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When Antra Johri stood on stage to receive her Bachelor of Business (Marketing) degree, it wasn’t just the end of a chapter—it was the fulfilment of a dream that once felt out of reach. 

Antra grew up in Haridwar, a small and spiritual city nestled in northern India. Life wasn’t always easy. Her father passed away when she was just ten years old, leaving her mother to raise three children alone—one of whom, Antra’s older brother, lives with severe autism. But through hardship came strength. 

Her mother, once a full-time homemaker, stepped into a new role as the founder of Hakuna Matata, an NGO dedicated to helping families with children who have special needs. In a community where disability was often hidden away, Antra’s mum created a space where families could learn, connect, and feel proud of their children. She retrained in occupational therapy and, within a few years, had supported over a thousand parents and children in their city. 

_{Antra celebrates her graduation with her mum.}

“Watching my mum build something from nothing taught me the power of education, courage, and passion,” says Antra. “She never had the chance to go to university, but she made sure I did. And not just my mum - my elder sister supported me throughout this journey too.” 

Antra helped with the NGO too—taking photos, running social media, building awareness—and it was through this work that her love for creativity started to blossom. 

But the dream to study overseas felt far-fetched. “Growing up, it just didn’t seem possible,” she admits. “No one in my family had done it. It felt like a distant idea.” 

Then came a chance to have a conversation with the GOAP team about the pathway to UOW. They talked about options for studying abroad and introduced her to UOW through the Global Online Accelerator Program (GOAP) program. Antra enrolled in a few short modules online—and it changed everything. 

“I still remember the day I got the call from the GOAP team. They explained the pathway to UOW, and for the first time, it felt like something I could actually do.” 

She loved the course. The classes were small, the teachers were supportive, and the experience gave her a sense of what studying in Australia would be like. “I made friends in that online course that I still talk to now,” she says. 

After completing the program, she made the big move to ¾«¶«´«Ã½ in early 2022 and started at , fast-tracking her in just seven months. From there, she entered directly into the second year of the Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing. 

Moving countries at 17 wasn’t easy. There were cultural adjustments, academic expectations, and the challenge of building a new support system from scratch. 

“I think the hardest part was just finding my place,” Antra says. “But UOW made it easier. The clubs, the support teams, the lecturers—everyone was so welcoming. From academic staff to student services, I always felt like there were people around who genuinely cared and wanted to help me succeed.” 

Determined to embrace everything uni life had to offer, Antra jumped in feet first. She joined UOW Pulse, participated in creative workshops, and started a photography club. One of her most memorable moments was performing an Indian classical dance at a UOW talent show. “It felt so good to share a piece of my culture with others,” she says. 

She also began to find her rhythm in the marketing world. Her classes, particularly a campaign project run by Dr Mercedez Hinchcliff, gave her hands-on experience that brought theory to life. 

“We developed a full marketing strategy for a local business. We even pitched it to the owner. It taught me about teamwork, meeting deadlines, and thinking strategically.” 

She also studied sports marketing, where she and her classmates toured WIN Stadium, met with the media team, and learned what it’s like to work in the sports industry behind the scenes. 

Alongside her studies, Antra volunteered for organisations like the Cancer Council and worked with various clubs and nonprofits to build digital content. Eventually, her dedication paid off. She landed a casual role as a Student Representative and has since grown into the position of Communications and Digital Marketing Officer with UOW College. 

“I manage social media content, assist with campaigns and events, and support photography projects,” she explains. “It’s been the perfect blend of everything I love—storytelling, creativity, and community.” 

Antra’s ambition doesn’t stop at her bachelor’s degree. She recently completed a short online course in Brand Management with the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of London and hopes to one day pursue a Master’s or even an MBA. 

“For now, I want to keep learning, keep growing in the marketing space, and contribute creatively wherever I can. I’ve also started my own photography business on the side, and that’s something I’d love to keep building.” 

But graduation is still a big moment. Her mother flew in from India to attend the ceremony—a full-circle moment for them both. 

“It’s incredibly special,” Antra says. “I want her to see the life I’ve built here, meet the amazing people I’ve worked and studied with, and be proud.” 

As for her advice to other international students? 

“You don’t have to have everything figured out. Just be curious, say hi to someone new, ask questions in class. The support and opportunities are here—you just have to reach for them.”