Preshaan Thavarajah - Exchange Alumni Testimonial

What motivated you to apply for the New Colombo Plan Scholarship?

I have always been interested in travelling, especially during my university studies when one is given a lot of flexibility and time to explore different things. The New Colombo Plan Scholarship seemed like a great opportunity to fund this experience, whilst also providing a network of like-minded peers from around Australia with whom I would be able to enjoy my exchange alongside. 

What motivated you to participate in an exchange program in Singapore?

Singapore was an ideal choice for me to undertake an exchange due to its strength in consulting/finance/technology (many top firms based in Singapore) all of which align strongly with my interests. Furthermore, the National University of Singapore is one of the top universities in the world enabling me to learn a large amount and embrace a different teaching experience. 

Finally, the culture of Singapore is truly a melting pot, containing people from all different backgrounds. Spending time in this type of environment, would allow me to better understand different perspectives, ways of life and ultimately greatly broaden my horizons.  

What challenges did you face during your exchange and how did you overcome them?

I certainly underestimated the administrative process required to go on exchange. It is often lengthy, and it is important to remain quite flexible to ensure the exchange program fits appropriately in one’s academic journey. 

Furthermore, when starting an exchange, the new environments can often cause cultural and academic shocks. Personally, I found it helpful to stay in close contact with friends, family and the University of Adelaide Study Overseas team for additional sources of support. 

What was your biggest takeaway from your experience?

The biggest takeaway from the experience would certainly be the many different viewpoints I was exposed to during my time in Singapore. Singapore is a melting pot of cultures and being able to interact with people from all different backgrounds enabled me to greatly broaden my perspectives.  

Do you have one piece of advice you would tell other students thinking about going on exchange?

I would encourage any student on the fence about undertaking an exchange to simply go for it! It is a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world and experience a different culture. Furthermore, once one is overseas, it is important to try out as many things as possible to get a truly fulfilling and immersive experience.
 

What was the highlight of your exchange?

It would have to be the number of long-term friendships and connections that I was able to build during my exchange program. These include fellow exchangers in my dorm, other new Colombo scholars, local Singaporeans and many more. Typically, individuals going on exchange are at an age in life where they are keen to develop more friendships, so I would encourage students to make the most of this opportunity!

What is something that would entice you to travel back to Singapore?

I don’t need any incentive to travel back to Singapore! I made so many friends during the exchange programme and cannot wait to go back and see them again!

What new skills or knowledge did you gain from the experience?

I was able to better understand the different points of view held by people from other cultures. Furthermore, being able to study at such a prestigious university alongside many other high-achieving and ambitious students was an amazing learning experience which pushed me to my limits.  

How did this overseas experience impact your academic or career goals?

This experience has allowed me to appreciate how enjoyable travel can be. Hence, I am hoping to secure a graduate position which has involves a significant component of travel as part of my work so I can explore even more countries!

Did the financial support from the New Colombo Plan Scholarship impact your decision to apply or facilitate your ability to participate in the exchange program?

Definitely! Without the New Colombo Plan Scholarship, it would have been very difficult for me to undertake this exchange program. The New Colombo Plan Scholarship provides a generous stipend as well as many additional allowances such as for flights and establishment costs. As Singapore is such an expensive city to live in, I am immensely grateful for the support of the scholarship and look forward to seeing many other University of Adelaide students explore Asia through New Colombo Plan.