Chathuri Pasqual turned her development experience into a passion for international trade.
The Master of International Business offered Chathuri an opportunity to build on her professional experience whilst gaining a broader understanding of how global businesses and economies operate.
"The course content was very much related to my interests and my work," she says.
Coming to Melbourne was also a significant personal move for Chathuri. As an Australia Awards scholar, she relocated from Sri Lanka with her four-month-old baby, adjusting to a new education system and establishing a new life for her family.
Quickly becoming involved in university life, Chathuri worked as a Student Ambassador with the Faculty of Business and Economics, contributed to University sustainability activities and volunteered with the Salvation Army.
"All these activities helped me gain friends from different countries and different age groups," she says. "They built my confidence and communication skills, and helped me understand Australian culture."
Chanthuri’s studies also gave her another perspective on the work she had been doing in Sri Lanka. Through case studies, group projects and industry-based assignments, she explored how international business concepts could be applied to contemporary business and policy challenges.
"The academic knowledge helped me with evidence-based policy formulation and encouraged me to take initiatives aimed at strengthening the export competitiveness of the country," she says.
Since returning to Sri Lanka, Chathuri has continued this work as an Assistant Director at the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, working in the Policy and Strategic Planning Division.
Her role spans policy development and initiatives supporting the sustainable growth of international trade. She also contributes to work involving the Export Development Council of Ministers and, more recently, Sri Lanka's National Export Development program.
For Chathuri, studying at Melbourne provided both the academic and international experience she had been looking for.
I gained friends from different countries, and access to world-renowned lecturers, databases, books and research.
Her advice to other international students is to make the most of the opportunities available outside their studies.
"Step outside your comfort zone and build connections with people from different backgrounds," she says. "Make the most of the opportunities and events provided by the University."