2009 Student Profile

Sirjana Singh has found her niche.  She has a more relaxed lifestyle in New Zealand and Waikato University is helping her to fulfil an ambition to become an organisational psychologist.

After completing her Bachelor's degree in India, Sirjana made her way to New Zealand where she worked for a year with victims of domestic violence.  She then decided to enrol at Waikato University and embark on a pathway towards organisational psychology. 

"I am very interested in understanding the work behaviour and the phenomenon of organisational development and change.  I want to make a positive change in this sphere as people spend almost half of their lives at their jobs," she says.

Sirjana enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in 2008 and initially found the different teaching style in New Zealand to be quite challenging.  However, her lecturers, tutors and fellow classmates helped her through those tough moments and she quickly realised that she was in safe hands in the Faculty.

"I enjoy the group activities and giving presentations. I enjoy the campus life and meeting heaps of people from all around the globe. That feeling is so exhilarating! I have made lifelong friendships. The Professors are so understanding and I enjoy every bit of my life here," she says.

Sirjana is now in the midst of her Master of Applied Psychology majoring in organisational psychology.  Her thesis relates to the current global recession and its effect on people who survive it, a topic that is important, relevant and reflects her current interests. 

 Sirjana believes Waikato University has a lot to offer, provided you are willing to be receptive and to work for your grades.