From India to Melbourne as a Deakin Student: Muskaan’s Story, in her Own Words

Do you plan to study abroad soon? Here is a student experiential story which covers everything you need to know. We are in conversation with Muskaan Jubbal, who got into Deakin (Melbourne) from India recently. 

If you try to summarise Muskaan Jubbal’s journey in one line, it might sound familiar, an Indian student moves abroad, pursues business, builds a career. But that version misses almost everything that actually matters. Because Muskaan was never someone who did things the typical way while studying in Australia. 

She grew up in Delhi, in a space where ambition is almost expected. But instead of picking a straight, predictable path, she built something more layered. School was one part of her life and motorsports was another. And not casually. Seriously. Competitively.

While most students were figuring out exams and college plans, she was also travelling, competing, winning and dealing with the kind of physical and mental setbacks that come with it.

Now she’s in Melbourne, studying Business at Deakin University on a full scholarship. But if you ask her, the story isn’t really about getting there. It’s about everything she figured out along the way. This experiential story can influence the decisions of many who are sceptical about studying abroad in 2026.

Student Experiential Story - Muskaan Jubbal

In this conversation, Muskaan shares her honest experiences around Deakin University admissions. She also talks about how Indian students find practical learning different from that in India. Muskaan also throws some light on student life in Melbourne, where she talks about accommodation, budgeting, and adjusting an international student in Australia.

“I didn’t want to be just one thing”

Even back in school, she didn’t like the idea of narrowing herself down too early. She studied at Shiv Nadar School and took a mix of subjects that don’t always go together - Business, Accountancy, Psychology, and Artificial Intelligence. It wasn’t about strategy back then. It was just curiosity.

“I didn’t want to pick one direction and close off everything else.”

Outside the classroom, things were moving at a completely different pace. Motorsports became a huge part of her life. Competitions across India, international events, long hours, and constant pressure. She ended up winning over 60 trophies including a gold for India at the Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship.

At one point, she had a serious leg injury, the kind that could easily end everything she’d worked for. But she came back from it. And not slowly.

“I don’t think I ever considered stopping.”

At the same time, she kept up academically with distinctions, awards, and everything. Which basically sums her up: she never really saw a reason to choose between things.

The idea of leaving home

Studying abroad wasn’t a sudden decision. It had always been there, somewhere in the background.

“I was always curious. I knew I wanted to see more. Choosing to study abroad was natural.”

But when it actually came down to deciding, it got real. Family conversations, safety concerns, practical choices, all of it. They looked at different places. The UK. Dubai. Australia. Melbourne just felt… right. Not in a dramatic way. Just in a way that made sense. And then there was one moment she still remembers.

“My counsellor told me, if I had a daughter, I’d send her to Deakin.” It wasn’t a sales pitch to take admission despite the average acceptance rate at Deakin University. It was just honest. And that stuck.

Those first few days at Deakin

Her arrival in Melbourne wasn’t smooth or cinematic. It was rushed. Deadlines were close. There wasn’t much time to settle emotionally before everything started moving. But what she remembers isn’t the stress. It’s the smaller things.

Like missing her Deakin campus tour, something that, when you’re new in a different country, actually feels like a big deal. And then a staff member taking time out of their break to give her a tour anyway.

“It sounds small, but in that moment, it felt huge and heartwarming.”

Those are the things that stay with you in a new place. Not the big milestones. The small moments where you feel like you’re not completely on your own. Now she’s settled in Box Hill, close to campus.

“At first everything feels unfamiliar. Then one day it just doesn’t.”

Learning to learn again

One of the biggest shifts wasn’t the country. It was the classroom.

“It’s very different from what we’re used to.”

Back in India, a lot of learning is about memorising, understanding theory, writing it well. At Deakin, it is more practical.

“You don’t just learn concepts. You actually use them.”

She gives an example that makes it simple -

“In school, you might study what Excel is. Here, you’re using it to solve actual business problems.”

That adjustment took time. It wasn’t instant. But it changed how she looked at studying altogether. There’s also more flexibility, fewer days on campus, more responsibility on you to manage your time.

“No one is constantly telling you what to do. You figure it out.”

For her, that worked.

Living on her own (and liking it)

For some people, moving abroad and living alone is overwhelming. For Muskaan, it wasn’t.

“I think I was always ready for it.”

She enjoys having her own space, managing her own routine, making her own decisions, even the small ones. Of course, her parents took time to adjust.

“At the beginning, they were always checking in.”

Now they don’t worry as much.

“They’ve seen that I can handle things.”

And that shift from being looked after to being trusted matters.

Meeting people, missing home

She made a decision early on not to stay only within familiar circles.

“It’s easy to just stick with people from your own background. But then you don’t really experience anything new.”

So she didn’t. She met people from different countries, different cultures, and different ways of thinking. And that, for her, is one of the biggest parts of studying abroad.

At the same time, she hasn’t completely let go of home either. She’s part of the Indian student community; she has her comfort spaces. It’s both. And then there are the small things you don’t expect to miss.

“Maggi,” she says, laughing. “It just tastes different here.”

The harder parts (because there are always some)

Not everything came naturally. Academic writing, for courses at Deakin are one of those.

“Referencing, citations. We didn’t really do that much in school.”

The first trimester wasn’t easy. It took effort to adjust to what was expected. But slowly, it started to feel normal. She also noticed everyday differences in things you don’t really think about until you see them.

“People respect people. There’s a certain civic sense.”

Something as simple as cars stopping for pedestrians stood out to her.

So, was it worth it?

If you ask Muskaan directly, she won’t give you a rehearsed answer. Because for her, the value of this experience isn’t just about the degree. It’s about everything else.

Learning how to live on your own. Handling uncertainty. Figuring things out without a clear plan. Becoming more comfortable with yourself.

“It changes you, but in small ways you don’t notice immediately.”

What Muskaan would Say to Someone Thinking about Studying Abroad?

Her advice isn’t overcomplicated.

“Just don’t stay in your comfort zone.”

That’s it. Meet people who are different from you. Try things you’re unsure about. Don’t expect yourself to have everything figured out.

“You’re allowed to take your time. That’s the point of this phase.”

And maybe that’s the most honest way to describe her journey. Not perfectly planned. Not perfectly smooth. Just real. 

Convinced about your decision to study abroad after reading Muskaan's first-hand experiences? Sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a callback from our team of experts.