Diksha - Southern Cross University

I had made up my mind since I was in tenth grade that I wanted to go to Australia

Hi, my name is Diksha Gidwaney and I studied Business at Southern Cross University in Australia

I studied a Bachelor of Business majoring in Management, and what I really enjoyed about this degree was the practical experience that I got from it.

So, it was not just assignments but it was actually doing research on practical businesses and ventures that are coming up - which is really important so that we are prepared when we leave University, so that we are strong as confident that yes – that it what we want to do, or that is what we want to learn from.

Southern Cross made sure that when I went to study there, they made sure that everything was there for me, ready to go, which made my parents more comfortable in sending me all alone, because they were sending me in the right hands.

The Gold Coast lifestyle is very relaxed, and laid back which is amazing. I prefer going for hikes in the national parks like Burleigh Heads, or else going to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary just so that I can unwind and relax, and the beach just across the road.

Being able to meet and connect with all the people from around the world has helped me to grow and become more outgoing as well, which is kind of like blossoming me into a completely different person, and this is going to definitely help my career.

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 during 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 more than four years ago.

Now 24 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 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 right now is a good time for school leavers to take the opportunity to apply for study at Southern Cross University in Australia.

“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 study online and in person – 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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