Where is your home country?

India

What do you study?

Masters of Information and Communications Technology (Advanced)

Where do you study?

Western Sydney University

What languages do you speak?

English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi

Fun fact

I overcame both my fear of height and water by ziplining from the 56th floor of the Pattaya Tower, and parasailing and scuba diving along the Coral Islands all within a single day.

What opportunities has studying in NSW given to you?

Studying in NSW has blessed me with many opportunities that have developed my professional career. I was selected as a Western Sydney University ambassador to participate in a Work Integrated Learning program called Global Scope to develop my employability skills, completed an Internship as a ‘Strategy and Operations Consultant’ with Practera which lead me to becoming a Customer Success Specialist.

I was lucky enough to receive the NSW equity scholarship to attend the Council of International Students Australia (CISA) conference in Cairns in June 2018 where I shared my experiences working with Practera and imparted wisdom to fellow students and encouraged their participation in community work and professional development opportunities.

Furthermore, I had an amazing opportunity to be the Master of Ceremonies at the 2018 NSW International Student Awards held in Sydney in September 2018 and welcome over 200 industry representatives, award finalists and recipients. This night definitely has been added to my most special memories here in NSW.

I am currently working on a Masters Project as part of my academic work in collaboration with Sydney Water, which includes work on the development of an applied statistical model to aid in the forward prediction of project performance. This project is unique as it forms the academic foundation for future work while promising to be immediately applicable to improving the controls of a multi-billion-dollar industry to reduce costs to the consumer and the time taken to develop Sydney’s rapidly growing infrastructure.

What has been your favourite experience in NSW?

My favourite experience in NSW has been a family road trip to Nelson Bay which is known for dolphin and whale watching, surfing, diving and fishing. Having great weather, it's always worth swimming at the beaches that surround the bay. If you’re a nature lover, I suggest grabbing seafood by the restaurants near the waterfront and enjoying the most romantic sunsets along the beach. The boom net experience with MoonShadow cruises is definitely worth trying out and you get to see the friendly dolphins around you. Stockton Beach was also a unique attraction with crystal blue water on one side and sand dunes over 98ft high on the other. This place offered me an opportunity to go sand-boarding for the first time ever and it was totally worth it. If you’re looking for an adventure and wish to rejuvenate your weary nerves then Nelson Bay is worth a visit!

What advice do you have for other international students?

My advice for other international students is to be patient, believe in yourself and stay passionate about your dreams. It is all about constructing a confident and positive attitude. There will be times when things do not work in our favor but that should be perceived as a stepping stone to something better. I have realised that it is not wrong to make mistakes because constructive criticism makes you a better person if you accept it with a smile. Success is not an overnight achievement but a journey of smaller achievements that is supported by perseverance and a never-give-up attitude. Listen, speak, believe and reason with yourself and the people around you. Once you have mastered this art, nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams!