IDP Student Alumni: Manya, India

I tried a bunch of consultation agencies, but I chose IDP because it is renowned for its visa success rate. My education counsellor was really kind and understanding and helped me throughout the entire process starting from shortlisting universities to ensuring that I have proper documentation. She made sure I was aware of the scholarships available and really guided me throughout the process, step by step. The whole process went smoothly, and I couldn't have asked for more.

I think one of the major challenges I faced in my first week here was the cultural shock. It can be quite difficult to cope with it. However, I started to get used to it when I met new people, had a chat with them, and just spent some time getting used to the place. The other challenge would be looking for an accommodation. I spent a lot of time surfing the net to find a budget friendly accommodation which was quite stressful because most of them were booked since it was the beginning of the semester. I feel that homesickness is an ongoing challenge because even though I have started to really like Australia, I do end up missing my home country and my family every once in a while. Whenever that happens, I call them and just have a long conversation with them.

I have currently not found a job but I'm still looking. I created a resume and I’ve been using Indeed and Seek as my main platforms to grab the attention of employers. I have applied at various places and I'm hoping for the best. I also talked to a lot of people at my university who worked at some part-time jobs just to gain some insight that might help me in the long run.

I am planning to apply for a temporary work visa after I complete my degree. I am planning to apply for internships and would love to work in a well-established company that will help me gain some hands-on experience. I think that having a job in Australia can really broaden my chances of getting an even better work opportunity someplace else and could open various doors for my career in the future.

The main advice would be to just get out of your comfort zone and talk to as many people as possible. I know that it can be quite tough in the beginning, but a lot of people might be going through the same thing you're going through and you could not only help each other out but learn a lot from them as well. This is probably the best way of building connections.

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