German student Aman Dhir shares his tips for getting the most out of uni life

Lucky enough to get to Australia before the borders closed, Aman has credited his success at uni to the multiple clubs he joined and opportunities that he jumped at. Now working at an International Peer Support Mentor, Aman hopes to inspire other international students to make the most out of their time at university.

"The University of Adelaide is part of the Group of Eight, of which are some of the largest and the oldest universities in Australia, consistently the highest-ranked of all Australian universities. The University of Adelaide is one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities and is consistently ranked among the top 1% of universities in the world," Aman said.

Why did you choose your degree? 

As information is becoming very important to make decisions, an understanding of how to leverage data is becoming key for many corporations. Following my undergraduate thesis “Impact of Big Data on management accounting principles for decision making” I decided to pursue a degree that can help me to understand the technical aspect behind data science.

What are you enjoying most about your degree?

The structure of the degree provides you with fundamental theoretical knowledge as well as practical applications. What I enjoy the most is the variety of support you receive with the Math Learning Centre and online Pass sessions.

How have you adjusted to online learning?

Being honest, I was one of the lucky students to arrive in Adelaide the semester before Covid-19 happened. Recently I had to fly back to India to get married. Yes, during this pandemic! 

Studying outside of Australia is much tougher than we think it is in Australia. You are totally disconnected from the University, and it does feel much like studying abroad.

How I have coped with online learning is by staying in touch with my friends and classmates I knew in Adelaide and discuss relevant topics with them. I know this will not be possible for many of you who haven’t been to Adelaide yet.

My tips for you are join clubs which are available for offshore students and make use of online help tool such as PASS. Stay connected with your professors via email. Simply because you never know who you will meet and how you can benefit from those clubs and programs.

What support services have you accessed?

• International Student Support
• Ask Adelaide
• Math Learning Centre
• Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)
• Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences (ECMS)
• Accommodation Services

I have used all the above services and I am pleased to tell that they will try to assist you in every matter in the best possible way.

What motivated you to join the International Peer Mentor program?

To make new friends and help others to connect.

What are you most excited about contributing to the student experience as an International Peer Mentor?

The O-week is the most exciting event for us IPMs. We are always excited to welcome new students and guide them through their first days. Another highlight is the Language, Cultural and Engagement Program which has been a sold-out event, where we host a specific country and the whole week is based on cultural knowledge and cuisine.

How do you think a degree from The University of Adelaide will assist your future career?

The degree will be very valuable to pursue a career as a business analyst since you learn how to use the relevant application to modify data to make decisions and build a bridge between management and IT.

What is your job role now/ if not, what are your plans for the future?

Since I am coming from a business administrative background, I would like to pursue a career as a business analyst. And I am very confident that the Master of Data Science is the right degree to enhance my business knowledge to succeed in that role.

What advice would you give to other international students starting their studies online?

• Ask questions if you do not understand something
• Time management is the key to succeed at university
• Ask Adelaide and International Student Support are there to support you in any situation
• Study is not everything! Try to engage in social activities
• Join university programs to enhance your network and make the most of your study experience

What are the top 3 things you are looking forward to when you arrive in Adelaide?

I was lucky enough to arrive in Australia before COVID-19 happened. I made a lot of friends and really enjoyed my time in Australia and at the University. I really miss the people the events and the weather!

Aman is just one of many incredible offshore International Peer Support Mentors overcoming adversity and dedicating themselves to supporting other students navigate university life. If you are considering starting or continuing your studies online but want to know what support is out there, visit our offshore study support page or reach out to one of our friendly team.