible. The welcoming session carried that unmistakable tension for the ‘first day’: hands clutching phones, sleepy eyes, conversation happening in a low, careful tone as students adjusted themselves to fluorescent lights. This semester’s cohort is slightly smaller, though the hall still feels less spacious. Some students actually came, accompanied by mama and papa, as they held on to their last stretch comfort before their ‘freedom’ comes. However, some are too occupied with their screens and stare at their phones relentlessly. Perhaps, to kill time? Or maybe masking their nervousness. Still, it was Gen Z coded in its own way. 

The emcee finally took over the stage, and the temperature of the area shifted almost immediately. Their enthusiasm is louder than ever, as both emcees happen to be the 2026 MUSA Vice Presidents, Harshini and Shereena. Thus, the energy from the mecess was undeniably stronger than the newcomers. At one point, the freshies were separated into two groups for the interactive segment, and a slight panic expression was visible. Imagine, glanced exchanged, shoulder stiffened, and the quiet fear of being momentarily alone in a crowd. Although the freshies may not have matched the volume, they tried – and sometimes that effort matters more than the decibels. 

The speeches that followed carried a depth that surprised many. It was communicated in such an endearing way that almost dizzying in the way significant beginnings do. There were comforts in their tone – accommodating with steady grounding. Surely it offered clarity and calm when the message resonated deeply: university is structured, yes, but it is also supported. That sentiment echoed during the school information session as well, where the core message seemed almost simplified into one steady assurance. “The only message we were absorbing about academics was: this is what you need to graduate, and when you get into trouble, we have tutors, and we have a mental health support system ready to help us,” I recalled asking a rather rushed student.

Future Ready, the most refreshing pace session that evolved the atmosphere into something sharper and more energised for the freshies. Infused with personal storytelling rather than abstract advice, Kim May Chee, one of the standout speakers, brought an unexpected flavour to the stage. Cocodry Malaysia, the first blow-dry bar in Malaysia founded by Mrs. Kim. There was something particularly engaging about the way she used her slides – not overcrowded, not overwhelming, but intentional. Each visual supported her narrative rather than distracting the audience from it. One phrase she shared lingered in the air long after the session ended: facing difficulties with an open heart. For students navigating academic expectations, social shift, and the transition into adulthood, that phrase felt less like advice and more like permission to grow imperfectly. The Q&A segment felt genuine and insightful, with students asking questions that reflected real anxieties about career paths, growth, and uncertainty. 

As the week progressed, came the day when everything felt amplified. The agenda was packed, and the campus transformed into a moving current of activity. Go Global and Block Party occupied the same stretch of afternoon into evening, creating an atmosphere that felt alive but surprisingly controlled. Thirteen booths stood ready at Go Global, each prepared with mini games and interactive tasks. Students were handed ‘boarding passes’ (stamp card listing all thirteen stations), turning the experience into a symbolic journey. Around 8 booths inspired by Monash exchange destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. There are seven games and activity stations, a DIY corner, and three self-interactive booths. This event is designed to promote global exchange and transfer opportunities among new students, to inspire you to explore Monash’s international campus programmes. The mini game system encourages freshies to enjoy their time without feeling forced. Matter fact, it motivated movement, conversation and engagement. Activity team nailed it this time.

As daylight faded, the energy did not dissolve – it deepened. The transition from afternoon to evening felt seamless, almost cinematic. Block party had the evening going with music blended into conversation, footsteps layered over cheers, and the campus glowed with a kind of collective presence.  The February intake proved they were far from shy; they navigated themselves through a once familiar place and let laughter echo across spaces that only days before felt too quiet. Strangers who once stood awkwardly beside each other were now competing in games, exchanging social media handles, and forming early fragments of friendship. 

The final day carried a calmer rhythm, a quiet one too. Although coverage inside International Game Night was limited, the visible energy from outside told its own story – students running between activities, voices rising in playful competition, bursts of laughter breaking through the air. It was not explosive, nor was it chaotic. It felt genuine. And perhaps that authenticity defined the entire week. 

Orientation had shifted from obligation to immersion, and the fear of separation had softened into exploration. It was never about a grand transformation in five days. It was about subtle shifts – from strangers to acquaintances and from hesitation to participation. 

Photos by Kristine C., Ryan Isaac, Grace L., Kesha