The Peer Mentor program allows Construction students to make a positive impact

Currently studying online in India, Dev sought to create connections with other students, both offshore and onshore. He credits the program with helping him make new friends and improve his career profile. Dev shares with us his study journey as well as tips and tricks for other students studying offshore. 

Why did you choose your degree? 

After working in the Architecture industry for 3 years, I realised the importance of management and the need to advance my skills in the field of built environments. The sheer joy of working in a foreign country would help to advance my construction knowledge and provide a better platform to explore different disciplines in a built environment like core construction, architecture & the property sector.

Why did you choose the University of Adelaide? 

Firstly, the ranking and the reputation of the university, and secondly the city of Adelaide. Apart from these, the course structure in the University of Adelaide comprises subjects from project management, entrepreneurship and property management. These subjects helped me to learn & understand different strategies required in the core discipline of construction & project management. Moreover, the option of selecting additional electives helped me to explore subjects like sustainability, services in the context of an advance built environment.

What are you enjoying most about your degree?

There are a lot of things that the course offers like the tutorial activity which helps to implement the theories learned in the lecture. Also, the valuable interaction with the professor when doing an assignment or preparing for the research proposal. Along with that, additional activities like the engagement with the LCE, online events & others helps me to get distracted for a while and relax.

How have you adjusted to online learning?

The online Platform initially was a big challenge, and the university was also learning to adopt these new platforms. The biggest struggle was dealing with the time zone difference, where most of the tutorials were early in the morning at around 5 am. But from last semester the lectures and tutorials were conducted separated just for the offshore Students. And the timings of the lecture were planned in a way that would be comfortable for all the students studying online.

What support services have you accessed?

During these challenging times, lack of information was a major issue and since accessibility to university through email would take time. In these scenarios, the International Student Support had proven to be a platform to interact directly through scheduled zoom or voice call, which helped to clear all doubts and function as a medium to get support for other services.

What motivated you to join the International Peer Mentor program?

The sheer joy of helping and support others motivated me to be a part of the wonderful community of International Peer Mentors.

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

With this program, it provided me with a platform to extend my support to student both on-shore and off-shore. The support also extended in helping them to adapt to a different country. Also, to inform new students about the facilities that the universities provide, events that are happening around the university, and lastly, to have a dependable friend who can be there as a mentor.

This program had helped me to make a positive impact on student life. Moreover, it had allowed me to meet new students interact with them & develop professional skills like time management and communication that would have helped me to improve my career profile.

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

Gearing with the utmost skills, becoming sensitive to diverse cultures and boosting with a lot of confidence needed to start my journey.

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

Currently, I am devoted to my studies and along with that, I am looking for opportunities in the field of design, sustainability and property to embark on my future aspiration of revolutionizing the construction industry and starting my practice.

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

• My advice would be in becoming proactive in connecting & interacting with peers and also your professors. Studying online tends to lose focus and distract your attention from studies, try to formalise a study plan or a routine that you would follow to finalise all the submissions on time. Formalise yourself with the new medium of learning and keep an eye on the announcement received from the professor and the university.
• Our university provides the platform to connect with other students both onshore and offshore through their fun events like LCE and Connect Clubs.
• Stay in touch with the International Student Support & Ask Adelaide for any help regarding your studies.
• Familiarize yourself with other support services like Writing & Maths centre, online library and most importantly the Career Services to stay updated with upcoming opportunities in the desired field.

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

• Experience the beautiful city of Adelaide and the university.
• Would love to meet all the people that I meet online & take part in the events run by different clubs in the University.

Dev 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 teams.