Malaysian-born Harpreet never thought she would end up living on the southernmost island in Australia. Moving with her family from Malaysia in 2005, the budding legal eagle saw endless possibilities in the country she now calls home.

“Moving to Australia was wonderful. There was a real sense that I could do and achieve anything I wanted to pursue.”

After spending about two years in Melbourne, it wasn’t until she began her combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degree at university that she felt her work-life balance was suffering.

“After around three months I realised the balance just wasn’t there. I was struggling to find time to study after adding work and socialising into the mix. I was travelling more than an hour each way to get to university and in the end my grades started to slip.”

Her desire to find somewhere affordable and without the constraints of travel led her to take a look at study options in Tasmania. After searching online, she knew that the University of Tasmania offered everything she was after.

“I could see that the law school was smaller and it had a better reputation. It provided easier access to the campus, the ability to meet one-on-one with lecturers and a better environment to support me to study, so I just knew I had to make the move.”

Packing up her belongings, Harpreet moved to Hobart in what she says was the best decision she’s made to date.

Harpreet Gill. Photo credit: Department of State Growth

“I love it here in Hobart. When I was studying the balance was great. I had plenty of time to study and work part-time as well as ample time to socialise – I even managed to spend some time volunteering and doing internships – something I don’t think I could have ever managed in Melbourne.”

And even though her initial plan was just to study here, Harpreet says she fell in love with the community and the unique work and lifestyle opportunities that Tasmania has to offer.

“I was able to gain employment right after I finished studying. I worked in a law firm for a couple of years before being offered a job with the State Government.

The possibilities to grow and develop my career right here in the State is wonderful, and something I feel I couldn’t have achieved as easily in Melbourne. Just recently, as part of my professional development, I was selected to attend the Young Diplomats Forum held in Malaysia in September 2018.

I’ve also built up a really strong connection with my local community, and a great friendship base – I’m so glad I made the move to Tasmania.”

Are you interested in making a move? Make it Tasmania.

Find out more about migration pathways and Tasmania’s education system.

If you’re considering studying in Tasmania, visit the University of Tasmania or TasTAFE websites to see what’s on offer, or to explore employment opportunities within the Tasmanian Government, visit the jobs website.