From Gurgaon to Melbourne: Why Saloni says planning ahead made all the difference

Setbacks into success with IDP Student Essentials!

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Published: 11 September 2025
Updated: 10 September 2025

Saloni Yadav was 23, working as a data engineer in Gurgaon, when she realised something was missing. She could crunch numbers and build data models, but she lacked the business acumen to tell the bigger story behind the data. To take the next step in her career, she knew she needed more professional experience unlike any other — and that’s when she decided an MBA at a renowned international institution was the right path.

But the journey was far from smooth sailing. Her first solo attempt to study abroad in Canada fell through after her offer was deferred to a later semester. “I was disappointed, of course, but deep down, I knew this wasn’t the end. I wanted to give myself another chance,” she recalls. Six months later, when she walked into an IDP fair and met Anjali, everything changed.

“I didn’t just get a counsellor — I got a guide, a cheerleader, and sometimes even a friend I could ping from my office kitchen between meetings,” Saloni laughs.

The Road to Melbourne

Despite setbacks with her first attempt for Canada, Saloni persisted. With the counsellor’s help, she applied to the University of Melbourne — her dream choice. To her surprise, she not only got through but also breezed through the visa process with an auto-grant.

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Tackling the Essentials

Saloni knew that admission was just the beginning; the real challenge was planning smartly for life abroad— everything from money transfer and SIM cards to accommodation and health cover.

She needed a one-stop solution to handle it all, and that’s where IDP Student Essentials stepped in, making her transition smooth and stress-free.

1. Student Banking: Through IDP, Saloni explored student-friendly bank accounts with options like HSBC and Commonwealth Bank. By sorting it in advance, she could activate her card quickly with mobile authentication and access her funds from day one.

2. SIM card: She was able to set up her SIM card from India, which meant she could contact her parents as soon as she landed, confirm her airport pickup, and stay connected without any last-minute scrambles.

3. Student Money Transfer: For tuition, she chose Flywire — her university’s preferred partner. “It felt simple and secure, and IDP helped me track the transfer end-to-end,” she explained. Knowing her funds were safe and on time gave her peace of mind before the big move.

4. Student Health Cover: Using IDP’s comparison tool, Saloni chose Medibank for its balance of coverage and affordability. The plan gave her peace of mind with unlimited doctor visits, preventative care, and coverage from day one.

Saloni’s Tips for Future International Students

When Saloni sat down to reflect on her journey to studying abroad, these were the key pieces of advice she hoped would guide other international students like her:

Sort your housing early. “It takes away so much stress.”
Don’t hesitate to lean on your counsellor. “I trusted Anjali completely — she knew the process better than I ever could.”
Plan ahead but don’t be afraid of setbacks. “My Canadian offer didn’t work out, but that gave me the push to find a better fit in Australia.”

Why Her Story Matters

Saloni’s story is one of perseverance, but also about knowing where to focus her energy. Studying abroad can feel overwhelming, especially after facing setbacks like not getting your chosen destination. What set Saloni apart was that she didn’t try to do it all alone. With a dedicated IDP counsellor by her side, she shared the load and trusted Student Essentials to handle the details. Instead of spending endless hours researching, she leaned on trusted services and partners — giving her the freedom to focus on her studies, her goals, and her big move.

Her journey is a reminder that preparing for life abroad isn’t just about forms, checklists, or ticking boxes. It’s about resilience, support, and believing in yourself even when things don’t go as planned. With the right guidance, you can step into your future with confidence and a little less stress.

“People around were stressed for me,” she says. “But I was the most relaxed person because I knew everything was already taken care of. Honestly, I just had to pack my bags— Everything else was sorted.”