Where is your home country?

Nepal

What do you study?

Master of International Tourism and Hotel Management

Where do you study?

Southern Cross University - The Hotel School Sydney

What languages do you speak?

Nepali, English and Hindi

Fun facts about you 

I was raised in a well-disciplined family with a proud history of ‘Gurkha’ (known for their loyalty to the British army and reputation as the fiercest warrior in the world) and attended school at a police academy with a mandatory dorm system in Nepal. I love to stay active and engage in fitness activities such as yoga, trekking and hiking. I am also a foodie but don’t enjoy cooking. Thankfully, most of my friends are really good at cooking and love to cook for me!

What opportunities has studying in NSW given to you?

I consider Sydney my second home and studying here has provided me with an abundance of opportunities to create a global network and develop leadership and communication skills. I became a university mentor to help fellow international students settle into Sydney and adapt to the university lifestyle. Following that, I volunteered with Study NSW at the NSW International Student Airport Welcome Desk, Surf Life Saving NSW and Vivid Sydney, which provided me with the opportunity to meet new people, exchange knowledge and skills, and helped me become a part of a wider community. I was also a representative of the Study NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW at the Council of International Students Australia (CISA) Conference 2018 which lead me to my participation in the ‘Dead Lucky’ SBS Outreach Project to share my experiences.

What has been your favourite experience in NSW?

My favourite experience was being interviewed for the ‘Dead Lucky’ SBS Outreach Project which is currently available on SBS Learn. I met with the SBS outreach producer at the CISA Conference 2018 in Cairns during a discussion session which landed me the interview opportunity. It was an amazing experience to be interviewed with five other international students. We shared our insights on living in Australia, housing accommodation, finding a job, various university initiatives, and health and safety. In addition, I talked about my experiences as a Beach Safety Advisor experience and the promotion of beach water safety. It was fun being filming by the SBS team. They were humble and had acknowledged my international student experience.

What advice do you have for other international students?

My advice for international students is to make good use of the university career hub and any employment opportunities announced by lecturers and tutors. Organise appointments with the university employment consultants to prepare your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, interviews and also to inform you of any vacancies for your field of study. There are plenty of volunteering and leadership opportunities which are great for gaining work experience. You should be eager to learn, active, confident and never be shy in approaching people. Also be sure to make use of the international student guidebook provided to you by your education provider as it contains lots of useful information.