ALEMA Edu Fair: Everything you need to know about studying in Australia and abroad

KATHMANDU, Dec 8: A Little Education Migration Agency, (ALEMA), founded by Dale Ann Shrestha, australia-based psychologist and mental health worker with an objective of helping every student willing to study abroad as their own family members is organizing an education fair this Saturday. 

The event will be hosted at Embassy Restaurant, Lazimpat in Kathmandu from 11 AM to 4 PM on December 10.

Ratopati recently talked with Dale, director of the Australian Branch of ALEMA about the education fair. Here is what she has to say:

How is ALEMA different from other education consultancy in Kathmandu?

These days there are so many education consultancies not only in Kathmandu but also in Australia. ALEMA is different because our goal is simply to make sure that students' needs are given the top most priority which sometimes might not be the best financial decision for us. We get lots of students coming in and saying that they are choosing that particular subject because their family wants it and when they get to Australia, they don't understand the course and seem lost. As a psychologist, that's where I come in and help them and make sure that their needs are met from the very beginning. Also, when they arrive in Australia, we make sure that if they have trouble adjusting, then we put them with someone who can help them. We guarantee support there.

What about university affiliations?

We are a new business. At the moment we have affiliations with five to six different colleges in Perth. We are also working with different consulting agencies to make sure if one of those colleges is best for our students, we will put them with who they need. So, together with our resources we can access any universities or colleges in Australia.

Is it only a student visa for which you consult?

We generally do all sorts of visas but dominantly student visas. There are all visas that we can explore.

What is the Education Fair about?

The key motive of the fair is to provide awareness of the company and its offers. Besides, it is a one stop for people who need the information on what to do next if they are planning to go abroad for study and give them options. And, most importantly to make students understand that if they just come and have a chat with us, our team goal is to make sure that we make it easier.

As a consultant and psychologist, what do you think is the hardest challenge for the students when they are abroad?

When the students are far from their homes in a new and big country like Australia, cross culture adjustment, homesickness and depression are the hardest challenges to face. They usually feel alone and feel that they have no one to talk to. That's when we came in. 

How hard is it to achieve a bright, beautiful and lovely Aussie life in Australia as a foreign student?

I am not going to lie. It is hard but very much achievable. Cost of living is higher in Australia than Nepal but one can surely earn more money. But, you have to put a lot of hard work into it.

Any suggestions to students looking forward to studying abroad?

Get started early.

Is there anything you want to add?

If interested, feel free to have a chat with us. Our office is based at Oscar Restaurant at Panipokhari, Kathmandu.