Where are you from, and what did you study and at which institution?
I’m from Pakistan, and I graduated with a Master of Education (Leadership and Management) from Flinders University.
Why did you choose to study in Adelaide?
In 2014, I was awarded an Australia Awards Scholarship. I looked at different universities to decide where I wanted to complete my Master's. I chose Flinders University because of the course they were offering at the time.
I was working as a school principal in the Pakistan Public Education Department, so it was closely aligned with my educational and professional goals. I wanted to complete my Master's to help me grow in my career and build my contemporary knowledge.
Adelaide always felt like home. I love the city and the people here. I’m from Islamabad, which is very similar to Adelaide; there’s some resemblance with the climate, geography, and landscape.
As part of my scholarship, it was a mandatory requirement to go home and work in Pakistan after completing my studies. I worked in the Department of Education for 5 years in the public sector, but I knew I wanted to come back to Adelaide.
What was your journey like studying at Flinders University?
I loved studying at Flinders and developed great relationships with my lecturers, who are now very good friends.
When I look back at my experience, everything is very positive. The learning environment they provided was very interactive, welcoming, and it was an inclusive classroom experience. It really helped me understand my own potential.
There was a space encouraging you to bring original, creative ideas, which was one of the reasons I loved my learning and enjoyed my study journey.
The support from the International Student Support Services was warm and welcoming; they even took care to stay connected while I was back in Pakistan.
The team encouraged me to apply for the StudyAdelaide International Student Awards, and I received the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award. It was a wonderful experience to receive that acknowledgement; it kept me motivated to go further and gave me more confidence in what I could achieve.
Learn more about Saadia’s story below: