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Jiaqi Zhou on building a future in law and a life at ANU
When Jiaqi Zhou, known as Eunice, chose to study a Juris Doctor at the Australian National University (ANU), she was searching for more than a qualification.
She wanted a place to sharpen her academic skills, grow personally and be part of a community that felt like home. Canberra, with its balance of peace and opportunity, delivered just that.
Building balance in Canberra
Eunice was drawn to Canberra for its reputation as the nation’s capital and the career pathways it offers through public law, NGOs and government organisations. What she discovered, though, was something equally valuable: balance.
“Canberra is very peaceful. As an ambivert person, I both enjoy spending time by myself and spending time with my friends. So, Canberra really balances my social needs and my inner peace,” she says
That balance has allowed her to find a rhythm where study, friendships and wellbeing can thrive side by side.
Community at the heart of student life
Living at Lena Karmel Lodge has given Eunice some of her most memorable experiences. As an Academic Mentor, she hosted a degree mixer where residents from different colleges came together to share knowledge and stories.
“In that moment, I felt touched and excited. Not only because I was included in that community, but because I contributed to it to make others feel included too.”
Clubs and societies added to that sense of belonging early on, while living on campus helped turn acquaintances into lifelong friends.
Eunice has made moves to create an inclusive and diverse community at ANU for other students to feel included when they come from overseas.
Staying connected to culture
Community for Eunice is also about keeping her cultural roots close. She often shares Chinese traditions through food, hosting potlucks where friends bring dishes from their own provinces.
Food, she says, is a powerful way to bond – not just with other Chinese students, but with roommates from different backgrounds. Those meals have become celebrations of both identity and inclusivity.
Support that makes a difference
Eunice credits student support services for helping her succeed.
The Academic Skills team gave her the tools to approach essay writing with confidence when she first arrived, and those lessons still shape her studies today. She also values the support from the Australian National University Students Association (ANUSA), from advice to the small joy of free breakfasts.
That encouragement has extended into professional opportunities too. The connections she built at ANU opened the door to work at a Canberra law firm – a step closer to her goal of practising in family law and intellectual property law.
A journey worth sharing
Looking back, Eunice describes her time at ANU as a journey of growth.
From the challenge of her first semester essays to the friendships and confidence she has today, she has discovered the value of connecting with people from every walk of life.
“I’ve gained so many strong connections, not only with my classmates but also with my neighbours in my student residence. I’ve really enjoyed the quality time I have spent with people here.”
Eunice sums it up simply: the years she’s spent at ANU are ones she’ll remember for the rest of her life.
Discover more about living at our one of our most popular student residences at ANU, Lena Karmel Lodge.
