Dreams | Aakash Mehta
It is said that when you really want something from all your heart, then the whole world conspires to make it happen. I can happily say that it has happened to me here in Australia. Getting a Vice- Chancellor’s 100% Scholarship to study at Deakin University was one such want.
Benefits of studying abroad cannot even be counted on fingers, trust me. Especially coming from India where I was raised in a typical family where mom took care of the house and dad made sure we were financially supported. After coming here, having to cook for myself, sign my own house lease, opening a bank account, paying the rent, doing my laundry, studying, working part time and don’t even get me started with the everlasting assignments. The 2 years of Uni have been extra ordinary and it has made me more responsible.
Australia has made me a ‘Global Citizen’ in the true sense. I have been able to study, volunteer, lead a student mentor program with international focus, tutor and work alongside people from diverse background. Coming from a cricket crazy nation to a footy crazy nation, I have certainly enjoyed the aspect of internationalisation here. I have made friends from a range of countries like China, Turkey, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Greece, Malaysia, Mongolia, etc. Melbourne is such a multi-cultural melting pot.
Now working full time as a Client Services Administrator at JBS Financial Strategists is fun and challenging as well, because everyone except me is an Aussie, so apart from learning about superannuation, there are a lot of new Aussie slangs that I am learning! My knowledge about footy has certainly increased – Go Hawks! JBS is truly an amazing place to work and everyone there has accepted me as I am and I have also tried to fit in well. I am getting used to calling afternoon ‘arvo’, breakfast as ‘brekkie, the MCG stadium as ‘The G’ and to call my professors and boss by their first name.
Waking up early morning, travelling in the train with other office goers nicely suited up and rushing to work, I enjoy every bit of it. But I don’t know why people here cry about the crowded trains; I mean if you have travelled in the trains of Mumbai where you have to stand on one foot sometimes, getting to travel in the Metro with air-con and automatic doors is actually a luxury.
I believe there were challenges throughout, but if you love what you do, you will be rewarded for it. And to make it even more rewarding, I was awarded the Dean’s Merit List award by Deakin Business School along with other graduates who were in the top 2% of their course. Can’t ask for anything more than that!
The saying ‘it takes a whole village to raise a kid’ is very appropriate in my situation as Deakin has raised me as it’s child and I am getting a similar opportunity at JBS as well. All thanks to my parents and friends for supporting throughout.
Shukriya, meaning Thank you!