It can be difficult to be an optimist when most of us are in our home and in front of our screen for the past two months. Our momentum stopped and future plans were postponed indefinitely.
So Meld Magazine talked to three speakers at Future Founders Festival to give you some tips and boost in facing uncertain times.
Our third Q&A goes to Devarshi Desai, owner of the YouTube channel Internash, International Student’s top destination to find information on their education here in Australia. With over 4 million views so far, The Monash University graduate aims for Internash to be the number one digital platform for International Students in Australia.
Clear vision and a sense of purpose. Unexpected life events are unavoidable. If you have a vision (What you want to achieve) and a sense of purpose (Why you want to achieve that), it will help you get up in the morning no matter what.
Q: Tell us what’s the most enjoyable part of what you do!
There are two things that I absolutely love. Creating content and solving problems. My work involves creating content that solves some problem or adds some value to international student’s lives. That is the most enjoyable part of what I do.
Q: How do you keep driving yourself towards your career goals when an unexpected life event happens?
Clear vision and a sense of purpose. Unexpected life events are unavoidable. If you have a vision (What you want to achieve) and a sense of purpose (Why you want to achieve that), it will help you get up in the morning no matter what.
Q: Have you faced any obstacle challenges because of your background as an international student?
International student entrepreneurs will have to work ten times compared to anybody else. We have to attend university classes, do a part-time job, manage our assignments, and above everything else we have a passion to solve a problem. It is going to be VERY HARD but keep at it, someday you’ll be grateful for all the work you have put in.
Q:What sort of opportunities do you think COVID-19 has opened up for international who want to be entrepreneurs?
COVID-19 has presented us with problems that we have never faced before. With new problems come new opportunities. Having first-hand experience of facing new challenges and growing up with the developing technology, I believe international students are the best equipped to solve these problems.
Q:What three pieces of advice can you give for us?
Develop a sense of purpose for whatever you want to do. It will help you stay on track and achieve great things.
Q:How has your experience as an international student impacted your decision to be an entrepreneur?
Internash is a media company that creates content for international students. This was not possible unless I went through the experience of being an international student in Australia. It helped me face the problem first hand and gave me the motivation to solve those problems for other international students.
Q: What are you looking forward to at the Future Founders Festival? And what Ideas to you hope to come from the participants.
I am looking forward to hearing stories from other international students and migrants who are doing exceptional things and solving massive problems.
Q: Why do you think it’s important for International students to tune in to the Future Founders Festival and StartSpace?
The easiest way to grow as a person is to learn from others and avoid the mistakes they made. Future Founders Festival is an opportunity for international students to know many different stories and learn from them.
Want to see more of Devarshi Desai? Sign up for Future Founders Festival, a FREE five day hackaton and digital startup event from 23-27th of September, for international student innovator, founder and entrepreneur. Meet, connect and pitch your ideas to business owners, experts and investors! Checkout their list of speakers and events at StartSpace