International students have been the forefront of uncertainty during the pandemic. During these times, finishing a Doctoral degree requires grit, sanity and determination.

On that note, our guest- Dr Eshan Arya was born in Mumbai and has been living in Australia since 2008, He has travelled, lived, studied, and worked across 12 countries and on merchant navy ships.

Eshan has a PhD (Pol), M. International Relations with honours & 2 LTU Gold awards, B. Econ with 2 dean’s commendation awards, a Dip. Bus Admin with 3 achievement awards, & a 6 Dan Black Belt.

On Dec 13th, 2021, he started as a full-time permanent Residential Life Manager with Little Hall and University Apartments of the University of Melbourne. Additionally, I work as Trainer and Coach with SparkMe, economics HOD with RL, Policy and Course developer, Director of a think tank he founded called Ich Ne San, an associate with Alexandria Agenda and Conversations at Crossroads, a Sessional Lecturer for La Trobe MBA (won 2018 best Lecturer award) and an Economics tutor for Ormond College, UoM.

In Australia, as an ALLY academic with over 9 relevant certifications, Eshan has taught over 12,000 students across 150 countries, won the best lecturer award, written 45 news articles, published a book on the Sea Piracy in Somalia, created 110 academic YouTube Videos, and Spotify Podcasts. Eshan has won community awards & appeared in media for volunteering and creating programs to tackle racism, domestic violence, bystander action, youth at risk, isolated int students, & issues of students of refugee backgrounds. He served as a member on LTU academic board, int strategy committee & academic quality committee. I then worked as a director at Muskaan Support Aus. aiming to fund the construction of a school for slum children in Bhopal. Eshan was a co-founder of student politics ticket & also started my own radio show and four multicultural clubs. He has won multiple annual awards as a RA and RA Coordinator, ISA president, & PG officer of LTSU. I have also served as a sports manager & karate coach at SARA, & as an invigilator-interlocutor with OET.

Please have a listen to Eshan's journey and feel inspired by his grit, mettle and positive mindset.

Produced by Chris Mallika Bhadra. You can find more of Chris's media projects at:

• Coconut Chats YouTube and Instagram
• Durdeshe Bangla YouTube and Instagram
• Ananda Dance Group YouTube and Instagram

Intro and outro music by Gregor Quendel under a Creative Commons Attribution licence

3ZZZ Stories of Community Resilience is proudly supported by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

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