The friendly Prospect Vale man said he made an effort not to stay inside every day upon his arrival from Nepal and instead get to know his new home.

"Don't be shy, don't try to put yourself back, come out and talk to people," he said.

"I never locked myself inside the home - I always go out and talk to people."

Mr Koirala, who was born in Bhutan, dreamt of attending university as soon as he arrived in Australia in 2009.

A TAFE course and time spent chatting to everyone he met saw his English levels and confidence rise to the point where he enrolled in the University of Tasmania's University Preparation Program.

He said the program gave him the confidence to undertake a bachelor of arts with an aim to study social work.

"It was quite helpful for a student like me, I was always scared of university, but when I came here it was kind of `Oh no, that's not bad'," he said.

On top of his assignments and part-time job at TasTAFE, Mr Koirala has had to take time to understand the Australian culture and work ethic.

"The Australian culture of work is completely different to where I come from - maybe I'm learning a culture too," Mr Koirala said.

"It's been five years now but still now I am getting trouble understanding the right or wrong thing to do."

Mr Koirala said the support he received from the Migrant Resource Centre was invaluable.

He looks forward to contributing to the migrant community.

"I want someone to be able to understand them and what they are and what their biggest challenges are," he said.

The University Preparation Program is designed particularly for mature-aged students, people who did not complete year 11 and 12 and students enrolling in a degree who are struggling.

It helps people gain additional skills, confidence and knowledge about university study before beginning a course.

Applications can be made online or through contact with the campus co-ordinator.

Click here for more information on the University Preparation Program