Degree: Bachelor of Computer Science (Machine Learning)
Who or what made you choose to study this?
Honestly, it started with something most of us take for granted: the autocomplete in a search bar. I used to wonder how a machine could predict exactly what I was about to type. Once I started looking into it, I realised just how incredibly complex it is underneath: ranking algorithms, probability models, billions of variables working in real time. That curiosity never left me. The AI boom made me even more certain. We are living through one of the most exciting technological shifts in human history, and I want to be someone who helps build it, not just someone who watches it happen.
How did you find out about UQ?
I found UQ through online research and global university rankings, but what sealed the deal wasn't just the numbers. Brisbane felt different from other Australian cities. It has this energy that feels open and explorable rather than overwhelming. Unlike Sydney or Melbourne, which can feel relentless, Brisbane and the areas around it gave me the feeling of a city that still has room for you to breathe and grow. For someone who loves discovering new places, that mattered a lot.
What kinds of things did you want to know when you were choosing what university to go to?
Coming from India, my checklist looked a little different from most. I wanted to know about the academic reputation and where the university stood globally in my field, but I also had very practical questions. What is the city actually like to live in? Will I feel welcome as an international student? Is there a real community here or will I just be a number? Beyond that, I wanted to understand what opportunities existed outside the classroom, because I always knew that university was about more than just a degree. Looking back, UQ ticked every single one of those boxes.
Why did you choose to study at UQ?
UQ's rankings and academic reputation in computer science were a strong pull, but what genuinely surprised me was the campus itself. St Lucia is stunning. It doesn't feel like a university campus so much as a place you actually want to be. There's a calm and a beauty to it that I didn't expect. Combine that with world-class faculty, strong industry connections, and a community of driven students from all over the world, and it felt like the right place to build the next chapter of my life.
What are your favourite facilities and resources available to you at UQ?
The St Lucia campus itself is a resource. I genuinely love just being there: the Great Court, the greenery, the architecture. There is something about the environment that puts you in the right headspace to think big. When your surroundings inspire you, studying doesn't feel like a chore.
Have you been able to have practical experiences within your degree (e.g. work experience, industry projects etc.)? If so, please provide some highlights.
What’s been your favourite course so far and why?
Without a doubt, MATH1061: Discrete Mathematics, taught by Professor Masoud Kamgarpour. I won't lie, it was tough at the start. The concepts felt abstract and unlike anything I had studied before. But somewhere along the way it just clicked, and now I find it genuinely fascinating. A lot of that comes down to Professor Kamgarpour. He has this rare ability to make complex ideas feel exciting rather than intimidating. His lectures are engaging, his explanations are clear, and you can tell he actually loves what he teaches. That kind of energy is contagious. If you ever get the chance to take a course with him, don't think twice
Highlights of your past year at UQ
Being in first year, every week has felt like a highlight in its own way. The biggest win has been stepping out of my comfort zone as an international student and throwing myself into university life. Taking on an executive role in the FinTech Society early on was a turning point. It pushed me to connect with people, take on real responsibility, and prove to myself that I belonged here just as much as anyone else.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering studying at UQ, what would that be?
Don't wait until you feel settled to start participating. Join a society in your first week, go to events even when you don't know anyone, and talk to the person sitting next to you in your first lecture. University shapes you far more through the experiences you choose than the courses you take. At UQ, the opportunities are everywhere. You just have to reach for them.
What do you hope to do when you graduate?
That's something I think about a lot. The honest answer is that Computer Science opens so many doors it can be hard to choose just one. I'm drawn to quantitative research, software engineering at a top tech company, and even the idea of building something of my own one day. What I do know is that I want to be at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and real-world impact, whatever form that takes.
Did you achieve the initial ATAR you wanted to get into your chosen program? If not, tell us a bit about your journey as to how you got into the degree you are studying now.
As an international student, my pathway to UQ was through a different system entirely: India's board exams rather than the ATAR. Navigating a completely different academic framework and then transitioning to an Australian university required a lot of research, resilience, and trust in the process. If you're an international student reading this and wondering whether it's all worth it, it absolutely is.
