Former Student, Current Staff Member

Imagine being young, leaving home for the first time and travelling across the globe to get the education your parents never had. This is the story of Rheea Busawon, a young girl from Mauritius who came to Melbourne to obtain a higher education as an international student.

Although it’s been a long journey for Rheea, it has been worthwhile. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from Box Hill Institute in 2018, Rheea achieved her first corporate job, in Box Hill Institute’s Finance department as a graduate accountant in 2019.

Rheea has worked hard work to achieve her success, from volunteering as a student ambassador for the International department and Marketing department to working in the Box Hill Institute cafeteria to help pay for tuition fees. She also became a causal administrator for the Student Enrolment team to get a better understanding the business.

After graduating, Rheea saw an ad for a graduate accountant role in Box Hill Institute’s Finance team. She said, “I was lucky enough to get the first corporate job I applied for.”

Rheea believes her course equipped her with the skills to successfully pursue a career as and account. She said, “The business presentations and work placement gave me an early taste of the corporate world and current students at Box Hill Institute are given the golden opportunity to join the Finance team as interns during their studies.” 

Being the youngest one in the team, Rheea expected her job to be difficult but after a year, she feels like she has always been part of the team and has definitely learnt something from everyone. She said, “I have no words to explain the support and encouragement I get from Matt Graver (Director Finance) and Dzemala Letic (Finance Operations Manager).” She also expressed her gratitude to Faye Glenis, not only a colleague but a mentor with abundant experience. She is as Rheea’s go-to person.

Another of Rheea’s mentors is the Director of Higher Education, Dr Farinoush Farhadieh. She said, “My idol is actually my mentor, Dr Farinoush Farhadieh, who has been by my side every step throughout my study journey. From day one, I wanted to be strong, professional and, most important, as humble as she is and how well she treats everyone and make them feel valued.”

Rheea is currently enrolled in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, which she’ll study while working full time for Finance. Later this year she will study to become a Chartered Accountant. “Some people call me crazy but I enjoy learning and trying new stuff,” she said. “I am also very excited to be appointed as the Mentor for the new International Ambassador program hoping to make others’ journey at Box Hill Institute as memorable and happy as mine.”

One of Rheea’s biggest inspiration is her mother who didn’t get the chance to have an education. She said, “I saw my mother crying so many times because her parents could not afford to give her the best education so I dedicate all my academic awards to my mother for working so hard to send me to Australia to study and hopefully she smiles looking at them now.”