ADVICE FOR SUCCESS - Part 1 (Guide for New Students / New Comers).

After all the negative banter about Australia, I thought will be good to share some positive experiences of Pakistani student success in Australia.

(Disclaimer: am not trying to show off or anything, just sharing my 7 years of experience. And these tips may not work for everyone).

A bit about myself, I am a Doctor and came to Aus in 2011 to do a Masters in Public Health. I later did a PhD (Sports Medicine) and am currently am a Lecturer with The University of Sydney. I also own a Sports Technology company www.cricdoc.com.au 

I have worked with many international teams as a Medical staff such as Australian Soccer Team (Socceroos), FIFA (South Asian Teams), Cricket Australia, ICC, NRL (Australia), Cricket Victoria etc.

I got my PR without having an occupation in the SOL by regional employer sponsorship.

I come from a middle class family, but some hard work and strategy has help me get where I am.

Tips for success:

1. Have good written and spoken English.

2. Try to be the best in your class (stand out from the crowd).

3. Focus on your long term goals not $$.

4. Network and Explore.

5. Wake up early and dont be scared of failure.

Now let me elaborate point by point:

1. Have good written and spoken English.
(Imagine trying to find a job in Pakistan with broken Urdu / local language).

Solution: Try to live with Aussies or ppl who dont speak your language. I have many Paki friends but I made sure I didnt live with them. This helped me learn about other cultures moreover, I picked up Aussie accent. That itself helps you in interviews when you go to big companies.

Secondly, it also helps to reduce the negative stereotype of Muslims and Pakistan. My Aussie friends now know the Positive side of Islam and Pakistan. This is also a way of giving back to your community. It's about integration not assimilation.

Most educated Aussies are respectful and will allow you to practice your religion and not have bacon in kitchen.

2. Try to be the best in your class (Stand out from the crowd).

Solution: With more than 1.2 million international students, if you are average then the chances of success are minimal.

In my Masters, I worked hard and smart. I made myself known to all the teachers and scored really well in the exams. I was also very social and was the founding member of Uni of Syd Pakistani student society. One of my teachers was impressed with my ability and I was offered a PhD scholarship. After 3 months of volunteering, I got a paid tutor position and rest is history :)

3. Focus on your long term goals not $$.

I had many friends who worked hard and made $$. Whereas I focused on targets.

*I was lucky to get fee support from family for 1st year so I didnt have to worry about fee. But I knew from 2nd year I will be on my own. However, I worked smart in 1st yr and achieved my targets.

I know a lot of students dont have much family support. However, I feel they over work themselves once they see the $ and lose focus on studies.

For new students make sure you pay 1st year fee in advance and bring $10k so you can focus on studies like myself. If you are here for making money and paying fee on a go, Aus is not ideal (rather go Germany, Norway etc), with low fee.

4. Network and Explore.

I made sure I lived with Aussies so I made local networks. Imagine living in Pakistan, without having any Pakistani friends. The dilema is 90% of pakis do this.

I quickly figured out that Universities are the biggest employers in Australia and they are the 2nd biggest contributors to the country's GDP. I made myself known to University staff and constantly explored job opportunities.

Remember, in cities more than 50% of the ppl are migrants, but in small country towns 99% are local Australians. Ever wonderdered why?

Well, the answer is simple, must be something good there that makes locals live there.

So soon after I finished my degree, I moved out to rural/remote Australia with the help of a local friend. Boy that was the best decision of my life. I quickly found a job, paid 1/2 the rent of a city and had all facitities and surprisingly ppl were very friendly.

5. Wake up early and dont be scared of failure.

I made sure, I wake up at 7am every day, if I had uni or not. I used to go out every day and explored the city. This kept me very active and came across a lot of opportunites.

After I graduated, I was rejected 34 times for Uni jobs. I made sure after every rejection, I called them to ask 'what could I have improved to get this job?' To my surprise, a lot of times, I got feedback. Working on the feedback and constant improving I got a job. Lesson is to never be scared of failure.

These things worked for me and I think it wil be good to share. If you have any questions, plz post as comments, I will endeavor to answer them.

Regards,
Naj Soomro