Perth boys make Campion history.
By Anthony Barich
WHILE many first year students heading off to university struggle with the isolation of being away from their family, the communal feel at Sydney’s Campion College makes David Chua, 18, and Matthew Biddle, 22, feel right at home.
The two boys, from Willetton and Kelmscott respectively, are the first West Australian students to enrol at Campion College and are halfway through their second semester, living on campus at Old Toongabbie as two of the 39 boarders from around Australia.
After living on campus for almost a year, both boys agreed that at first it was different, but it has now “become routine, a good, comfortable one”.
Matthew, who completed a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) at Curtin University after graduating from Kelmscott Senior High School in 2003, said the smaller student numbers than other universities gives the College its communal feel.
“You get to know almost every student, and build up a relationship with each other,” Matthew said.
“You can actually sit down at lunch and talk about theological issues. This wouldn’t happen to the same extent at other universities.”
David, from Trinity College, said part of Campion’s appeal is that it is the “only university in Australia which offers personal education in small classes”, while Matthew adds that its courses are connected, while at other tertiary institutions they are separate.
David said that Campion’s integrated approach to its subjects of philosophy, history, theology, literature, and science is part of its appeal, and that it provides personal education in small classes in courses that are integrated, unlike many secular tertiary institutions.
David was drawn to the Liberal Arts degree itself because in America, where there are over 500 Liberal Arts Colleges, Liberal Arts is “a serious option, which almost everyone considers doing”.
He believes that Liberal Arts is something in ten years’ time that “will be the way to go”. “Liberal Arts liberates you, you’re free to make a difference in any field you chose to do, because you’re given the tools,” he said.
The religious nature of the College also appealed to both boys, Catholic in name and practice.
Both boys also found it nice to be around like-minded dedicated people. Matthew feels that it is “inspiring to see so many other Catholics studying, and having the same thinking”.
Both boys miss home but return to Perth during breaks when they can. At the conclusion of his degree, Matthew plans to return to Perth and work in his chosen vocation in his home city.