Before stepping into the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM), Chinese international student Nan Su had never imagined that digital technology could become a silent cultural translator—opening a portal, on a bright afternoon in May, to Sydney’s maritime past.

Everything inside the museum felt novel. She stood before a vintage rotary phone as if transported back to the 1970s, waiting for a call from another time. When the story of the HMAS Vampire submarine began to play, she no longer felt like a visitor but a participant—witnessing the ebb and flow of history alongside the city.

At that moment, a quiet sense of belonging washed over her.

“These impressive digital technologies made me feel more included,” she said.

Living Between Cultures

In this video, we spoke with Nan, who had just visited the ANMM.

Nan is an international student from China pursuing a master’s degree in project management at the University of Sydney.

In her spare time, she visits different neighbourhoods around Sydney, exploring the city’s natural and urban landscapes while learning about its history and culture.

However, as an international student, Nan found it challenging to understand and integrate into the local culture.

“For me, the biggest challenge is the cultural difference,” she said, “because I think Australian maritime culture is quite different from that of my hometown.”

Nan’s home province, Hainan, is also an island where life is closely tied to the sea—echoing Australia’s deep connection with the ocean.

Despite the geographical similarities, Nan often felt like an outsider due to cultural differences, frequently experiencing a sense of distance and isolation.

“For me, it’s not easy to understand their culture,” Nan said, adding that she often needs to research background information before visiting a place; otherwise, she struggles to engage fully.

This time, she came to the ANMM unprepared, and she worried she might miss crucial information due to language and cultural barriers.

Nan’s story unfolds between two cultures. She is keenly aware of the invisible boundaries that come with living in a foreign land—and wonders whether that distance can ever be bridged.

Museum Embraces Digital Future

The museum Nan visited, located in Darling Harbour, Sydney, has been a government-run institution dedicated to showcasing Australia’s rich maritime history since its opening in 1991.

Since 2019, the ANMM has been embracing  digital transformation, using emerging technologies to preserve, curate, and share its collections in new and engaging ways.

In collaboration with design studio Frost*collective, the museum redefined its brand identity to establish a more dynamic and immersive public presence across digital platforms.

As part of this broader strategy, the museum partnered with U.S. tech company Honeywell to modernise its facilities. Concurrently, it began working with digital agency NOW Digital to digitalise over 50,000 collections, making them accessible to the public online.

The museum’s 2022-23 annual report shows that digital experiences are a key component of the visitor journey.

For Nan, the museum’s digital transformation wasn’t just something recorded in a report—it was something she felt. Digital technology shaped her first memorable moment at the ANMM: a shipwreck brought to life through immersive technology.

Immersive VR Shipwreck Tour

Her concerns soon eased as digital technology inside the museum became her bridge to understanding.

Nan had a positive impression of the ANMM. “I think they have good exhibitions,” she said.

First, Nan experienced the exhibition, A Graphic Tale of Shipwreck – Rediscovering South Australian.

ABC News previously reported on this innovative exhibition, which allows users to explore a digitally reconstructed 1837 South Australian shipwreck and discover its historical treasures.

Slipping on a VR headset, she suddenly found herself transported to a stormy night in 1837, where powerful waves pounded a whaling ship, forcing it onto a reef.

“They use VR to help me better understand the marine world,” she said.

The exhibition utilises intuitive visuals and spatial experiences to help international students, such as Nan, understand local historical events in Australia without relying on proficient English, providing them with a meaningful entry point into the host culture.

Creative Animation

Nan said the most impressive part of the museum for her was an animated film about Sydney Harbour.

Nan sat on a cushioned bench inside the ANMM, her gaze fixed intently on the glowing screen before her.

Displayed was an immersive animation titled Barani – A Sydney Harbour Story, depicting the peaceful daily lives of Aboriginal people who once inhabited the shores of Sydney Harbour.

Without a single word of narration, the visuals alone conveyed a profound story of connection between people and the sea.

Although Nan did not closely read its written introduction, she was still able to understand its theme through the visuals.

“I think it talks about Aboriginal people who lived in Sydney Harbour a long time ago,” Nan said.

“The story follows a mother and her son living in a beautiful place. It shows how they live, how they go fishing, and how they survive using their small, old boat,” she said. “Through the animation, we could also see the beautiful scenery.”

Digital Connection and Belonging

By the end of her visit, the initial uncertainty Nan felt had transformed into a sense of belonging. Seated near the harbour, with the Sydney sunshine softly illuminating her face, she reflected on the impact of the museum’s digital innovations.

Nan felt digital technology not only introduced her to Australian history but also strengthened her sense of connection with it.

“It’s good for children, or for anyone from a different background, to learn about the history of Sydney Harbour,” Nan said.

She expressed that the museum made her feel welcomed and helped reduce the cultural distance she initially experienced.

“I felt more included through this kind of digital technology,” she said.

Her experience reflects a broader trend. In the ANMM’s 2023-24 annual review, the museum reported that 97% of visitors gave positive feedback. This suggests that its digital strategy has significantly enhanced public engagement and reinforced its connection to contemporary audiences.

For visitors like Nan, the ANMM becomes not just a place of learning but a space where cultural distance feels just a little bit smaller, thanks to digital experiences designed with inclusion at their heart.

Rising by the harbour, the museum quietly reminds both locals and newcomers of their enduring bond with the sea. With each immersive display and virtual journey, that bond becomes more visible and resonant.

Have you ever had a cultural experience like Nan’s—one that helped you feel more included in a new place?
If so, I’d love to hear your story. Feel free to send your reflections to yyan0155@uni.sydney.edu.au.

Further Reading:

• “Digitisation as the key to processing colonial natural history collections” (Science X)

• “International Museum Day: how China is aiming for cultural superpower status” (South China Morning Post)

• “Auckland museum enhances digitisation efforts with storage upgrade” (South China Morning Post)