VISA Episode # 18 | A Report

VISA Report

Episode # 18

Report by: Ms. Lekhaa, M. S

Intern, Office of International Programmes

Speaker: Ms. Jeslyn from Melbourne, Australia

On the 30th of July 2025, at 7 p.m., the office of the Dean of International Programs hosted episode 18 of the Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad (VISA) program.

The speaker for the day was Ms. Jeslyn Jayaseelan, a student at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, pursuing her masters in Marketing. She is an alumnus of the Department of Commerce, Madras Christian College. 

The EmCee for the day was Ms. Lekhaa, an intern with the office of International Programs. The program began with an opening prayer by Prof. Arun Kumar, Associate Dean of International Programs (Aided). Then, Dr. Samuel Rufus, Dean of International Programs, delivered a welcome address. 

Ms. Lekhaa introduced the chief guest, Ms. Jeslyn, and handed the floor over to her. 

Ms. Jeslyn started by introducing herself and quickly mentioned what she would be talking about. 

Her journey to Australia started with her talking to her parents about finances. She considered three countries for her higher studies - US, Australia, and Ireland.

She knew she wanted to study Marketing and chose her country accordingly. She checked various factors before choosing her university - climate, Indian community, finance, and safety. 

Ms. Jeslyn applied to five colleges, but ended up selecting RMIT, because it had a good curriculum and it was situated in a good place.

She then ran through her application process, highlighting the documents she needed to submit. She also talked about an ‘autogrant VISA,’ which is a type of VISA approval in Australia where the VISA is immediately approved if all the documents are in order. 

Further, she spoke about her first days in the country, the troubles she faced, and provided strategies for new students to avoid those problems. She focused specifically on housing troubles, adapting to the city, and rewiring academically. 

Then, Ms. Jeslyn spoke about part-time jobs, highlighting that Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world, which makes it easy for students to meet their expenses. She concluded her talk by mentioning her five-year plan and outlining her expenditures and the basic financial requirements. 

The session concluded with a list of announcements about the office of International Programs and a Vote of Thanks by Ms. Lekhaa. 

VISA Meet Episode # 17 | A Report

VISA Meet – Episode No. #17

23rd July 2025

Event Report: by Ms. Aleena Johnson

[Intern, Office of International Programmes]

The seventeenth episode of the VISA Meet was successfully conducted on 23rd July 2025 via the Zoom platform.

The event featured two distinguished alumni: Mr. David Rhenius D from the Department of Physics and Mr. George John Elias from the Department of Economics.

The Master of Ceremony for the session was Ms. Rishitha, Intern at the Office of International Programmes. The session commenced with a heartfelt college prayer led by Ms. Rishitha herself, setting a warm and reflective tone for the gathering.

Dr. Samuel Rufus, Dean of International Programmes, delivered an inspiring welcome address, followed by an introduction of the guest speakers and coordination of the event by Dr. Nirmal Thyagu from the Department of Physics.

Mr. David Rhenius is currently working as a Physics teacher at Merryland International School, Abu Dhabi, while Mr. George John Elias serves as a Junior Analyst at Stratlinx Advisory, Abu Dhabi.

They spoke about the various opportunities and scopes for studying and working abroad, especially in the UAE, and shared insights on how to identify the right kind of placements. They emphasized that the UAE is emerging as one of the top destinations for both education and employment abroad, citing its demand for high-quality talent and government support for students and professionals.

They highlighted that the cost of education in the UAE is relatively lower than in many other countries and that scholarships are widely available. Moreover, they explained that the UAE's job market is highly diversified, not limited to the petroleum or oil industry.

A particular focus was given to the teaching profession in the UAE, noting that it offers excellent exposure to different cultures, attractive salaries, and good career prospects. They advised students to pursue regular degrees or a B.Ed. rather than correspondence courses, as the latter may reduce chances of securing good positions abroad.

They concluded their talk with a powerful reminder –

“Dreams are closer than we imagine — we just need to open our eyes and seek them out.”

The session ended with a lively and informative Q&A segment, moderated by Dr. Nirmal Thyagu, where participants had the opportunity to engage with the speakers and clarify their doubts. The Meet ended with the Vote of thanks by Ms. Shrestha, Intern, Office of International  Programmes. 

Key Insights on Higher Education in the USA | Interviewing Dr. Sanjay | by Ms. Shrestha

Key Insights on Higher Education in the USA

A Free-Wheeling Interview with Dr. Sanjay Purushotham, Dallas Baptist University

By Ms. Shrestha Ramesh

Program Intern, Office of International Programmes, MCC

On 24 June 2025, after a series of lectures by esteemed dignitaries in connection with the “Study Abroad Seminar” conducted by the Office of International Programmes, I had the great privilege of interviewing Dr. Sanjay Purushotham, India Liaison for International Affairs at Dallas Baptist University, Texas, US.

Having years of experience in mentoring students from diverse cultural backgrounds, he offered valuable information for students planning to study abroad.

Q: Good afternoon sir, has Chennai and our campus treated you well so far?

A: Absolutely, Shrestha. It’s been a very positive experience. I was last in Chennai before COVID, and coming back now, I see tremendous improvements — especially the metro and infrastructure. I'm very impressed with the city and its culture. 

I’ve also visited MCC before, and it’s been wonderful to return. From Dr. Wilson to Dr. Rufus and the faculty and students here, all of you have been extremely hospitable. I’m very impressed with all your warm welcome. It’s been a pleasure coming back.

Q: According to you, what are the biggest advantages for Indian students who choose to study in the US?

A: The quality of education, diversity and infrastructure for education and research are definitely some of the factors which make the United States a great place to fulfill your dreams, career wise. The ample job opportunities for students also make USA a place worth considering for anyone serious about their growth.

Q: Apart from maintaining a good academic record, what are some of the extracurricular activities students should take part in?

A: Students should aim for holistic development. It’s important to stay physically active through sports, gym, or fitness. Most campuses offer these facilities.

A healthy body supports a healthy mind. Also, students should be open to learning, not just academically, but also spiritually and culturally. Understanding yourself, others, and even learning about God can be a part of your personal growth journey.

Q: Many students believe that studying abroad is only for the affluent people or the extremely brilliant. Do you believe that an average student with a strong dream can realistically pursue it?

A: Yes, I think when there is a will and a desire to genuinely pursue higher education to make a difference in the world, that passion, somehow God will provide for it and, you know, when you're driven with that passion to be a better person, make the world a better place, I'm sure God in His providence makes it possible to pursue that dream.

Of course, it takes effort — nothing falls from the sky. You have to work hard. There will be sacrifices in the beginning, but many campuses offer part-time jobs that help manage expenses. You can work up to 20 hours a week.

Once you graduate, there are job opportunities waiting for you. If you stay focused and avoid distractions, your investment will pay off. And if you take a loan, it can be repaid once you begin working. So many campuses, I mean, offer job opportunities while you're a student.

You can work up to 20 hours a week to offset some expenses. As I said, United States students have plenty of opportunities to find jobs and so, as I said, if you work hard, opportunities will be waiting for you. If you waste your time and be idle and get into bad habits, then you're losing all the investment. So, invest in yourself, in hard work and you will not be disappointed when it all pays off.

The candid responses by Dr. Sanjay are truly inspiring and make it clear that international education isn’t just a dream for the privileged, but an opportunity for anyone willing to put in the effort.

His words highlight that beyond academics, what matters most is character, effort, and the willingness to grow.