Coming to Australia was never planned. I only wanted to go to a place where social work was
respected and paid well. However, the COVID-19 pandemic made sure the countries on my priority
list stayed shut for a long time and I was longing to get out. So, when my application for master’s in
social work at the University of Wollongong got accepted, I started packing immediately.

Studying social work was not what I expected it to be. Since the beginning of my course, I was
pushed into doing groundwork and understanding what it would mean to become a social worker.
On top of that, I had assignments, chores and work. While fun in the beginning, the overwhelming
burdens on top of a demanding course burnt me out. I just couldn’t live alone, work and give time for
my 500-hour groundwork every semester.

If not the only, the primary reason that kept me going was seeing the need for people like me.

Every country has its own problems. As social workers, we see that aspect closely. Housing and rising
cost of living are the biggest problems in Australia right now. I come across people every day who
would have lived comfortably with their finances a decade ago but need to apply for social housing.
Seeing good and hardworking individuals unable to afford even the most basic necessities is truly
heartbreaking. This field requires perseverance and passion, you cannot survive here without them.

I eventually got a job at [@MCCI] and now help provide housing and necessities to refugees and
others who need it.

The best part about my work is the sheer amount of inspirational people I meet daily. Everyday,
there’s either a person or an incident that pushes you to do better and make more lives happy. I
expected the situation to be better in a first-world nation like Australia but now that I see it isn’t, I
know I must do my part in making it so.

Things need to change. NOW.
If you are willing to make this change happen, reach out me.