Rising Together – The Phoenix of Our Stories
On the evening of April 3rd, something quietly powerful unfolded at Monash College. I walked into the venue expecting an event, but what I experienced felt more like a collective awakening. Phoenix - International Students’ Resilience Stories was more than a campaign launch or film screening; it was a moment of deep connection, healing, and inspiration.
The heart of the night was the premiere of Phoenix, a short film created by international alumna Anu Hewage. Through the stories of three international students, each navigating their own path of challenge, courage, and transformation, the film brought to life what resilience truly looks like. These weren’t fictional characters. They were real people. Their struggles were raw and familiar: the weight of expectations, the silence of isolation, the financial stress, and the ache of missing home.
As their stories unfolded on screen, I felt an emotional stillness in the room, that kind of silence where everyone is holding their breath, recognising a part of themselves in someone else’s truth. I certainly did. I was reminded of the early days of my own journey here, when I questioned my choices, doubted my strength, and quietly carried on. Phoenix gave voice to those unspoken experiences and wrapped them in light.
What struck me most was how each of the three individuals found their turning point, not through dramatic changes but through small, courageous acts: reaching out for help, joining a community, daring to speak up. This reminded us that resilience doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it’s the gentle whisper that says, “Keep Going.”
The evening also marked the official launch of the Phoenix storytelling campaign, an open invitation for international students to share their own journeys. It’s a space that validates the struggles many of us are often too afraid to name and celebrates the strength we build through them.
Alongside this, Future Forte unveiled its 2025 strategic vision. It was a moment that aligned perfectly with the evening’s spirit, a roadmap centred on mental well-being, peer-led support, and inclusive opportunities.
As an organisation, our vision is for all international students to thrive in Australia. And our mission is to provide peer-led support, resources, and opportunities to international students, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being through community engagement and empowerment.
I left the event with more than just admiration. I left with a sense of belonging. Of being seen. And most importantly, a reminder that when international students are given a voice, a platform, and a community, they don’t just survive, they rise.
