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![Woman sitting indoors on a couch](/content/auckland/en/study/international-students/meet-our-international-students/phd-student-stories/_jcr_content/firstGrid/par2/subflexicomponentlin/image.img.480.low.jpg/1718075334541.jpg)
After completing Bachelor and Masters degrees in her home country of Sri Lanka, Asha is currently pursuing a PhD in Politics and International Relations.
Asha's story![Smiling man holding a starfish at an indoor rock pool](/content/auckland/en/study/international-students/meet-our-international-students/phd-student-stories/_jcr_content/par/linkspagetemplategri/par1/subflexicomponentlin/image.img.480.low.jpg/1719803087865.jpg)
Originally from the United States, Jeff is pursuing his PhD in Marine Science and is based at the Leigh Marine Laboratory, roughly 100kms north of Auckland.
Jeff's story![Smiling woman standing in an open space](/content/auckland/en/study/international-students/meet-our-international-students/phd-student-stories/_jcr_content/par/linkspagetemplategri/par2/subflexicomponentlin/image.img.480.low.jpg/1719803179379.jpg)
Hailing from Indonesia, Annisa was motivated to choose the University of Auckland for the tailored programmes that combine multidisciplinary learning with industry needs. She is completing a PhD in Civil Engineering.
Annisa's story![Woman standing in front of pink hydrangeas amongst the greenery](/content/auckland/en/study/international-students/meet-our-international-students/phd-student-stories/_jcr_content/par/linkspagetemplategri_1224904071/par1/subflexicomponentlin/image.img.480.low.jpg/1718075625020.jpg)
Shuchismita comes from India and is pursuing a PhD in Social Work under the Faculty of Education and Social Work. She previously completed a Master’s in Social Work in Clinical and Community Practice from Christ University, Bangalore, and has work experience in non-profit organisations in India.
Shuchismita's story![](/content/auckland/en/study/international-students/meet-our-international-students/phd-student-stories/_jcr_content/par/linkspagetemplategri_1224904071/par2/subflexicomponentlin_1416675999/image.img.480.low.jpg/1575236606265.jpg)
Diego is from Mexico and is studying for his PhD in Civil Engineering. Diego was awarded a Conacyt scholarship to study in New Zealand.
Read more![PhD candidate Stephanie Segovia](/content/auckland/en/study/international-students/meet-our-international-students/phd-student-stories/_jcr_content/par/linkspagetemplategri_443307494/par1/flexiyoutube/image.img.480.low.jpg/1622076540820.jpg)
Dr Stephanie Segovia
Canadian doctoral candidate Stephanie Segovia explains her research focus, why she picked the Liggins Institute and what she likes about life in Auckland.