By Reet Mahajan

I came to UNSW in T3 2025. I am an international student. A transfer student, so I was already in the third year of my undergraduate degree. It was as if I had to leave behind a well-established life in my home country and adjust to a completely different one, where I faced cultural, language, and other barriers.

The one good thing I did (instead of moping in my room) was attend a coastal walk (Coogee to Bondi) with AGT. Initially, I was so quiet. I was nervous about meeting people or talking to anyone, lest they find me unlikable because of my linguistic limitations. I didn’t think I would end up making my first-ever friends on this walk. I didn’t remember much of how hard the walk was or what the weather was like. All I knew was I was around people who were talking to me and accepting me, as me.

It was finally a weekend; I actually had fun.

Then, like most good students at UNSW, next weekend I just stayed in my room and cried about my lack of a social life. I didn’t go to any other events because I just wanted to bask in FOMO. And then the term ended. I went back to my home country, totally drained from exams, wondering how I could do anything.

It’s a good time to mention that I am doing Computer Engineering and that I feel really behind on everything. All this shift to a new country and a new education system has been tremendous. I really wanted to throw the rag and stay back home.

But then I might have just done another good thing in my life. I started to doomscroll the Arc website one night.

Why did I do that, you might ask? It’s honestly a mystery to me. Maybe it called out to me. But I am glad I answered that call, found out about volunteering, and applied for the AGT General Volunteer role.

Now, mind you, my self-confidence was very low. I was getting a lot of “nos” from various companies. I was accepting a “no” from AGT, too. I was shocked to see that I had been invited to an online interview. After celebrating, I decided to lock in for the interview. I stalked AGT and all its events and woke up early on the day of the interview.

It was an hour-long, and I was totally nervous, but I put on my best confident face. At the end of the interview, Arlen, the program officer, said they recruit very few volunteers, and we shouldn’t feel bad about rejection, as it doesn’t reflect our abilities but is just a count restriction. I was sure it was just her sweet way of saying no to me.

But voilà, lo and behold, days later, I got the acceptance email. I might have celebrated as if I had just gotten into the biggest tech company. And yes, AGT, as a volunteer, is my big-shot company because of some things money can’t buy—the sense of belonging.

As a General Volunteer, I made friends. Not only did we hang out because of AGT, but also on our own. I got my very first girl gang to hang out with and have fun. I loved having my Saturdays planned out. I just had to show up at the venue, chew on my sandwich as the senior volunteers explained the day. I just had to walk down scenic routes, talk with attendees, make friends, explore Sydney and gain AHEGS along the way. It was the greatest win of my Term 1, 2026.

When that term ended, I was finally able to see AGT’s impact on every student, especially those, like me, who are international students navigating many insecurities. So, I knew that in T2 2026 I would up my game and take more responsibility as a Senior Volunteer at AGT.

I now know the food doesn’t magically appear, a secret agent does not plan the events, and elves do not make the cool badges. As a senior, my duties have increased, but each day I feel more purposeful and connected to this thing. I am gaining experience in event planning and execution. All these soft skills add value not only to my resume but also to the way I carry myself.

I feel happier whenever I enter uni. A difficult tutorial or tough exam? Yet when I get out of that room, I have a community to chat with about different things. AGT helps me touch grass and connect to society. It helps me be more social and more human.

Volunteering is indeed a must in student life. If you're thinking about clicking that 'apply now' button, I assure you it would be worth it. So, fill out the application and present yourself openly in the interview. Join us for Side Quest Saturdays (Sidequests each Saturday) and Week of Wonders, awesome adventures in Week 6. Join for a taste of trips and leave with memories going beyond your phone’s gallery—an experience that connects you to friends for life and a sense of belonging.