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Settling their daughter Priyaanka Khatri into life at Otago University are former students Pramod Khatri (left) and Dr Farah Deobhakta. Photo by Peter McIntosh. |
Stories about studying at the University of Otago and trips
to Dunedin have filled Priyaanka Khatri's life. Now, the
first-year student is ready to call the city home.
The New Plymouth 18-year-old moved into St Margaret's College
last week, following in the footsteps of her parents Pramod
and Farah.
She will study law and commerce and will be the first
returning child of two parents under the same warden at the
college.
Otago was her first choice, partly because of tradition, but
"also I've been here so many times and I love it", she said.
The family made annual trips to Dunedin, on their way to ski
in Queenstown, and Miss Khatri enjoyed hearing stories about
her parents' days there.
"I like how the whole town is centred around the university
and it's basically a student town.
It's good for partying and it's good for studying - an
all-round lifestyle.
"I just really want to throw myself into student life, meet
new people and make new friends, and do really well in my
degree. I'm just really excited to get going and I can't wait
to see how the year pans out," she said.
There were no qualms about moving away from her family as she
had "quite a few friends" studying at Otago, and a cousin
living at the college.
She had heard great things about the university before
registering, not just from her parents who had "such a good
time", but from others who "didn't want to leave and had
withdrawal issues".
Mr Khatri and Dr Deobhakta started at Otago in 1981, studying
commerce and home science respectively. She went on to study
medicine, and he a master of business administration.
The couple stayed at Arana Hall before moving to St
Margaret's the following year.
"After we got married, we rented St Margaret's apartment on
Clyde St. When the kids said they wanted to come to this
university, we totally encouraged them because we felt we
benefited from the student lifestyle," Dr Deobhakta said.
Their thoughts on the city and university had not been
changed by unrest in the student quarter in recent years.
"It happens everywhere and even in our time. What we liked
about St Margaret's was the setup they have and it's really
geared for kids who really want to succeed," Mr Khatri said.
ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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