The auditorium was alive with energy as graduates in caps and gowns celebrated with their families, cameras clicking to capture every moment. Among them stood Xin and Fan Yang, holding their baby, making this event more than a graduation—it was a milestone of their shared journey.
“We never planned for this to happen,” Xin shared. “When I started my MBA at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) in January 2021, my husband Fan had already been studying for a year. We assumed our graduations would be at different times.”
Fate had a different plan.
Fan reflected, “I joined UOWD in 2020 for Financial Management and MBA. At the time, Xin was working as an airline accountant, but the pandemic had grounded flights. I encouraged her to enroll, saying, ‘This is the perfect time to pursue your degree.’”
Xin took on the challenge, but the path wasn’t easy. “I had to start learning English from scratch,” she said. “It was tough, but Fan motivated me. He told me to watch YouTube videos, practice, and never give up. He’s been my biggest supporter.”
The couple’s shared dream turned into a reality. They spent countless hours in the library, side by side, helping each other with coursework. “Those were some of our best moments,” Xin said. “It was just the two of us working toward our goals together.”
A Graduation with a Baby
In 2022, life threw them a surprise when Xin found out she was pregnant. “It was overwhelming at first,” Fan admitted. “We were managing work and studies, and now a baby was on the way. But we took it step by step.”
Xin paused her studies for one term to focus on her pregnancy. Their baby was born in June 2023, adding joy and responsibility to their lives. “Those months were tough but unforgettable,” Xin said. “We weren’t just building our careers; we were building our family.”
Initially, their graduations were scheduled months apart—Fan finished in January 2024, while Xin completed hers in May. “We expected separate ceremonies,” Xin said. “But in January, the university announced a combined ceremony in October.”
The news was a dream come true. “We couldn’t believe it,” Fan said. “Graduating together was beyond what we had imagined.”
On the big day, their baby and Xin’s mother joined them for photos, marking the culmination of their hard work and resilience. “Having our baby in the graduation photos made it so special,” Xin said. “It wasn’t just about us—it was about our family.”
Fan summed it up, “Life doesn’t always go as planned. Studying together, becoming parents, and now graduating together—it’s been challenging, beautiful, and unforgettable.”
A Love Story on Campus
Another heartwarming journey unfolded at UOWD with Shruti Ganesh and Vineet Garmella, who were both pursuing a Master’s in Marketing. “We met in class during our semesters,” Shruti said. Initially in different groups, their shared passion for marketing brought them closer. “We would review each other’s assignments and give feedback. That’s how we grew to respect each other’s work.”
As the semester ended, their friendship turned into love. “We discovered we were compatible beyond academics,” Shruti said. “Our shared values and common language, Telugu, deepened our bond.”
Shruti recalled being impressed by Vineet’s approach to a consumer behavior assignment. “His perspective was unique, and it made me admire him more,” she said. Vineet, in turn, fondly remembered a moment when Shruti unknowingly described qualities he sought in a life partner—qualities she herself embodied.
Their relationship blossomed, balancing Vineet’s playful side with his sense of responsibility. “I wasn’t just looking for a life partner; I wanted a best friend,” Shruti said.
Their engagement was filled with fun, as Vineet used Pokémon balls for the rings—a playful nod to his personality. The couple shared a touching moment during their graduation, as their names were called one after the other. They plan to marry in February.
From Classmates to Life Partners
For Azam Chirag and Ayesha Azam, their story began in school, though they never met back then. “We attended the same school but in separate classrooms,” Azam said. Years later, they reconnected when they both joined the same college.
Starting with exchanging notes, their friendship grew. “We became close over time and decided to get married,” Azam said. “There was some resistance from my family initially, but after 13 years, she is now the best daughter-in-law and sister-in-law in the house.”
The couple, now parents of three, reflect on how their journey from classmates to life partners shaped their lives.
