Study in Australia at Southern Cross University

How Diksha’s family supported her dream to study business in Australia

For Gold Coast-based Diksha Gidwaney, moving to Australia was the adventure of a lifetime.

It was in year 10 Diksha had the dream in her heart to one day move to Australia to enjoy the beautiful weather and beaches, diverse culture and wonderful people. Although her family was hesitant at first, Diksha achieved good grades in senior high school and was accepted to study at Southern Cross University on the Gold Coast. Her family trusted the University would be a good fit for their daughter and they helped her move in October 2016.

Now 23 years old, Diksha recently graduated from the Bachelor of Business Management at Southern Cross University, and lives and works on the Gold Coast – Australia’s favourite beachside city with 300 days of sunshine a year.

She is now plans to pursue postgraduate study at Southern Cross, with a Master of Marketing to further her career.

Diksha was born in Tanzania to an Indian father and Tanzanian-born mother of Indian heritage, and spent her childhood years growing up between West Bengal in India and Muscat in Oman.

“After high school I was applying for a few universities in Australia, but I didn’t want to go to a big city like Sydney or Melbourne,” she said.

“I came across Southern Cross University and the team there got back to me really fast and were very professional and helpful. Being the first person in my family to move to Australia to study I wanted to find somewhere I would feel safe and supported, and also where I could fast-track my course if I wanted to.  Southern Cross had the option to study summer subjects, and my family and I decided it was the right place for me. The Gold Coast is an incredible underrated city, and anyone who spends even two weeks here never wants to leave.”

The Unistays team at Southern Cross University helped Diksha find accommodation with a local family in a beautiful home near the beach, where she still lives to this day.

“I really enjoyed my first year at Southern Cross – the International Hub was so helpful, and Sarah Sekulic in particular is amazing at helping International students transition to living in Australia.

“I became an International student ambassador which was a really great opportunity to help other international students out during orientation and engage with them throughout the study session, and I also had the opportunity to become a Mayor’s Student Ambassador to represent the Gold Coast at events with other international students from all over the world.

“The Gold Coast is a very diverse city and the locals are very welcoming, kind and open hearted.

“I had such a good experience that my younger brother also decided to come and study at Southern Cross when he finished high school. I recommend Southern Cross to other high school students as well, there are so many opportunities and the University is very helpful, comfortable and safe. The public transport system here is very good and secure as well.”

Diksha said although international borders are closed, it is a good time for school leavers to take the opportunity to apply for study at Southern Cross University is Australia.

“Right now, students can still apply to start studying with Southern Cross University online, before moving to Australia later on to finish their degree. Eventually international borders will reopen, so if you plan to study abroad, you might as well apply and start the degree now instead of waiting until everyone else will be applying and getting visas – it’s better to be prepared in advance and have a headstart on your studies.

“I got so much out of studying at Southern Cross and even did three of my subjects online. The University is very good at delivering online study, there are so many online study groups and activities to take part in, and the Library staff are so friendly and available to help. There was never a problem that was too big for my professors or for the International Office to help me with.”

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