After a chance meeting in their first week at university, two international students have ridden the rollercoaster of COVID-19 and recently crossed the graduation stage as lifelong friends.
Maisha Zuhair, from the Maldives, and Andra Dinu, Romania, decided to remain in Australia when the international borders shut in early 2020 to continue their Master of Business Administration course.
"We have supported each other through every unit and life's ups and downs – which has only made our friendship stronger," Andra said.
Separated from family
When Andra and her two boys arrived in Perth from Romania in 2019, the plan was for her husband to follow only a few months later.
"It was a big transition. We did not know anyone in Perth," Andra said.
Those few months transformed into more than a year-long wait due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"My biggest challenge was suddenly becoming a single parent of two teenagers, on another continent and studying in another language."
She credits her network of family overseas, friends and ECU staff for supporting her while balancing full-time study, work, volunteering and caring for her children.
Determination to succeed
While Maisha travelled with her husband to study in Australia, she too found the separation from family challenging.
"Not being able to fly home to see family has definitely been hard," Maisha said.
While studying, she juggled three part-time jobs, three volunteer roles, and an internship.
"My degree taught me to step outside my comfort zone. Studying overseas during COVID-19 wasn't easy, but I learnt to adapt well to change."
Since studying and also working together in the ECU Women in Business Club executive team, the two friends have both found ongoing employment in their fields.
Maisha is now a Client Consultant at Australia's leading school management software company, Compass Education.
Andra works as the Manager Community and Disability Services at Paediatric Nursing Services, where she contributes to the development of social inclusion programs, accommodation, and daily living activities for children with disabilities.
She also continues to volunteer at the Be Inspired Foundation.
Their outstanding commitment to not only study, but contributing to the wider community, saw Maisha recently win ECU’s prestigious Contribution to University Life award at the 2021 Vice-Chancellor’s Student Awards. Andra was also recognised, receiving a Special Commendation for Engagement.
For more information about the benefits of ECU's alumni network, visit the Alumni webpages.
