Recently, James arrived home from India after completing a 40K Globe internship. During his time abroad, he experienced firsthand how his degree can ‘make a real difference in this world.’  

‘I recently came back from a four-credit internship with 40K Globe in India. Over 4 weeks in a rural village north of Bengaluru (Bangalore), my team and I were tasked with scoping, setting up, marketing and enrolling 50 disadvantaged children into a self-sufficient English education program. My assigned village was called Sunnagatta, about an hour’s drive over the treacherous Indian roads from our accommodation. Being in the third year of my Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce degree at Deakin, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to see real-world, ground-level effects of some of the new and innovative approaches to humanitarian work, and to be a part of it myself! I will never forget the smiles on the children’s faces as we opened the classroom for the first time,’ he says  

The wide range of opportunities – particularly overseas study; and internships – has been a highlight of my time at Deakin.

James recommends choosing to study at Deakin because ‘here you have access to a whole range of opportunities aside from your academic endeavours. Students can commit to a period of study at an overseas university, internship at an international organisation or participate in an in-country language program that will be counted as credit going towards their degree. The wide range of opportunities – particularly overseas study and internships – has been a highlight of my time at Deakin.’  

‘Deakin’s learning environment and culture are quite unique compared to other universities in Australia. Academic staff are understanding of students’ needs and we are challenged to be independent thinkers as we progress through our degrees,’ James says 

James Elmer 
Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce 

James Elmer

Learn more about studying a business degree at Deakin University.