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Journalism of Courage
— Harshini Rathika Kishore Kumar Singh
My interest in studying abroad began when I was in Class 12, when I completed my schooling at Vikaasa World School in Tamil Nadu, an international Cambridge-affiliated school. Coming from a normal business family, the global curriculum exposed me to a world beyond my hometown. It made me think internationally for the first time.
After school, I moved to Bengaluru for a BBA in Entrepreneurship at Jain University (CMS). The programme’s emphasis on creating meaningful work sparked my entrepreneurial spirit. During a 50-hour internship with Teach For India, I saw how rural children lacked exposure to global opportunities. That one experience led me to establish an initiative, Rural Tech Rise, which has now reached more than 50 government schools through mobile libraries, robotics workshops, internet literacy sessions, and entrepreneurship programmes.
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To scale Rural Tech Rise, I needed global experience, digital transformation skills, and cross-country partnerships — Deakin University matched every requirement.
Australia had been my dream long before I knew much about global education. As I grew older, its culture, warmth, safety, and international collaboration opportunities made perfect sense to me.
Deakin was always my plan A. I spent nearly 10 years imagining this journey, and receiving the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s 100% Scholarship changed my life. It gave me financial freedom, a community of outstanding scholars and the confidence to pursue my MBA (International) with a specialisation in Digital Transformation, aligned with my vision of strengthening India-Australia collaborations.
Because this was a dream I held for years, I gave myself a full year to prepare – IELTS, scholarship essays, interviews, documents and visa I worked closely with a study abroad consultancy in Bengaluru. They don’t charge students, which made the process stress-free. Since my focus was solely on Deakin, my path was clear. For the scholarship rounds, I worked directly with the Deakin South Asia team, who guided me through every step.
– Passport
– Class 10 & 12 certificates
– UG transcripts
– IELTS score (I scored Band 8 after 3 weeks of self-study)
– SOP, resume
– Visa financial documents
– Scholarship essays, video and interview rounds
My visa took around a month, longer than expected, but it worked out.
The Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious Scholarship (100%) involved a written application, video submission, online interview and a final in-person round in Delhi. They valued meaningful work and real-world impact — my years building Rural Tech Rise played a key role.
I did not apply for a loan. My family could not afford international tuition, so I had decided to study abroad only if I received a full scholarship. The scholarship made my dream a reality.
Visa delays made me miss two weeks of classes and orientation, but landing in Melbourne felt like stepping into my vision board. My mother travelled with me, helping me settle in emotionally and practically. I quickly caught up with units, explored campus, joined the Deakin Dance Club, and began establishing the Deakin Innovation and Startup Club (DISC).
Through my sister’s referral, I secured a part-time role as a medical receptionist at a major clinic – 24 hours a week during the trimester, full-time during breaks, with comfortable pay. Public transport helps me save, and Google Calendar keeps my budgeting and routines in place.
Moments like strangers helping me at supermarkets, friendly tram conductors guiding me, and lecturers remembering my name as a VC Scholar made me feel instantly at home.
Your dreams are valid, no matter what your background is. If I could build a non-profit, earn a full scholarship, and study in Australia, you can do it too – but dreams require discipline. There will be delays, visa stress, homesickness and doubt. But the moment you land in a new country, every struggle feels worth it.
If you’re thinking “Will I ever get there?”—yes, you will. Maybe not today, but if you work consistently and hold your vision with clarity, the universe will meet you halfway.
Believe in your dreams. Trust the process. Take the first step – our future self will thank you.
Studying at Deakin feels very different from anything I experienced in India, and in the best way possible. The biggest shift for me has been the flexibility. There is no mandatory attendance here — what truly matters is how well you learn, apply concepts and perform in assessments. It creates a sense of ownership over your education, and I enjoy that freedom.
My Cambridge schooling played a huge role in preparing me for this environment. It strengthened my communication skills and gave me the confidence to express myself clearly. Sometimes people assume I have lived in Australia for years because of my accent, which even I find surprising. At the same time, my undergraduate years at Jain University taught me discipline, punctuality and time management—three skills that have become essential as I balance classes, part-time work, my startup and my responsibilities as a scholar.
Studying abroad has undeniably transformed me. Emotionally, mentally and professionally, I am not the same person who boarded the flight from India. My younger cousins now look up to me, and whenever they ask about life in Australia, I am reminded of how far I have come. Living independently has made me more mature and grounded. I have learned how to run a home, manage finances, take responsibility for every decision and stay consistent with my goals.
The first few weeks were challenging — I struggled with time management and felt overwhelmed catching up on missed classes. But eventually, I built routines, stuck to schedules and created habits that now keep my life steady and balanced.
Studying abroad does not just change your environment; it changes your identity. It pushes you to grow in ways you never imagined. It gives you confidence, resilience and the belief that you can build a life anywhere in the world if you are willing to work for it.
(This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics)
