Where is your home country?

India

What languages do you speak?

English, Bengali , Assamese, Hindi, Japanese

What do you study?

Master of Professional Accounting Advanced (Financial Management)

Where do you study?

Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong

Tell us about your experience studying in NSW.

The tassel was worth the hassle and it is definitely worth experiencing once in a lifetime. As a student, things may not go according to your plans at times but that is what life is all about. Failures are just detours! So, be open to learning and try understanding people from all different backgrounds.
Sometimes understanding the other person's point of view is all that is needed to solve an argument.

Keep yourself updated with local and national news and policy changes. Never hesitate to reach out when in doubt. The support system that I got as a student in Australia is immensely commendable.

Above all, be curious and passionate about your dreams and aspirations.

What has been your favourite experience in NSW?

My favourite experience was with Early Start Discovery Space as a Visitor Services Officer. Early Start Discovery Space is the first dedicated children's museum in the world based on a university campus. It was indeed a privilege to work with the world-class museum. Since it was my first job in Australia it will always stay close to my heart. The exposure that I got while working in this fast-paced museum was immensely helpful in terms of understanding the Australian work culture. The best part of the job was the announcements that I made to present informative and entertaining information to the visitors. I always enjoyed public speaking since my childhood so making announcements was in a way fun for me. It helped me make new friends and understand the local culture.

What advice do you have for other international students?

Never compare yourself to anyone. Everyone's journey is different and so are the circumstances. Believe in your dreams, have faith and keep working persistently. According to my experience, it is extremely important to understand the Australian culture and the best way to do it is to come to study with an open mind and an attitude to learning.

When I say learning it is not limited to academics. It is about putting yourself out there and upskilling in all spheres of life. Australia is a country with people from diverse backgrounds and is one of the most preferred destinations for higher education. When you come to Australia as a student take and utilise every opportunity that you come across. University is the best place to learn since you always have a support system to mentor you when needed.

I have always felt secured and safe while studying here in Australia. I remember meeting with an accident in late 2017. The staff of UOW accommodation services ensured I was looked after well. Following which they regularly checked on my whereabouts and made sure I never felt depressed or isolated. As a woman, I really felt home in Australia.

What opportunities has studying in NSW given to you?

Studying in New South Wales has given me the opportunity to explore and understand multicultural societies. The life experiences that I had as a student can never be penned in words. Alongside my studies, I have participated in many business consultancy programs, volunteering and other extracurricular activities.

As part of an on-campus job, I worked with Early Start Discovery Space (ESDS) as a VSO (Visitor Services Officer) from the very first year of my postgraduate studies. I have also got the opportunity to volunteer for Disability Sports Australia (DSA), the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), Australian Red Cross, AussiebooksforZim, CatholicCare and many more.

I along with my team members won Univative Woolyungah 2017, and contributed to the local and wider community and represented the University of Wollongong. Following which I was also selected as a Univative Mentor for my previous success in the Univative program and leadership qualities. As a mentor, I managed students from mixed disciplines and supported them in solving a business problem. I have also worked with Wings Over Illawarra Air Show, UOW College and UOW Student Central in various administrative, advisory and student support roles. I was also given the opportunity to work for UOW Advancement Division as a Team Leader to raise funds for UOW priority projects and enhance engagement between UOW and alumni.
Last but not least, studying in Australia has given me the opportunity to showcase my first short film 'Limit' at a Film Festival, which is a wing to my future creative endeavours.