Live Google Hangout with Andrea Palacios, Ceo Blue Studies International

CHAD: Okay guys, thank you all so much for sharing your time with us, for joining us, it's an exciting evening. It's the first time we are doing this right now, but it certainly won't be the last. Now, we have got someone special here with us, Andrea Palacious. She is the CEO of Blue Studies International. I will give you a little bit of a rundown as to what Blue Studies International is. Now, Blue Studies International is an education agency that has been operating for over 8 years now. They have offices in different parts of South America as well as Asia, but the headquarters are in Melbourne, Australia. Now, they are in the business of helping international students and skilled migrants from here in Australia and from overseas. This is done by giving them the opportunity to live, study and work here in Australia. This is achieved in various ways such as directing the student into the right path, in terms of education, qualifications, and skills, to help them get the job that they really want in life, to help them life in Australia, and also by helping them to integrate here in Australia, which helps with living as well, by offering them different social events, student (), and just every opportunity to be able to network, meet friends, and build a professional network for themselves. So I present Andrea Palacious. ANDREA: Hi everyone, it's my pleasure to be here and share some of my experiences with you tonight. CHAD: Perfect. Now look, we will get straight into it, so I just want to start by asking you about your personal journey of coming to Australia, why you came in a first place and what your first impression of Australia was? ANDREA: Well, I was 21 years old when I came to Australia 12 years ago, as an international student. The reason I decided to come to Australia was because I was doing my bachelor's degree back in Columbia, I am from Columbia, and in the university they started saying that we need level of English to finish the degree that we were doing and also we need to do like an international test, and my level of English was zero, like I didn't speak a word of English. So I was like wow, I need to do something. So I start searching about options to go overseas and I decided to come to Australia. After looking different options like United States or Canada or UK, but yeah, Australia was one of the countries that really going through my mind, like I really liked what they were saying about Australia in Columbia, so I was like yeah, this is for me. So I decided to come here for 6 months. Well, my first impression of Australia was like, it was a good impression, I really liked everything, like the people and the city. Melbourne is a beautiful city so I fell in love as soon as I came, but it was very hard, because I didn't speak a word of English. So it was very hard to communicate with people, it was very hard to like go to movies, to ask for things, so yeah... CHAD: Just out of curiosity, what do Columbians think about Australia? I mean this is I guess you know, what you were exposed to before you came to Australia, but what did they actually say about Australia? Did it meet expectations? ANDREA: Well like, 12 years ago, not many people knew anything about Australia, apart from the opera house and kangaroos, I think that was the only thing that we really knew, and still some people think Sidney is the capital of Australia, and yeah, things like that. CHAD: Okay, so, I mean, obviously you needed English in your studies back home in Columbia. After you first landed in Australia what exactly took place, I mean you know, you obviously looked for a job, and you had to study as well. Just tell us your story about your, like the beginning of when you first landed here in Australia. ANDREA: When I was in Columbia, and the people who were helping me to do the visa, they were saying to me, oh, there's plenty of jobs in Australia, even if you don't speak English it's fine, you will find a job in 1 or 2 days, so I was like okay, cool, that's good, that's what I need. Because unfortunately my dad is (), he was starting his own business, and he said to me, don't go now, because I'm not going to be able to support you while you are there is you need me. Just wait probably 1 year and then you can go and I am going to be comfortable helping you. And I was like no, I want to go now. I knew like, that was my time, and if I stayed probably I would stay forever so I was like no, I have to go now, I will find my way. So I knew that I couldn't ask for money in my house to my parents. So I had a budget for one month for living expenses and bills, and the time started passing, like 2 weeks, and I was like, I didn't find a job, it wasn't that easy, how they were telling me in Columbia, so I was like, started panicking. So I started asking around, going everywhere to ask for jobs. So I reached- I had my day limit- which was like a Sunday, because I said to myself okay, I need to find a job, today. So I knew, they were paying like every 2 weeks, so I'm going to have enough money in 2 weeks to pay my next rent, and it was Sunday and I went to meet some people and I started asking everyone, and a lady said to me, oh, I used to work in a restaurant in the city, just go there and just, I know they owner, her likes Latin American people so go there and ask. Maybe he will give you job. And I was like, but I don't speak English. I was looking for job like in cleaning, because people say like, the supervisors, the managers they were like from Chile, from Columbia, so they speak Spanish, so that was the easiest way to find a job, and she is like no no, go, it's fine, may be in the kitchen, you can work as a kitchen (), you don't need like a good level of English, and I was like okay. So that was Monday. I was applying for many jobs on Saturday, like people were saying to me like Saturday is the day where you buy the newspaper (), and you apply for jobs. And they were calling me on Monday, it's like plenty of jobs. No one called me, and it was like 5-6 o'clock in the afternoon. So I was like, I was desperate, and I was like, what am I going to do, it's Monday...so I will start working in the city, I went into a church, and I was very upset with God, I said to him like, how can you let me come here, and now I'm in this situation, like I couldn't find a job. How am I going to pay my rent in 2 weeks? Well, I was there probably for half an hour and I left, and I remember the lady that I met on Sunday, she told me about this restaurant, so I went to this restaurant, and I talked to the manager and he said oh, just leave your number, and I will talk to the owner and probably we will call you if we need you. I was like okay, fine. So that night, I didn't even have a mobile phone at that time, so I was like giving my friend's mobile phone number. So my friend called me and he is like oh, Andrea, someone called me, they need you and you need to call to this number, because it's something about a job. So I was like, who was it, and he is like, it was from the restaurant. So that was the only restaurant that I was approaching, so I decided to go to the next day, because I said to myself, if I call I am not going to understand anything. So I went the next day, and I walked to the owner and he was like yeah, it's fine, like, can you start today? I was like, yeah, I can. So with my little limited English, he was like, yeah, we need someone, you can start () so come back at 5 o'clock. So that's how I started and he said to me, yeah, you're not going to work in the kitchen, you're going to work as a waitress on the floor, so I was like, how am I going to do that, I don't speak English, and he is like no no, I will help you. So I was, it was really, really nice of him and he was going with me to every table telling people like, oh Andrea just arrived in the country, she doesn't speak English very well, so please speak slowly to her, so it was really good. CHAD: It's obviously the support was incredibly important at that stage, I imagine. Because obviously you've got your employer supporting you as much as he can at that point. But what other things would you say were really important and vital for you to get that first job? ANDREA: Well, I think it was like, to build my network, so I didn't know anyone here, so when I came here, I just knew someone, it was a friend of a friend in Columbia. So I was like okay, I need to meet people, I need to build my network, because that's the only way that you can (). So yeah, I think like network, it's very important. And ask, you need to ask. If you don't ask you're not going to get anything. Like the worst thing that can happen to you is to say no. CHAD: Yeah, exactly. And I mean, in this time, have you actually settled in your own rental property, did you have a place to stay? I just want to get an idea of you know, what was it like for you when you actually first arrived here. ANDREA: Well, when I arrived I arrived into like home stay, which was like with Australian family. I think it's a very good option for everyone, because it's like, at least you have people around you, who are willing to help you. They are Australians, they know everything. So it's good for probably the first 2 months, but I knew that I needed to move because it was so expensive. Like normally you can stay for a little bit expensive than a normal () accommodation, so I was unwilling like, I wasn't able to pay the home stay. So I was staying one month and then I was looking like, looking for other property which was not so expensive... CHAD: More affordable? ANDREA: Yeah, more affordable, than..So what I did was like, I was going to universities and schools around, because always people put advertising about rooms, so I was like, I want to live with other students, I want to live with other international students, so yeah, I found it. It was a little bit of a challenge because it's not easy to find a good place or good people to live with, but yeah, in about a month, I had my place with a friend. CHAD: When you say some people you don't want to live with, I mean, what exactly were you looking for in a housemate? ANDREA: Well, I was like looking for someone who was social, clean, nice, probably easy going. CHAD: I guess, someone who complements the same mentality that you had as well, at the time, which was be social and what else? Learn English? ANDREA: Yeah, with like a similar like probably objectives and goals. CHAD: Okay, well, so how long were you on your first job for? ANDREA: Well, I was at the restaurant for...first of all I was at the restaurant for probably 7 months and then the owner, he bought a coffee shop, and he was like Andrea, you have to go to the coffee shop. So it was another challenge for me. Because I was so comfortable at the restaurant, like, at that stage I knew everything, I knew the menu, I knew everything like even I was training other Australians, other people to work there. ... ANDREA: After 6-7 months. CHAD: Okay, and was your English perfect by that time? Because I () you are taking orders from clients, and suddenly, and you don't speak English, well, but now you are in position where you are actually teaching other people. ANDREA: Yeah, well, no, my English wasn't good at all, but I knew everything. And one thing that I do in my life, I like to really get into the position like, I was the best. I do things very, very good, so the manager and the owner they were very happy with me, they really liked the way I was doing things, like I always on top of everything, and probably looking to do more and more to make the place better. They were very happy with me. That's why he wanted me to go to the coffee shop, I was like, yeah, it's fine. And it was another world like, it was another challenge in my life. Because he was like, probably he thought that I knew everything, and the first day I was there he just ... CHAD: By knew everything, I think you're referring to coffee making. ANDREA: Yes, coffee making. CHAD: What else? ANDREA: Like, they were selling things like completely different over there, so one thing that happened to me, like a lady came and she is like oh, can I get an English breakfast. And I am like sure, and I was looking on the ...and I was looking for a breakfast, I thought it was like an actual breakfast and she is like...I was like oh, I don't think we have English breakfast, and she is like, yeah you do. And I am like no, it's not here, and she is like, it's a tea and it's there. And I was like I didn't have a clue that there was a tea called English breakfast, so I was like everything, and they were selling alcohol like cocktails, and when they asked me for the lemon lime () I was like what was that, I didn't have a clue. So it was like a process of learning, but yeah, I consider that I am very good at making coffees, like the clients were teaching me or helping me how to make coffee, like they were asking me for latte, and I was like, I don't know, probably making a () No no, it's like in the glass, like, oh, really, and it's only 1 shot of coffee, and that's how I learned how to make coffees. CHAD: And you know when you said that people were helping you, I imagine that there were a lot of English speaking people, and I mean, I obviously acknowledge the fact that you know, your English wasn't that good, but you know, what was their attitude towards you? ANDREA: They were very nice, very, very nice. Because they knew that my English was very limited, they were trying to explain everything in a good way, and I started making friends. Like one thing that I noticed about Australians, they are very, they always ask for the same thing, so when I was like at the coffee shop and I was looking at people coming like probably from 1 meter away, I start making the coffee because I knew what they were going to ask and they were like, ahh, so when they gather it was almost ready, and they were like, oh, you are so good, and...but they were very, very nice, like, very helpful. CHAD: Yeah. And you know, how did you actually build the confidence, to that state where, obviously you are making coffee, you are speaking to them, but you obviously found yourself in the deep end. But how did you maintain that little of confidence that you had? ANDREA: Well, I had my goal, like, it was like to be able to finish my degree, to finish my English course, to pay for all my bills, and I was by myself, so I didn't have any other choice to do it. And I was trying to make it as well as possible, like, I was really enjoying it, it was a challenge, it was very hard, like sometimes I could get so frustrated when they were talking to me and I couldn't understand like simple things. One day my boss was asking me about, it was like gin and tonic, and it was the bottle tonic, and he was like, can you pass me the tonic, and I was like what? I couldn't understand, he looked at me like he wanted to kill me, and he just grabbed the bottle. So those things I will never forget about tonic and like, that's how I learned. CHAD: You learned some things the hard way, but more importantly what other lesson did you actually learn in this time as well? Like you know, I am talking about the really beneficial stuff that has really helped you achieve the things that you've achieved today? ANDREA: Well, some of the lessons that I learned were like, that I have to get out of my comfort zone, like, really put myself out there, throw myself in the deep end, and as I say to you, even if ...like the worst thing that can happen to you is they say no, so...And if they don't understand you can repeat yourself many times, like I know Australians don't have a good reputation about their English, and when I went in the coffee shop I was listening to people, and even between Australian, they always ask like, what do you say, what, can you say that again? So it's not only us, it's not only us that we have accent and our English is not perfect. It's between them as well, so I learned to not to feel probably embarrassed to talk to them or ask them if I didn't understand what they were trying to tell me. So get out of your comfort zone. Sometimes you want to be perfect, but you will never be perfect, so just...if you have like a certain level, and you will be able to communicate, just talk to people, go out there, and ask questions. If like...anything, don't be afraid to ask. CHAD: I guess like, you know, this is a common problem with many international students, what would you say would be the very first step that an international student has to take? I mean it's all well and good to say you need to ask questions, but if a person is listening right now, and this is a very big problem for them, what would you say their first step needs to be? ANDREA: Well it depends what they want to do. So if they have a problem with I don't know, finding jobs for example, they need to apply, they need to call, they need to go to like recruitment agencies, they need to ask around. The only way they ask, or the only way they move around, it's around their friends, so it's much () find you a job, it's fine, and I don't do anything else. But if they don't find me a job, I'm not just going to start complaining about it. But you need to really find ways, find different ways to do it, not just to get stuck in one option when there are so many options. CHAD: I mean, you are saying different options, obviously people need to think outside of the box as well, because if you are thinking of applying in the newspaper or on ()com, that's where you know you will have a lot of different competition. And I imagine that there will be some different ways you know, out of the box solutions for approaching this kind of situation where you actually need a job or you need to meet friends. What are some of the, you know, different ways that people can actually get a job? ANDREA: Well, one thing that I want to say is they need to really value themselves, like most of the people that come in here, they already have the degrees, they already have the...work experience, but they are very limited, because of their English they are oh, my English is not enough, so I am not going to get a job. So they are stuck there, so the mind is saying like, I'm not going to find a job, I'm not good enough, but they are. I know it's so many people with probably intermediate level you know, of English and they have very good jobs, because they have a very good experience, they have resume. But there's some recruitment agents, there's some people () around. For instance we at Blue studies are helping people with tips, like how to write a perfect resume, how to do an interview. So you need to take all that information that we have given. CHAD: ..., okay, because obviously you worked in that restaurant, you threw yourself in the deep end as well, and you were in the first restaurant for about 7 months, and then you moved to the next restaurant, how long were you in the next restaurant for? ANDREA: Probably one year. CHAD: One year, okay. So what was the sequence of events after you got that job working in the coffee shop, what was the sequence of events then? You have been working there for about a year, and I imagine that you know, you were studying in that time as well. What kind of jobs you applied for afterwards? What were you studying, what were your hours like? ANDREA: Well, I was studying English when I was working in the first restaurant, and then I was doing my diploma of business marketing, for 1 year, and at that time, I was at the other restaurant. I was very lucky to work with them, they were very flexible with the time tables. So every time the school changed my time table, I was able to change my time table at the restaurant, so that was very helpful. And then I went to university. So that was when I decided to stay in Australia and finish my Bachelor's degree. So I went to uni, and university was so different history. It was obviously harder, and I had to pay more money, and so, I started doing a cleaning job, like at night... CHAD: Which university did you go to and what did you study? ANDREA: I went to () university and I studied business marketing. CHAD: Okay. You said you had to pay more money as well, how did you make the payments? ANDREA: Well, I saved some money, for when I was working at the restaurant, and I was like taking a lot of advantage of my holidays, so I was working like, because on holidays you can do overtime, so I was working crazy hours, like 80 hours a week. So I was saving some money, but also I was very fortunate that I met this lady, when I was doing the diploma, there was private school, and she was the only one helping me. Like, at that time there weren't any agencies, like now, helping students, so I was talking to her and she was helping me how to renew my visa, what were my options to study. So we were looking at the universities and I said to her, it's too expensive, I can't afford it. And so I was looking at other options as well, more not as expensive as university and she was like, no Andrea, you have to go to university, it's better for your future, like when you go to find a job. I know your potential...so she is like, how much do you need, I will help you. CHAD: She actually helped you financially? ANDREA: Yeah. It was incredible. She said to me like, she said to me like, when I ... CHAD: That's the importance of building your network, that's one of the big benefits right there. ANDREA: Yeah. She really liked me. Like, even because of her, my idea of start working international students came to me, because she said to me, Andrea, I love Columbians, I love Latin American students, I wanted to open an office in Columbia, to bring students to this school, so in one year to manage that office to ... CHAD: She is I guess your mentor behind starting your own business, but she also not only helped you with starting your business, but you know, guided you in the right direction in terms of education as well? ANDREA: Yeah. Yeah, she was so nice, she was from Thailand, but she was living in Australia for many, many years. She came to Australia as an international student, so she understood my process and everything that I have been going through, and so that's why she helped me, a lot. And so when she said to me, Andrea, I want to open this office with you, I trust you, let's do this, I started to make a whole marketing plan, actually it was part of my subjects when I was doing my diploma, like to set up a business in Columbia, bring international students to Australia. Well, it never happened, the school closed down after I finished my degree, but I had the experience, it was a great experience. This lady helped me a lot, like she helped me financially, like she said to me, how much do you need, and in how long are you going to be able to pay me back? So because of her I really went to...And she was like, and I wanted to go () because I know that () university is a very good university, very good reputation, especially in business. So yeah, I was very fortunate to meet her. And it was because I was always around and talking to people and mingling and trying to make friends and ask around. CHAD: So obviously you know, you know, building a network yourself played a big, big role in shaping your future. I guess what relevance did the education plays as well? I mean obviously it's what brought you guys together, but percentage-wise, what would you say, like you know, helped shape your future, was it, I mean, I will let you tell me the percentages, but, I kind of want to get an idea how much, which () has benefited you? ANDREA: It was very hard, especially when I was in Columbia I was doing a bunch of that little advertising, and my university at the time had an accruement with (), so I was able to finish bachelor of advertising (). And she said to me, well, I know what you have been studying in Columbia, but in Australia, it's a very closed industry even for Australians, and a proof of that is that the only university that has that degree is (), and it's so expensive, it was so expensive while I was ...plus I had to pay like 2000$ for material or something like that, I can't afford it. But she said to me, try to look something which is more open, more general, something that really like you like it...And I always have been like a business person, like I always had little business, I used to have chocolate business for 10 years when I was in Columbia, when I was in school... CHAD: How long have you had this chocolate business? ANDREA: Sorry? CHAD: How old were you when you had this chocolate business? ANDREA: I started when I was 12 years old. CHAD: Okay. So you always had a business mind, you were always competitive? ANDREA: Yeah. And I think that's because my dad is a businessman and I think I got that from him. And yeah, I was doing all kinds of business at school, at the university, I was always selling things. They used to call me the Turkish girl, because I was selling many things. CHAD: Oh, wow, okay. So I mean we read the story now about your childhood, obviously you grew up with a very entrepreneurial mind, you've made the move to Australia, we've heard about some of these struggles, in the very beginning, and then we have heard about how you know, all the different things that actually shaped you, to become the person that you are today, running the business that you're running, by having a mentor, and what you studied. But let's hear some about the obstacles right now, what were some of the biggest challenges that you faced after you had actually felt settled? So you obviously got your job working in the coffee shop, you study right now, what were some of the obstacles then and when you started your business? ANDREA: Well, when I was in university, it was very hard, like I had to study very hard, actually, because I was studying in Columbia and I did a diploma. So I was doing substitutes of year 2 and year 3 of university, and it was very hard, I had to study double, like the English and the...I was doing economics, like macroeconomics. But it was so different, and I had to study microeconomics and macroeconomics at the same time because I didn't really have that background. But they gave me credits for that. So I had to study, I was working very hard so I was doing cleaning jobs and also I was working in other places, like waking up very early... CHAD: Just so that we get an idea, I mean how many hours were you studying, how many hours were you working? ANDREA: Well, I wasn't studying full time like for 12 weeks, but then I was working probably during like holidays, I was having like 2 full time jobs. But also I was studying for my next semester, because I knew I was going to be, it was going to be very hard, so it was like...At times I had 2 full time jobs, because I really needed to save money for university. So I was waking up at 3:30 in the morning, 4 in the morning...But it was fine, like, I was happy because I was studying what I wanted to study, I was really enjoying university and it was worth it to wake up. Like I'm not a morning person and it was worth it to wake up at 3:30 or 4 in the morning and going to bed at 11-12. CHAD: So I guess that's an important lesson there, because from what I gather, you understood why it was so important for you to study, to do the jobs that you were currently doing. And by that way I guess you were able to appreciate some of the obstacles that you were facing, and rather than seeing them as obstacles that were going to get in your path, and stop you from achieving things, you saw them as you know, challenges, you motivated yourself to overcome them, am I right? ANDREA: Yeah, absolutely. It was like, I know for so many people and even for me it was very hard to work as a cleaner. When I was like coming from Columbia I used to have my work, I was like managing people in Columbia working in big organization, and then come here and clean, it was like a little bit of...it was hard, it was very hard. Like what am I doing, why am I doing this, like I always told to myself, if this is temporary, it's because I needed to do it. Because I am studying and my goal was to finish my bachelor degree. And my other goal was to stay in Australia. So I was like building that. There were hard times, but I always kept positive and motivated to continue, because I was like, reaching my goal, I was going in one direction. CHAD: So I guess you were focused more on the end goal. And just listening to your story right now it reminds me of a quote that I read by Mohammed Ali, the greatest boxer of all time. He said you know go through the pain now so you can live the rest of your life as a champion. Which I guess really applies to your situation right now, because I mean, give us a rundown of your current lifestyle right now, I mean you have obviously gone through the pain, but what's life to you right now? ANDREA: Well, I am achieving work, everything that I was dreaming of, like I have my own business now, I am helping hundreds, thousands of people, and I am really like, I am very happy to do what I'm doing now. When I finish my degree, I was like, what am I going to do now, I asked myself, like, in which industry am I going to work, what am I going to do, and I am like god, I need something to give me the link to Columbia, because I am very, I have been living in Australia for 12 years and like I live here now, but I am very Columbian, I love my family, I miss my family, I miss my friends. So I was like I need something to give me that link to my country, to give me the opportunity, the option to travel very often. And also I want to help people. When I was studying I was like, many, many of my friends, they were lost, they didn't know what to do, they made so many mistakes, and I was like, I really want like them to succeed, they are very, very intelligent, smart, with a lot of experience. So I think I combined everything that I like. I like business, I like helping people, and I like Columbia, so...and I travel every year to Columbia to South America to visit my offices. So yeah, it's perfect, it's everything that I dreamed of... CHAD: So I am hearing you know, a message here, in between, `just reading in between the lines, obviously you listed all the things that you wanted in your life, you wanted to be able to travel, quite frequently, you wanted to have a job that you really enjoy, I mean, what would you say your message is, to all the international students and skilled migrants out there, who are listening and like in the process of pursuing the job that they really want? What would be your message for them? ANDREA: Well, the message is to always be focused and don't stop dreaming, like you can do it, even if you're in another country. I know it's not going to be as easy as if you were in Columbia or Chile or whatever are you from, but it's possible. Like so many people made it. So I am one of the examples of that I was able to make it, I came here as an international student, I didn't speak a word of English, and I was by myself, I didn't have anyone here. And I was able to reach everything that I wanted. So it's possible. And I have seen it in many, many people in Australia, and I don't know, for some reason I think most of the people, the successful people in Australia are from other countries, because we, I think we are from different background and we really want to make it happen, and it's possible. Australia is a good country with many opportunities. I think people in Australia love international students, or people from different background, with different ideas, and yeah, they are very welcoming. CHAD: So just going back to the point that you made about a lot of international people being really successful here in Australia, I guess you are referring to you know, what would be good measures, the (), you look at some of the top people on this list. A good percentage of these people are international you know, so I mean they've come here from overseas, at different ages, but it's I guess you know, some of the qualities that they have that brought back like...from home. So really hard working strong ethics and what other qualities would you say that some of these people have such as Columbians, that would really benefit them in the Australian environment? ANDREA: I think with many people, especially from countries like South America, we really like to study, really like to have our own businesses or like really hard working people, so I think Australians in a way are very fortunate to be in a country like this, like they don't really worry about many things, like they can afford to go overseas for 1 to 3 years, and ...But in countries like Columbia we are not able to do it. You have to study, you have to work hard, you have,...it's all, like they put in your mind since you were like kid, you really need to study, you need to finish your degree, you need to find a good job, you need to set your own business, you have to work hard, you have to follow your dreams but it's like never stops, it's like keep going, keep going. So that's probably the motivation, it's always like pursuing more and more things. CHAD: So I guess it's a motivation if you look at it in a positive way, because you were in a new and different country, you bring the strong work ethics with you, but if you basically carry that through, you would ...what you are saying is this, that you can actually achieve your dreams in a country like Australia. ANDREA: Yeah, absolutely. I've seen it like to many, many of my friends that we came together, or that I made 12 years ago, and in all these years that I have been working in this industry, how people are recognized, like they are doing a really senior positions and even good friends are in companies from Abu Dhabi and United States, because they like multinational companies so they really want to, they want them to work in their branch, so they have to move to other countries. So I mean it's been, we are in a very good position. But we just need to go out there, like don't be afraid to go to interviews to apply for jobs, because I know like, the skills that people have are very, very high. CHAD: So some of the skills that people have are very high, now I just want to give people a little bit of a rundown of your current position, you have 6 offices worldwide, you have helped hundreds, maybe thousands of international students and migrants pursue their dream of you know, living, studying and working here in Australia and different parts of the world as well, like Canada and USA. And obviously you are in a position where you can actually travel to Columbia and different parts of the world, at least once a year, but it's not all of course roses and pleasure for you, what are some of the obstacles that you are facing right now as a business owner and how are you overcoming them? ANDREA: Well, as a business owner obviously you are facing so many things like you're working around the clock; like one of the biggest challenges like when you have your business is that you never stop. It's not like a normal job, 9 to 5 and you go home and you forget about it, when you have your own business, you are working 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, especially in this business, like in probably 15 min my offices in South America are going to open because of the time difference, so it never stops. So sometimes it's too much to do, and sometimes you get stuck on daily activities like admin stuff. And sometimes to grow the business it's not as easy as you thought, because there's so many things to do. So you need to really systemize what you're doing and always be on top of things and always implement. Because if you stay the same way as you started you're never going to grow. So to do many things at the same time, sometimes like makes you crazy. CHAD: So I guess nothing is ever going to actually be easy. It's more appreciating and understanding what you're doing, understanding what it's going to bring you, and just enjoying yourself in the moment and time, that's going to bring you the greatest happiness. ANDREA: Yeah, of course. And you need to be like stay focused and always have the purpose in life, like what did you want and why. So you need to follow that no matter how difficult it is. If you have that positive and that mentality, you will get it and you will find it. CHAD: Yeah. And I mean, you have obviously had a mentor who not only helped you go through university, but helped you start your business as well, and you had your first boss who not only provided you with a job, employment, but also helped you with English and being able to service the clients. And obviously you had some other mentors who helped you throughout your stay here in Australia. What are some of the powerful messages that you learned in the time that you have been here in Australia that you feel some of the students can benefit from? ANDREA: I think that powerful messages that I've learned from them, it's like to always keep your mind in the state of your goals, like what are your goals, what are you looking for, and always trying to follow that. Unfortunately there's so many people here that talk a lot, and everyone if different, every situation is different, everyone's goals are different and sometimes when people start listening to others, like they drug themselves to the probably situation of other and they start feeling sad and depressed. So try to surround yourself to people who are like you, people who are thinking like you, like they are really wanting to improve their English, or they like to meet new people, their objectives are different, like different to the others, like you need to find people who are probably like you, happy and positive. So also as I say build a network for yourself, try to go out there, like there's so many people here from so many different backgrounds. Probably one of the mistakes that I've made at some stage is to stay with just one group, and only Latin A...Spanish speaking people. So my English would stag and I didn't have new opportunity so I didn't have the option to meet new people. So my advice is to just go out there, go to different events, try to meet people with similar interests as you have and yeah, build your network, I think this... CHAD: I guess it is about friendship and professional network. And I'm saying professional network because you know, obviously your mentor, the one that helped you throughout, you met her somewhere along the way, but it would have been more of a professional setting I imagine? ANDREA: Yeah, it was like very, she really liked me and she wanted to help me, but it was like, in the beginning it was more like a professional relationship because she wanted me to open the office for her, for the school. So yeah, I had that contact and after that I had so many other contacts at university. Like, what really got me into this business was at the university when I did the presentation about a business between Columbia and Australia, and international students, and that was like my final assessment. And my () was so happy, he was like Andrea you need to work here, when international students from Columbia from Latin America we don't have many, that was a long, long time ago, so he was like introducing me to everyone at the university. He was like telling people, this lady is incredible, she...it's so good, she will bring so many students from Latin America, to the University, and unfortunately I didn't have any opposition available and the lady who was in charge for marketing and international students, she said to me like, Andrea we don't have any position available right now, because I was like calling her, every week, she was sick of me, she was like, I was driving her crazy, she was like, listen Andrea, I don't have any position available for you, the only way that we can work together is if you have your own agency and you start sending students to us. And I was like really, ok how does it work? So she said to me, okay, I can start doing that, I know many people, like I knew most of the Columbians at the time, and so I signed accruement with the university, she explained to me everything how it works, so I started approaching other universities and schools like I was the first one, everyone was so happy to work with me, because I was the one who was going to bring Latin American students to them. Like they love us, they really like us. Every time I go to a event in the university and they ask me where did your students come from and I was like oh, from South America, and they are like Oh, really, with most students we really like them, they really make difference in class. So yeah. CHAD: Well I guess, you know, what I am hearing is, that you just never really know when an opportunity is going to arise, it's just going to pop out of nowhere, but you just have to make yourself visible, you have to be out there, you have to be speaking to people, and you have to let people know, like you have to let the world know what your objectives are, what your goals are, what you want to get out of life, and you know, the world will conspire to your wants in mysterious ways. ANDREA: Yeah. Exactly, yeah, you never know when you are going to meet someone like, for example I've got an office in the Philippines right now, and it was through event that I met this couple and they really loved what I do, so now we are business partners. So yeah. CHAD: Now, obviously it's a very, very inspirational story, but businesses and all the things that you've achieved don't just happen without mistakes along the way. And you know, I am sure there are international students and skilled migrants listening right now, that are probably making mistakes right now, but what are some of the mistakes that you can share, that will help them save time and money? ANDREA: Well, I think one of the mistakes that I made on some stage was like listening to other international students that were in my same position, same situation, and probably they have the same information as I have. So everyone is trying to be an expert, and everyone trying to show that they (). So I learned that if I have a question of a specific thing I need to go to an expert. So for instance if I have a question about taxes, you know, accounting, I would go to an accountant, I am not going to ask my friend, because they will know same or less than I know. So a lot of people make a lot of mistakes listening to their friends. They are just being here for the same period of times, as I am being here, so just, if you have a question of a specific thing, just go to an expert, don't waste your time, or don't listen to others because they...Everyone is different and every situation is different. So probably that was one of the mistakes. Another probably mistake was like, I was at the same jobs for a long time, like the same jobs as everyone was doing, so like cleaning and because I didn't probably value myself. And now I regret it, because I knew I could find something else, but I could apply my skills and probably gain more experience and practice more and meet more people ...So probably I regret that. And yeah, some people were saying to me, because my first job was in a restaurant, so I was famous, like, when I was meeting people for a first time, they were like, oh, because one of the questions that they ask you is like, what are you doing now, what are you doing for living, and I was like, I am working in a restaurant. And they are like, oh you are the famous one. Like you are the only one who is not cleaning. So many people were saying to me, if you start with this, don't clean, you're go into cleaning industries and you are going to be there forever, because it's going to be very comfortable, like the... CHAD: I guess you are remaining comfortable in that position, because you are earning the money, and you know, when you said you value yourself, it's so easy to continue earning money and just fall into that rhythm of hey I am going to job, I am getting my money, I am paying my rent, I can't study, I'm content... ANDREA: Yeah, so I was in my comfort zone, I was like... CHAD: () Just understand like, the value of all the things that you've done in life in terms of study, and just go out there and don't be afraid of achieving those great goals. ANDREA: Yeah. And I said like, I think it's very important to find a mentor, to invest in yourself. To pursue your dreams. So ...and go out there. Probably the other mistake was probably when I was in uni, when I was studying and working, I was just like studying and working, studying and working for probably a year, and I think I was missing out, missing out on opportunities. CHAD: What kind of opportunities? You mean like a life opportunities, or work opportunities... ANDREA: Anything, like you can meet people, could be like a very good contact for your business, or for like help you to find jobs or like I think network is very important. CHAD: Yeah. Look, I mean, we have learned some very valuable lessons from you. It is, we have just reached the end, is there a final thing that you wanted to say to all the international students and skilled migrants out there who are listening? ANDREA: Well, I am just going to say that please keep a state of mind where you are very positive like, set up goals and be focused and don't let yourself fell down, and just... CHAD: And you can fall into the trap of being comfortable as well. ANDREA: Yeah. So just put yourself out there. You need to invest in yourself and you need to go out there, you need to get out of the comfort zone and ask. And don't be afraid to ask and to apply for jobs and to take every opportunity that you have. CHAD: Perfect. I have certainly learned a lot of lessons, I hope everyone else has, I really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us and everybody else out there as well, and we will just wrap it up out here, thanks guys. ANDREA: No, thank you for listening to me and I hope you really learned some lessons. CHAD: Okay ANDREA: Okay, bye.