I’m Nandani Taparia, a proud alumnus of Billabong High International School, where my journey began in Jr. KG and blossomed into something truly magical until I graduated from here. From my early days, Billabong provided a nurturing environment that made learning feel like an adventure. I still fondly remember the iconic Kangaroo Kids days, with its tiny splash pool and doll room—perfect for a four-year-old’s dreams. It’s incredible to see how the school has transformed since then, and I can’t help but feel a little envious of the students who get to experience it now!
As I moved through the grades, Billabong continued to be a place of growth and support. It wasn’t just about academics; it was about the encouragement, mentorship, and belief I received along the way. Whether it was sports, extracurricular activities, or just being a part of the vibrant school culture, every moment left an impact. I still cherish the memories of the annual events, the excitement of sports days, and the endless fun in the cafeteria—where my friends and I bonded over aloo parathas and dal chawal.
Billabong wasn’t just a school; it was a family. The friends, the staff, and everyone who made those years unforgettable—it truly felt like home. Billabong has shaped me into who I am today, and I will forever carry those memories with me.
Nandani Taparia (2020)
I currently work as an Associate at J.P. Morgan in New York, a role I've held for the past 4.5 years. After graduating from Billabong High in 2015, I pursued a BE (Hons) in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Finance at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, graduating in 2020. My time at Billabong was transformative, shaping the values and skills that continue to guide me today.
While my academic focus was on biochemical engineering, I developed a strong interest in finance, which has become central to my career. Outside of academics, I was actively involved in my college's Dramatics Society, performing in numerous stage and street plays. My passion for cinema led me to take courses in film theory and style, and I even worked on a project studying the films of French New Wave filmmakers like Philippe Garrel and Leos Carax. My professional and research interests lie in finance and economic theory, areas I am passionate about exploring further. I’m grateful for the experiences and memories I’ve gained during my school years at BHIS, Bhopal.
Saumya Nair (2015)
I am Ishtarth Chopra, a proud graduate of Billabong High International School, Bhopal. After completing my BBA and MBA from Amity University, Noida, I ventured into the world of entrepreneurship by founding my own finance investment company. Over the past five years, I’ve expanded operations to two offices in Bhopal, focusing on empowering young individuals to understand and embrace financial planning early in life. My journey from school to entrepreneurship has been shaped by the strong foundation and values instilled during my years at Billabong. It’s a place that nurtures dreams and equips students to transform them into reality.
Ishtarth Chopra (2016)
My time at Billabong was about much more than academics. It was a journey of self- discovery, filled with countless experiences, lifelong friendships, and valuable lessons that shaped who I am today.
After graduating, I pursued Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Data Science at BITS Pilani. During my time there, I led the Design and Aerodynamics Team, making history as the first Indian team to participate in the Shell Eco-Marathon with an ethanol-powered engine. My entrepreneurial spirit took flight with Short-squeeze Pvt. Ltd., a deep-tech start- up backed by a young, dynamic team from prestigious institutions like IITs, NITs, and BITS. Our projects include impactful initiatives like developing the mobile app for the INSPIRE Manak Scholarship (Government of India) and a Criminal Database System for Madhya Pradesh's Special Task Force.
Embrace challenges would be my only advice to the current students as they lead to success.
Sarthak Bansal (2016)
I’m a proud alumnus of Billabong High International School, Bhopal, Class of 2016. My academic journey has taken me across continents, with a Bachelor of Arts in History from Shiv Nadar University, a Master of Arts in Historical Studies from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and now, a PhD in History at Ashoka University.
Billabong played an integral role in shaping my intellectual curiosity and nurturing my passion for history and cinema. My school always supported my passion for music, encouraging me to continue my training in Hindustani Classical. Being part of the Music Society further nurtured my skills and love for the art. My years at school remain some of the most cherished, filled with unforgettable experiences that laid the foundation for my academic and personal growth.
Atharva Korde (2016)
I am pursuing BALLB (Hons.) at the National Law School of India University. I knew that making my way to my dream university would be challenging but the strength, independence, and readiness to take on challenges fostered within me at Billabong enabled me to undertake the journey and emerge successful. Here, I am a part of the team managing my university’s student-led magazine and a member of the committee responsible for promoting cultural diversity on campus. I recently successfully tried debating, joined the Feminist Alliance, and am going to intern at an NGO that works for the empowerment of marginalized communities soon.
The most important thing I have learned from my journey is to dream. As long as there is drive and determination, you will soon realize your dream has become your reality. Just dream.
Manjishtha Rai (2024)
Being a Billabong High student from the very beginning, I can proudly say that the school played a pivotal role in shaping my personality and overall growth. Billabong's focus on holistic learning has been instrumental in building a strong foundation for my journey. Currently, I am pursuing the Strategic Business Management course at the Masters' Union School of Business in Gurgaon. The cohort begins in January 2025, and I am excited to embark on this unique learning journey.
To the students of today: Always aim to make a difference, regardless of when you start.
Some may reach their goals faster, but if you focus on growing stronger, you will create wonders. Believe in yourself, and success will follow.
Chinmay Dawar (2018)
I remember my time at Billabong with great fondness. The opportunities to grow and learn were immense and have shaped my journey every step of the way. Billabong allowed me to explore a wide range of interests—some of which have turned into lifelong hobbies, while others I’ve used directly in my professional work.
I am deeply grateful to the teachers and staff who always supported me and pushed me to step outside my comfort zone. Their guidance has been invaluable in my journey from being a student at school to an undergraduate, a business professional, and now an MBA candidate at IIM Calcutta.
To the outgoing class, my advice is simple: be confident in your abilities and in the education you’ve received. Stay grounded and focus on the small victories—the big picture will take care of itself.
Harshvardhan Rastogi (2016)
Billabong has always taught me to maintain the right balance between academics and extracurricular activities. Moreover, the school was the place where I developed the confidence to explore my skills, a practice I continue till date. I have a degree in Kathak and over 9 years of experience in this dance form. However, in VIT I had to switch my dance style as there was no Kathak team. From initial difficulties in adapting to the dance form to winning various college fests from Mumbai to Pondicherry, I have evolved as a more versatile dancer. Currently I’m a Team Head at VIT Dance Club. Our team is also well recognized in South India. I’m also a core committee member at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Under this banner, I have organized various technical events, workshops and conferences.
I am associated with a funded research project on water purification which aims at fabrication and characterization of novel polymers for the removal of heavy metals from water. Apart from these, I was chosen as the Programme Representative of my branch, based on my academic performance for two consecutive years.
Diksha Tatte (2017)
I’m pursuing law at Nalsar University, Hyderabad. It was a challenging transition from my sheltered life at Billabong and at home to finding my feet in an alien city, but there’s no place I’d rather be than Nalsar. I’m most grateful for the different kind of education that I have access to at my law school. It is extremely interesting and at times shocking to study subaltern narratives of history and the current affairs, rather than just the popular discourses one generally has access to.
My most fulfilling experience at college was to be able to participate in protests by the youth against certain discriminatory laws, that led to widespread outrage all over the nation. It was empowering to know that I could contribute a little in the fight to protect the constitutional fabric of the nation. Studying law has also allowed me to gain practical knowledge and experience. In my three years at law school, I have interned with an NGO for women’s rights, a litigation firm and a senior counsel of the Supreme Court. In the future, I aim to specialise in a specific field of law and delve into the sphere of academia and legal research.
Aahna Rajan (2017)
I'm currently in my third year at Travancore Medical. My teachers and friends would describe me as an empathetic individual and would vouch for the fact that despite holding very strong views about life, I allow everyone their space and perceptions. One activity that remains close to my heart to date, was being granted the opportunity to be one of the interns at one of the student internship programmes held by the District Collectorate-Mission Trans 5, which aimed at increasing awareness around the LGBTI community residing in our district (Kollam), at the beginning of the 2nd year.
Billabong has provided an environment unlike any I've ever come across when it comes to nurturing a child's individuality and creativity. It has given me so many warm memories I'm always afraid I'll lose track. The teachers and students alike have played an immeasurable role in shaping me into the person I am, and who I further hope to be. Regardless of however many years pass, I don't think I will ever forget what it felt like to first walk into the school or the bittersweet moment we walked out of it as its students for the last time.
Simran Shaju (2017)
After graduating from BHIS, I attended De Montfort University in Leicester, to do BSc. Psychology (Hons). DMU has a gold standard in The Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF). TEF is a national exercise, introduced by the government in England. It assesses excellence in teaching at universities and colleges, and how each higher education provider ensures excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate-level employment or further study. A university is awarded the "Gold Standard" for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It’s of the highest quality found in the UK. DMU was also unique in its record of work for the public good, and belief that universities are uniquely placed to make a difference. This value underpinned their collaboration with the United Nations. Their new Strategic Plan showed how the university continues to use the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a prism through which to explore new and exciting possibilities in teaching, research and student support.
Through DMU I was able to not just excel in my academic journey but also enhance my global impact. I graduated with a First class honours degree classification, being in the top 3% of my cohort (of 160+ students). I also attended many international trips with DMU and got a chance to attend an international conference held at the Ming Chuan University in Taipei, Taiwan. I was also on their DMUGlobal trip to New York where we attended the UN's SD-17 conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and I was one of the participants who spoke at the UN. During my last year, I was the Course Representative for my entire cohort and attended weekly meetings with the entire teaching faculty (including the Dean of Psychology and Head of Health and Life Sciences) to present any issues students were facing and assist them in problem-solving collaboratively. The time I spent with DMU, not only enhanced my academic skills in psychology and research but also added to my abilities as an orator and team leader.
Currently, I am doing M.Sc. Applied Clinical Psychology from the University of Bath. It was ranked 6th overall in the UK and is ranked #3 for Psychology, just below The University of Cambridge. Getting the chance to qualify for and attend such a prestigious institution has been an honour in itself. Despite the academically intensive nature of my Masters programme, I have had the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities. I am one of the Post Graduate Student Ambassadors. It is a paid role that allows me to plan and organise many of the outreach activities and campus events. One of my most memorable jobs as a PG ambassador was conducting an Instagram Takeover for the university. It was a live event with over 2000 viewers, where I answered questions and gave advice to new and prospective students about studying at UOB. I am currently working on my research project as a part of my Masters' dissertation on Eating Disorder pathologies and their interventions in men. I am really looking forward to my graduation in December and to keep progressing in my journey to become a clinical psychologist.
Aishwarya Chaudhary (2016)
I am currently a freshman at the University of St. Thomas, which is in Minnesota, USA where I am doing my undergraduate studies in Neuroscience. I am also working as a research assistant and am a part of the Ignite Scholars program under UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program). The research program requires extensive analysis and deep study. My mentor is writing a book and my job as his assistant is to read each and every chapter thoroughly, research and experiment on the topics he has picked, and finally, edit to give a final draft.
As a part of extra-curricular activity, I am an active member of a University podcast my friends and I are running. In the podcast, we invite guests to talk about various topics ranging from, as general as what music means to them, to as philosophical as to how they interpret the word 'Independence', and whether or not it should come with restraint. The members of the podcast are people from different faiths which helps us understand how the views of people from different cultures and religions vary on these general and complex topics.
I am also part of the Diversity Activity Board (DAB) and Student Diversity and Inclusion Services (SDIS) where I am a Linkages Mentor. My work concerns supporting people of colour and First-Generation Students and representing them at events or when a discrimination-related issue manifests.I am my University’s International Student Ambassador (ISA) which is another leadership position where I represent all the International students in my University, manage and host events and help them whenever they need me. As an alumna of Billabong High International School, I can proudly state that it is the place where I learnt to juggle academics with extra-curricular activities because of which my life now appears as a judicious blend of the two.
Isha Nitish Gadkari (2018)
I am a proud alumna (Class of 2016) of Billabong High International School, Bhopal. I am currently in my senior year pursuing a degree in B.A. Economics at the University of British Columbia in Canada. While I left Billabong four years ago, Billabong lives in me every single day. From providing me with the best and most holistic education to instilling in me the confidence to conquer the world, Billabong has equipped me with the tools to take on any challenge with a smile.
At UBC, I am the recipient of the Arts International Student Scholarship 2019-2020, awarded to a select few students with the ability to make a scholarly contribution in their field. In 2019, I was one of the 30 students selected in the UBC Arts Department to present our research at the Arts Student Research and Writing Conference. I also serve as the Senior Economics Mentor for the Economics Student Association and the Managing Editor for the IONA Journal of Economics. Recently, I have published my own nonfiction research-based book titled Britain In My Backyard, which discusses the future of our globalized world.
Today, as I recount these achievements, I realize yet again that I would not be here if it was not for the unwavering support I received from my teachers and the entire Billabong family. Billabong provided me the stage to present my writing to a larger audience and always encouraged me to explore writing further. This school has been my strength every step of the way. The relationships I built here with my teachers, friends and the entire Billabong community, extend beyond the walls of the school and lend me strength in my darkest hours. I am beyond honoured to call Billabong High International School, Bhopal, my alma mater and hope that in the years to come I can continue to make Billabong proud.
Yumna Urfi (2016)
I’m currently in the process of getting my Private Pilot License (PPL) from Arizona, US. On completing this, I will pursue instrument rating and then finally graduate to Commercial Pilot Training. I’ve recently developed a liking for aerobatic and recreational flying in Arizona and I look forward to learning some of it in the latter stage of my training.
Syed Anas Ali (2016)
Member of Robotics club, Aerospace club, and Computer Science club. Work on software for kiosks in Brigman women's hospital in Boston.
Treksh Marwaha (2016)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester
Robotics engineering and computer science double major (RBE and CS)
Studying law has helped me understand society better, it allows me look at things from a new perspective - an integrated course like BA.LLB. (Hons.) has students studying political science theories while analysing the current Indian criminal law system- a fascinating blend.
As part of law college extra-curricular, we have ‘moot courts’ – mock court scenarios where students are given a legal and factual matrix, and they defend their clients in front of panels of esteemed judges and academicians. I have taken part in international law moot courts, wherein countries are our clients, and we deal with fluctuating international laws. I’ve participated in debates and am the Quiz Secretary of my college, and a member of the Law Review Board.
I’ve interned with NGOs and women’s rights lawyers, along with continuing my passion for foreign languages - I’m now well versed in Japanese and Spanish.
NLIU neighbours the small village of Mendori, and I tutor students at a local school there. NLIU recently witnessed a remarkable, peaceful, student led protest against the tyrannical administration, which the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh took cognizance of, and I helped organize this protest, contributing to the media wing by giving live interviews etc.
Iravati Singh (2015)
I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California, where I was a Resident Assistant, member of a leadership fraternity, and a public speaking teaching volunteer, among other things. I now work at a feminist, intersectional, and rights-based organization in New Delhi called The YP Foundation (TYPF). At TYPF, I am the Program Coordinator for the Safe Abortions For Everyone (SAFE) Programme which is aimed at research and advocacy on abortion stigma among young people in India. I am also an Advisory Committee Member and the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Associate at the Youth Leadership Hub for HCD Exchange, an organisation working at the intersection of human-centred design and adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Ipsa Agnani (2015)
I am the Lead Analyst of the Finance Society and Treasurer of the Astronomy Society in college. In addition to that, I am part of a team that is initiating a programme that collects all the leftover food from the college canteens and passes it on to the homeless. I currently teach microeconomics to the undergraduates in college. On a personal level to pursue my interests I am part of the equestrian club and a research community that competes in research challenges across Ireland.
Jigisha Verma (2014)
