Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Optometry.

I completed my Optometry degree from India in 2017. After the completion of my undergraduate degree I worked for a while in Nepal and I was also involved in the eye camps organised in Nepal by Eyes4Everest. I flew to Australia last year to study Master of Optometry at UNSW.

I come from a very small village in the mountain region of Nepal and the people there still do not have access to proper health services. This was the reason that I always wanted to contribute to the health sector there. Since there was not even a single optometrist in my hometown, I decided to study optometry so that I could provide  eye care services for them.

Tell us about your typical day of studying and working.

Being an international student in Australia, it was a bit challenging for me to balance my work and study in the beginning. But time has taught me this and now I find it ok. I work 3 days a week and the rest of the time, I study.

What do you miss most about Nepal? What do you love most about Australia?

I miss my family. I have never been away from home for such a long time. When I was in India, I still used to visit them every 3-4 months. But after coming here it has nearly been two years since I last saw them. Though I often talk to them through  video chat I still miss their presence.

I like everything about Australia. Everything is easily accessible and organised here which has made life easier. I also enjoy going to the beaches during my days off.

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

Once I finish my degree here, I plan to go back to Nepal and start working there. My dream is to open a practice there. Starting from a small practice in my hometown, I want to expand it to  other remote areas as well.  I especially want to work in small villages where people are still unaware of the advancement of technology. 

Working in a peaceful environment that is very far from the city of chaos is something that I am looking forward to.

What keeps you sane outside of your work life? Do you have any hobbies or passions you pursue?

When I am a bit stressed with work and study, I talk to my family and I like sharing everything with them. I consider this as my therapy.

When I was at school, I used to play basketball and I wanted to continue playing,  but due to some circumstances, I stopped playing. At the moment, I have started being more conscious about my  fitness and I have started learning boxing. I would not say it is my passion, but I enjoy boxing.

What advice would you give to other optometrists, who may be in a similar position to you or are striving to be in your position?

Well, I am not sure if I have still achieved that position where I can advise people. But from my experiences, I would say not to give up on your dreams. There might be some difficult times where you want to quit but in the end, they are just a part of the journey to your dream. Be positive and just keep doing what makes you happy.