Humans Of The Village: Charuni Rajapakse

You Villagers are an interesting bunch…

It’s another installment of Humans of the Village! I’m shining the spotlight on Villagers from all around the country and sussing out how they battle the stormy seas and desert plains of young adulthood on campus. This time we’re checking in at Western Sydney University, Parramatta Village, in Sydney and chatting to Charuni Rajapakse.

How long have you been living at the Village?

Almost two years now.

Where are you originally from?

I am an international student from Sri Lanka.

How old are you?

21 years old

What are you studying? How long have you got left? What do you want to do when you’re finished?

I am studying a Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership). I have one and a half years more to go in my degree. I want to step into the business and finance sector.

What kind of apartment do you live in?

I live in a six bedroom apartment. My apartment is quite big. I had six apartment mates this semester, they were from China, England, Australia and Bangladesh. I have had former apartment mates from India, Vietnam and France.

What has been the most convenient thing about living at the Village?

It is very close to the university. There are many friends that we can associate with and choose the best friends to be around rather than if I was living outside with one or two people that I hardly know.

Are you involved in university life?

I describe myself as a person who is extremely involved in university life. I am the residential representative of the university student campus council, I am a student mentor and also the president of the Buddhist Association that I formed on my own this year. I am connected with staff members of Student Support Services in my campus and I am also one of the resident assistants at the village.

If you could pick the best year of your uni life so far, which year would it be, and why?

My first semester and the current semester put together is so far the best year of my university life as I had the excitement of my first days in Australia during my first semester with a few close friends. I have a closer family of friends this semester and also involvement in university life with clubs and event organising.

What do you think your uni experience would have been like if you never lived at the Village?

I do not think I will have changed my personality from an introvert to extrovert (which is was before I came to Australia) if I did not have to live in the Village. I would not have felt the need to speak to other residents and understand different cultures. I would also have relatively few friends as I would not be as social as I currently am.

If there was one thing you’ll remember about the Village later in life, what do you think it would be?

I would remember the good times I had with my close friends when hanging out in our apartments. The kind of chatting we had and the food we made. Although it also includes both good and the bad food we used to cook at times!

Thanks Charuni!

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