‘Brisbane, a student-friendly city with amazing people’
Shortly after her arrival at the University of Queensland on an Australian Development Scholarship for the development practice postgraduate programme, Khan was appointed the city’s International Student Ambassador for the year.
As the student ambassador, she helps prospective students looking to gain an Australian education, particularly ones in Brisbane. The role involves sharing her journey, using a variety of social media tools, with current and prospective international students and inspiring them to experience the lucrative possibilities studying at Brisbane would afford them.
“I understand that arriving in a new country or city can be a daunting challenge for Pakistani students; I hope to guide them and help them in making informed decisions about their future,” she said in an emailed correspondence with The Express Tribune.
Khan, along with 28 other international students representing 23 countries, was given the position by Mayor of Brisbane Graham Quirk during an official ceremony. “Education is our largest export and these keen, enthusiastic students are ideally placed to promote Brisbane as a leading student destination in their home countries,” he said during the ceremony.
To meet her responsibilities, Sherin said she has documented an international student’s life through social media channels and more mainstream activities like media interviews, seminars, events and meeting official visiting delegates to Brisbane.
About her experience in Australia, Sherin said, “I continue to be amazed by the warmth of the people, their cheerfulness and how they are always willing to help.”
In just two months, she said she has gathered a cosmopolitan group of friends from Australia, Latin America, India, Africa, China, Bangladesh and other countries. “One learns to celebrate and revel in the cultural differences,” she added.
On the completion of her degree, she plans to return to Pakistan to work on long-term sustainable projects empowering women and children.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2012.
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