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This week on Unbreakable Ventures, we welcome Sandeep Sharma who joins us to share his experiences and advice from his debut book, Good on you Mate!
Good on You, Mate! follows Sandeep’s journey from Mumbai to Christchurch as an international student. It's part memoir, part practical guide for anyone considering studying abroad. And where one might think this as a purely academic read, the advice on putting together systems, community, and plan B’s can be used in any organisation.
In this interview, we cover:
Having motivation and vision in your work.
Doing your due diligence / try before you buy techniques.
How to be adaptable and having a plan B.
Being "decision ready".
How can we leverage social capital.
Making your own luck.
Support systems and mentoring.
An overview of Good on You, Mate!
Sandeep's original plan was Canada. But after navigating education fairs, visa hurdles, and agent negotiations, he ended up at the University of Canterbury instead. What followed was a crash course in resilience, cultural adaptation, and figuring things out as you go.
Through academic pressure, networking, financial planning, and post-study work opportunities, Sandeep shares how he dug deep into personal resilience competencies to plan a life in New Zealand.
The writing balances humour with hard-won insights. And while the book is designed for aspiring international students, it’s relevant and timely for any professional seeking more advice on resilience techniques to get through adversity.
Sandeep is a University of Canterbury alumni, the Strategy and Trade Officer at the India New Zealand Business Council, Chairperson of New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Whare Tawāhi-a-mahi i Aotearoa - National Office, and an international advisor to private businesses through his own advisory service, Northstar Global Advisory.
Key timestamps
00:01:03 – Why write a book? (Origins in journaling and personal experiences)
00:03:33 – Relevance to resilience and threat landscape (connecting personal story to resilience themes)
00:07:00 – Challenges of international education (immigration, resilience, perseverance)
00:13:00 – Motivation and global “health check” (choosing where to study, decision process)
00:25:00 – Visa rejection and setbacks (Canada denial, resilience lessons)
00:31:00 – Advice for young adults (AI, environment, finding strengths)
00:43:25 – Decision-ready file and arriving in New Zealand (mentorship, building networks)
01:01:16 – Book launch, availability, and final reflections
