My Journey: From International Student to Permanent Residency

Seven years ago, I arrived in Sydney as an international student, armed with just $500 and big dreams. Fast forward to 2024, and I am now a Permanent Resident of Australia, working full-time as an Software Developer and pursuing a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence with aspirations to pursue a PhD at UNSW, one of the top 20 universities globally.

Background

My journey began long before I touched down in Sydney. It started in Nepal, my homeland. Following my 12th-grade results, I was overwhelmed by uncertainty about my future. In 2016, studying abroad was not as popular as it is today, making the process of navigating overseas education quite daunting. After consulting with some education agents, I had a clear roadmap of steps, pros and cons of different countries, cities, universities etc.

Australia was at the top of my list, primarily because of the diverse range of courses offered by its colleges and universities. The next step was choosing the course. I was always passionate about technology and programming. I was already learning Java and C++ and enjoyed coding and building console applications. My interest was firmly set on a Computer Science degree, with a preference for hands-on courses that would prepare me for the industry.