Real stories, real dreams: Students share their study abroad journeys

Edward Young from China pursuing a Master of Business Analytics at Melbourne Business School 

Kushal Sharaf from India pursuing a Bachelor of Sports Science and Sports Management at Deakin University  

While Kushal hasn’t fully embraced Melbourne’s coffee culture (though four years there have earned him the title “coffeeholic”), Edward has found a second home in the city’s vibrant diversity. For Edward, connecting with people from around the globe and mastering international dishes has turned his passion for cooking into a lifelong adventure. Kushal’s journey began with quieter steps, navigating the challenges of breaking out of his shell. A leap of faith at an art workshop (despite doubting his creative skills) became a turning point. Though his sketches didn’t improve, his confidence did, sparking friendships and even the courage to try skiing for the first time.   

Life abroad taught Edward to expect the unexpected. A 40-minute train ride to a banking event led to an unlikely meeting with his future business partner. Looking back, he laughs at his past anxieties: Between building a business and learning different languages, he even found time to fuel his obsession with cars.   

As for Kushal? Choosing uncertainty over convention paid off. Though his path felt risky, following his heart brought unexpected joy.   

Their shared wisdom? Don’t overthink, just go. And check the weather before you pack.    

Tune in to hear how Edward discovered his passion for business analytics after considering multiple careers, and how Kushal’s bold choices led him to a life he loves. 

Carolina Gutierrez from Colombia pursuing a Master of Marketing at The University of Melbourne 

Farhan Nurzaidan Widyahartono from Indonesia pursuing a Master of Business Analytics at The University of Melbourne 

Carolina, an extrovert, and Farhan, the book-loving introvert, prove there’s no “right way” to thrive abroad. Though their journeys began differently, both discovered growth, adventure, and unexpected joy.   

Farhan leapt into his study abroad dream with wide-eyed excitement. Carolina, despite her outgoing nature, faced nerves on day one. However, the university-arranged campus-wide scavenger hunt helped her make friends. For her, exploring the university’s buzzing clubs and cinematic campus became a real-life adventure.   

Academics tested them both. Farhan, pivoting careers, wrestled with business basics until classmates became allies. Carolina swapped psychology for marketing, embracing the freedom to reinvent her path. Though writing in English initially felt like “thinking through fog,” they persevered—Farhan toward data science mastery, Carolina toward exploring multiple career options. 

Beyond classrooms, they redefined themselves. Farhan scaled bouldering walls and ping-pong tables, proving hobbies need no passport. Carolina plunged into scuba diving, swam with seals, and hiked trails, embracing outdoor activities.   

Cultural roots stayed strong. Carolina’s Colombian heart thrived in shared Spanish flats and Colombian feasts, while Farhan found “home” in Bahasa conversations and Indonesian student meetups.   

Their advice? Don't fret. Breathe. Explore. Trust the journey.   

Watch their story to see how Carolina transformed early nerves into career curiosity and how Farhan balanced his data-driven ambitions with hobbies and outdoor adventures.  Let their journeys remind you: studying abroad isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about discovering questions you never knew to ask and rewriting your own story, one bold step at a time. 

Marian Aristizabal from Colombia pursuing a Master of Business Analytics at Melbourne Business School 

Dira Ayuu Karima from Indonesia pursuing a Master of Business Analytics at Melbourne Business School 

What does it look like to thrive as an international student in Australia? Meet Marian: resilient, reliable, and definitely funny, and Dira: empathetic, eager to learn, and secretly hilarious. Two unique personalities, one vibrant Melbourne: here’s how they thrived. 

Melbourne’s diversity stunned Marian, a Colombian who’d never seen her hometown’s quiet streets mirrored in a global melting pot. Dira, from Indonesia, marvelled at how the city celebrated every culture like its own. Yet adaptation came with quirks: Marian wishes she’d known sooner how eager peers were to connect, while Dira laughs, “Next time, I’m bringing in more snacks!”   

Friendship found them fast on orientation day. For Marian, it was bonding over the university’s cozy sweaters; for Dira, the delectable snacks sparked instant camaraderie. Their study hacks? Dira’s phone calendar is a deadline fortress. Marian outsources to ChatGPT: “Why stress when AI can schedule?”   

Beyond books, they bloomed. Dira dives into Melbourne’s Islamic community—BBQs, religious study circles, laughter that feels like home. Marian smashes tennis balls, hunts Colombian eateries, and plans sustainability moves for her civil engineering future. Dira, sponsored by her company, soaks up cross-industry skills to “bring global ideas back to Jakarta.”   

And their cultural roots? Never lost. Marian finds Colombian groceries and friends at every corner. Dira’s weekly ritual: Indonesian food feasts.   

Their golden advice?  

Marian: Research, then dive in; scary becomes fun!  

Dira: Ask questions! Find students who’ve been there. And pack extra snacks.  

Hear their stories—how Marian’s class trip planning forged lifelong bonds, and how Dira’s quiet charm turned strangers into friends. Discover their secrets to balancing deadlines, cultural pride, and Melbourne’s endless adventures. 

Shaam Gupta from India pursuing a Master of Business Analytics at The University of Melbourne 

Ines Vieira from Brazil pursuing a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at the Melbourne Polytechnic  

Shaam landed in Melbourne just 24 hours before her first class—no time to breathe, let alone unpack. Nervous? Absolutely. But warmth from university staff and classmates softened the whirlwind transition. Ines, arriving from Brazil, felt the same initial jitters. However, she soon found out Australians don’t care about perfect English, they care about the person.   

Their study rhythms couldn’t be more different. Shaam’s one-year data analytics master’s is a sprint: classes until 5 PM, study groups, and professor visits to “solve queries before sunrise.” Ines balances two weekly classes with babysitting gigs, mastering time management between assignments and bedtime stories. Every deadline met feels like a victory, she says.   

Career dreams? Shaam eyes PhD programs or global business analyst roles, while Ines plans to shape young minds as a kindergarten teacher and maybe pursue a master’s later. Studying abroad showed her how big the world is and what her options are, Ines reflected.   

Friendship found them in unexpected ways. Shaam combatted early loneliness by opening up and striking up conversations with like-minded people. Ines shares a house with friends and has weekly family-style dinners with them. Both cling to cultural roots: Shaam hunts down Indian festival groups via event apps in Melbourne’s alleys; Ines cooks her mom’s recipes and tastes home in every bite.  

Their advice? 

Shaam: Research your course, connect with peers online; knowledge kills fear.   

Ines: Study the culture. I trained as a barista pre-Melbourne: Got a job and fluent English!   

Watch their journey—see how Shaam turned 48 hours of chaos into confidence and how Ines found the path to their dream career. Let their stories remind you: the best adventures begin just outside your comfort zone. 

Studying abroad might feel overwhelming at first, but as these students show, it’s a journey worth taking. They faced doubts, challenges, and culture shocks, but with the right support, they turned each obstacle into an opportunity. With IDP by their side, they found more than just a university—they found community, confidence, and purpose. If you’re dreaming of studying abroad but don’t know where to start, take the first step. You don’t have to do it alone. Let IDP help you navigate the path ahead. Because your global future doesn’t start someday, it starts the moment you say yes. 

Speak to an IDP counsellor for free today