Madhumathy Chandrasekaran

"Participating in this project is my way of showing support and empathy towards students who move to a different country and do not have any family or friends here. I would like to give them tips for a smooth transition originated from my own experiences. I believe that by partaking in this project I can provide my fellow international students a sense of assurance that, despite any struggles or challenges everything will be all right. I want to convince them that if I can do it, they can do it.

I came to Adelaide in 2017 to study. I was very excited to start my course and a new life. Hailing from a densely populated city in India, Adelaide was a breath of fresh air for me.

I have had a well-balanced mixture of both good and bad experiences in Adelaide. I want to talk about coping mechanisms, mental health, racism, entertainment, housing, food, employment opportunities etc. I overcame difficulties that were sometimes very destructive by purely focusing on the important thing I came here for, my education.

I wish to tell the overseas students how much I have grown in the last two years and how my life in Adelaide and at Flinders University has made me a stronger person.