Staff Spotlight: Shivani Rajan

Shivani is a graduate of AUT and spent part of her degree studying abroad in Wales, United Kingdom. Her time abroad introduced her to a passion for international education. She is excited to be on the other side now, welcoming international students to her University and hometown.

I'm grateful that a lot of memories pop up with this question, however, a standout would have to be in 2015. My best friend lives in London, and one day during my time there, we got off the tube. She told me to close my eyes, walked me up the steps, and she didn't let me see until I was standing opposite the Palace of Westminster!

It was much bigger than I thought, and a lot grander! I thought about the many times I had seen this place on TV, movies, or in photos, and it felt surreal for me to be the one standing right outside something so beautiful. Selfies with Big Ben was a massive bonus, too!

I only started working for AUT at the start of this year but already I have grown more love and passion for international education. Every day, I work with students who thrive to be outside of their comfort zone and embrace new adventures, and this inspires me too. International students bring their fresh ways of thinking and introduce me to their cultures, so I am always learning as well (which I love!).

AUT is full of passionate and hardworking staff. We want to ensure that all students have a great experience while studying here and create amazing memories to take back home when they leave NZ. We're more than happy to share our country with incoming students, offer recommendations, and especially immerse our students with the Maori culture.

Although there are many values that help to create a successful company, I believe hard work and passion are integral. A lot of other skills can be learnt over time, but working hard and having a love for what you do can make all the difference, especially when dealing with a diverse range of people such as international students.