Student Story
From Mumbai to Melbourne
In 2024, I moved from Mumbai to Melbourne to pursue a dual Master’s in Management and Advanced Finance at Monash University. I left behind a business I had built from scratch, a community I had grown with, and almost everything that felt familiar.
I knew moving to another country would be challenging, but I underestimated just how much it would test me personally, professionally, and emotionally.
This is the story of what happened after I arrived.
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The Journey So Far
Starting Over in a New Country
Before coming to Australia, I had already built a life and a career that I was proud of.
I started my own coaching academy in India when I was just 18. What began as a small initiative eventually grew to more than 400 students. Over the years, I taught more than 1,100 people across subjects including Economics, English and French.
I had built something from the ground up, developed a community around it and created an identity for myself. But I wanted more.
I wanted international exposure. I wanted to understand how corporate environments worked. I wanted to challenge myself beyond what I already knew and discover what I was capable of in a completely different environment.
That was one of the reasons I chose Australia.
But once I arrived, I quickly realised that starting over meant starting from zero in many ways.
The Challenges
When Reality Hits
The Australian job market was harder than I expected.
I worked multiple part-time jobs while applying for corporate roles. I was managing a student loan, living alone, dealing with visa processes and trying to build a professional network at the same time.There were days when self-doubt became overwhelming.
I constantly compared myself to other people. Some seemed to find jobs quickly. Others appeared to have everything figured out. Meanwhile, I was trying to understand where I fitted in.
There were moments when I questioned whether I had made the right decision by coming here.
Moments of Growth
Showing Up Even When Progress Is Invisible
Eventually, I started a content platform where I could share the honest reality of student life in Australia.
I wanted to talk about the things people don't always see: the uncertainty, the pressure, the loneliness, the small wins and everything in between. My story is not about an overnight success. It is still unfolding.
What I have learned is that sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply keep showing up.
There were days when I couldn't see any progress. I was sending applications, attending networking events, creating content, studying and trying to keep everything together. But I kept going.
I learned that consistency doesn't mean being perfect. It means continuing even when things don't go according to plan.
Keep Going
International Student Life Is Genuinely Hard
If there is one thing I want international students to know, it is this:
International student life is genuinely hard.
My last semester was probably the hardest four months I have experienced since moving to Australia.
I was finishing a demanding degree, searching for part-time work, networking for future opportunities, creating content and managing my living expenses — all at the same time.
At one point, I seriously considered not taking the 485 visa and going home immediately after finishing my degree.
But then I stopped and asked myself why I had come to Australia in the first place.
I had not yet done what I came here to do.
I wanted to work here. I wanted to understand corporate culture. I wanted to build something in a new country.
Leaving before achieving that would mean making a permanent decision in my worst temporary moment.
And that is never a good idea.
My Advice
Start from DAY 1
If I could give one piece of advice to international students, it would be to start from Day 1.
Don't wait until you feel settled.
Don't wait until you feel comfortable.
Don't wait until you think you are ready.
Start networking. Start applying. Start building. Start exploring.
The students who hit the ground running often figure things out faster because they begin adapting while they are still learning how everything works. Either find the right opportunity or create one. Don't wait for Australia to come to you.
One of the biggest adjustments for me was understanding how different human connection can feel in a new country.
People are wonderful, but everyone is also focused on their own lives. The way people connect can be very different from what I was used to in India.
That was something I had to learn to adapt to.I had to figure out networking, finding opportunities and building professional relationships through trial and error.
Rahat's Message
Don't Treat Your Journey Like a Race
To every international student reading this:
Don't treat this experience like a race. Your journey will be remembered long after the difficult moments have passed. Embrace It!
It is difficult, but that difficulty is intended to prepare you, not scare you. Everyone's definition of difficult is different.
But what is not subjective is the courage it takes to leave everything familiar behind and build something in a new country.
That takes courage.
Trust that courage.
It will carry you through.