I wrote this on Reddit but feel like its important to share a few points about what could be improved since I have studied there.

The university should look to introduce: more ice breaking events, more social events, UWA Guild implemented events to break down barriers, parties to name a few. In group projects that involved randomisation of members rather than picking and choosing who your ‘best friends’ were. UWA for undergrad is one of the most insular universities going around in Australia, and I have studied across 4 universities in Australia. Networks (mainly from high school) had already formed there before you even had stepped foot in 1st year. UWA comes across as an extension on from high school. (Like a private school social circle) Some students seem stuck in a bubble that they are unwilling to step outside of.

Its like a mini-high school of who you previously knew. I genuinely found it difficult to fit in whilst I studied there and I stand by that. Not sure if things have changed but the experience there left me traumatised.

Im of the belief that people want to ‘maintain’ their social networks than look to expand. It might be a Perth thing , it might be a UWA thing………and for alot of high school students coming to UWA for their undergrad, they dont want to lower their standards- which hurts me to say. I read somewhere that someone mentioned that it was an ‘intergenerational thing’.

I understand that making friends isn’t supposed to be easy but you felt like you were on the backfoot if you came from here a certain background (which I wont go into too much detail)

It can be difficult for an ‘outsider’ to come in and mingle and mix straight away. And at times it can be cruel but through slow social rejection, you start to figure things out. For anyone that has experienced this at this university- Id say dont feel too disheartened. Part of the reason I believe the kids growing up in Perth are like this is because the city is isolated, we aren’t as socially inclined as a Melbourne or Sydney. Find some university clubs and work your way up from there.