International student Raghav Motani flew to Sydney from India only a year ago but already he is at the centre of community life both on and off campus.
Outside of studying his Master in Marketing, Raghav is one of the SOUL Award program’s most industrious students, having volunteered across six different organisations, with over four hundred volunteer hours to date.
With the cost-of-living crisis, work and school commitments, many would think volunteering would be low on the priority list. For Raghav and many socially minded university students like him, supporting communities is more than just an after-school activity.
“Volunteering is about genuinely improving people's lives, developing relationships, and bringing about constructive changes. It demands time but it's not impossible if you know its value and manage your time well.”
Raghav has gained an impressive range of experiences: a mental health first aider for Kookaburra Kids, a UTS peer networker, a Red Cross emergency and disaster community RED-iness member, a volunteer community manager for TED X Sydney and a well-being representative with Activate UTS.
Raghav (bottom row, second from the left) as Volunteer Community Manager at TED X Parramatta, one of many volunteer roles undertaken as part of the UTS SOUL program
“Every position sharpens my adaptability and understanding of community needs, both of which are essential in marketing. Not only am I learning about marketing through volunteering, but I'm also actively putting its principles into practice to have a positive impact,” Raghav says.
It doesn’t stop there, Raghav uses his position as International Collective Officer, run by UTS Students Association, to create community and connection amongst the often-isolated international student community.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Raghav says, “I faced many challenges when I arrived in Sydney: making friends, loneliness and daily expenses. I understood that if I needed to make friends, I needed to step outside of my comfort zone and have an open mind.”
Addressing these common issues facing the international student community, Raghav has transformed the international collective from an essentially disbanded group during COVID into a thriving and connected community who regularly volunteer and socialise together.
Most recently, International Collective students volunteered at Glebe Youth Service as part of the Glebe Street Festival and enjoyed a bush walking trip to Bundeena, on Dharawal Country.
A day trip to Bundeena with the International Collective organised by Raghav Motani
At all levels of community, Raghav has made an impact: lending a helping hand to vulnerable communities, organising group activities for his own and advocating for issues facing international students. At the UTS Students Assocation, Raghav has kept the issue of International students paying unfair transport costs at the forefront of the agenda, while raising the issue of housing insecurity in an article he was profiled in with the Sydney Morning Herald.
Raghav stands as a true global citizen: giving back, fostering connection, and leaving an indelible mark on the community he calls home. Through his passion for and commitment to social issues close to his heart, Raghav Motani is a shining example of how one person can have an incredible impact.