Abhishek is a 24-year-old student from India studying abroad in Australia and pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Computing.

Having worked with one of the world's biggest Global Distributions System Company in the world, deciding to pursue further education was not a problem. Deciding on Australia to do my Masters and especially UTS was even simpler - latest technology, excellent environment to learn, an environment of open communication, links with the industry around the world, academic expertise and needless to mention, the koalas and the kangaroos. I however, received a lot more than I expected. UTS offers a multicultural learning environment which is not only apparent within the student population but in its excellent academic staff as well.

Postgraduate studies come with a lot of pressures and require persistence and motivation. UTS has a lot to offer - the lecturers are extremely supportive and forthcoming. All postgraduates have a course supervisor who they can call upon for help in selecting appropriate subjects to follow a particular field of interest and make the most of their degrees. I must admit that the various support services offered by UTS helped me deal with the pressures of postgraduate studies fairly well. The 'PeerNetwork' (a group of students who help manage the student orientations every semester) was the first UTS group I came in contact with here at UTS. The effect was so motivating that I was inspired to join it myself. Now I have worked on 3 orientations and enjoyed every single moment of it. Besides that there are special international student counsellors, loan facilities, legal assistance, career counselling and support services for those who require assistance with English language and writing skills.

My experience at UTS has helped me explore the learning and teaching environment from almost every area - as a student doing my masters, as a tutor for 2 subjects and as the Faculty Board postgraduate student representative, and from every side, the picture is promising. Living and studying in Sydney both are an opportunity to make new friends from around the world, opening up to new experiences and ways of thinking. In fact in no time you adapt the 'Aussie' lifestyle and lingo of 'no worries mate', 'barbies' and 'G'day'. It is not difficult to break down barriers of culture. Australians are probably amongst the friendliest lot of people with 'mateship' at the core of everything.

Author: Abhishek Malaviya, University of Technology, Sydney