risbane's newest Australian citizen wants to contribute towards Australia's multiculturalism.
Hailing from the small town of Vadnaga in the Indian state of Gujarat, Ekta came to Australia to study a masters degree in education at Griffith University 2011. Since then she has enjoyed Australian culture and way of life so much that she moved here after completing her education.
Source: Supplied Ekta
Australian journey
Ekta Nayak's Australian journey began with a shock. She says her education agent did not inform her that her admission was conditional.
"I came to Australia on a student visa to study a masters in education. However, my agent did not inform me that it was a conditional letter, I had to get eight bands in each module to continue with the course."
Ekta says she was stressed and did not know what to do. She decided to speak to the principal and explain her situation. "The principal was a very genuine person, and I got a refund of my fees and also a letter to allow me to change my course," says Ekta. She then enrolled herself in a Diploma in IT course and also registered for a Bachelor degree, but she could not finish.
Ekta faced a similar struggle during her settlement period that many international students and new migrants face.
Source: Supplied Ekta
"I did not get any work for quite some time," she says. "I am the only child of my parents, and my father wanted to see me in a white-collar job - expecting me to do something different and great. At that time cleaning jobs were readily available, but I did not want to do that. "
She says her friends also tried to help her get work. She applied for many jobs including a telecaller, marketing, call centre representative, and customer service executive. When one of her friends suggested Ekta for employment at fast food chain, Subway, she did. She joined as a casual in 2011, and now works there as a manager.
My future - our future is here
Ekta says she firmly believes that Australia is a lucky country. She and her husband Mehul knew each other when they were in Gujarat. Mehul helped Ekta during her settlement and educational struggles. They fell in love, and in 2012 Mehul proposed to her, but they both had to convince their parents before they got married.
After getting married Ekta applied for a Partner Visa, she was working full time at Subway, and in 2017, Ekta and Mehul welcomed their first child a baby girl Diva.
Ekta says she wasn't sure if she wanted to become an Australian citizen and leave her Indian citizenship.
"I did not want to give away my Indian passport, so I was just postponing my application to be an Australian Citizen. When Diva was born, I thought she is an Australian citizen, Mehul is an Australian citizen, and now my future - our future is here... so we decided to apply."
" I did not want to give away my Indian passport, so I was just postponing my application to be an Australian Citizen. When Diva was born, I thought she is an Australian citizen, Mehul is an Australian citizen, and now my future - our future is here... so we decided to apply."
Ekta had to change her plan, following the announcement of a change in the citizenship application process. Ekta thought she had to face an English test "but I was surprised to know that the Government postponed their decision, the new requirements for citizenship was to come into effect from July 1st 2018,"
So, Ekta applied for the citizenship in January 2018, took the test, and received her Australian citizenship on 16th September 2018.
Delighted to be a part of my Aussie nest
Ekta says, " My father wanted to give me a weapon of education, so I decided to come to Australia, and another reason was I have learnt the importance of financial independence and financial security. "
Ekta says that she had seen financial crises when she was growing up. She says her father sacrificed a lot for her education. After that, she says she decided to earn enough money so she and her family need not face the same again. Australia gave that opportunity to her, she says.
Ekta says, " Australia is a land where you are free to be whomever you want to be, you can do whatever you like in your way. No one judges you by your position or title or work, here people respect you for the person you are. Its a big country gives you the freedom to travel, meet interesting people from all around the world - discover different places and different cultures all in one country. Australians support you and help you wherever and in whatever way they can."
"In Australia, if you do anything useful, people will encourage you to continue and grow," she adds.
Ekta also writes for local magazine and newspapers; she has just bought her new house. Ekta also does volunteering with different organisations.
Ekta and her husband are planning to buy a business soon.
Source: Supplied by Danyal Syed
In the end, Ekta says, "India's in my heart but now I'm a proud Australian citizen."
