MONEY MATTERS
Financing your education needs planning. While scholarships are a great way to ease the burden, students can also work during breaks.
Iwas 21 when I started my one-year masters in international broadcasting in London. I had a faint idea that when the university goes on a break, I might have to take up a job. It was the right time for me to start earning. and there were no jobs on-campus at that point and I decided to explore jobs outside. I found an opening in Burger King in Egham in the south-east of London. The job entailed flipping burgers and assembling them for customers. I used to do the weekend shift for eight to nine hours, and sometimes 11 hours, if needed. I learnt quickly on the job and before I knew, I was cooking an average of 50 to 90 whopper patties every day. The pay was enough to take care of my miscellaneous expenses such as transit passes, movie and city outings. Later when I moved, I had enough to pay for my first month’s rent and deposit. Apart from the satisfaction of earning your own money, I got an idea of how to manage it well. As for finding work, one can check the university website for on-campus jobs or talk to the students union. If you are allowed to work 20 hours per week, it means 20 hours per week. Regulations outside India are strict. Also, don’t get exploited and know your rights.
In 2016, I moved to Sydney to do my masters at 22. I am now in my final year of PhD. I always wanted to study pharmacology and I chose Macquarie University because there was great diversity in the research groups, and the supervisor was very supportive. I was awarded the Research Excellence Scholarship in Macquarie’s International HDR Main Scholarship Round conducted between May and July every year. It allows me to pursue my PhD with a full tuition fee waiver and a substantial annual stipend. Ask yourself what you want to do and why, so you can narrow down the places that excel in that area. It’s important to embrace the culture of the country you have moved to. Learn the local slang, it will help you mingle with other students. —As told to Harshita Das