An Australian Adventure for ICMS Romanian Graduate

Graduating in Australia at the October 25 ICMS Graduation was the result of an adventure that began far from the Northern Beaches for postgraduate student Anamaria Mihaescu.

“Ana, the girl from Romania who thought moving to Australia would be a fun little adventure… and somehow ended up here, graduating!” she said in her speech, connecting instantly with fellow students who knew what it meant to leap into the unknown.

“Thank you, ICMS, for helping me take this leap of faith and moving halfway across the world with nothing but two suitcases and a dream of becoming the best version of myself.

“I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Making the Most of Every Opportunity

Throughout her time at ICMS, Ana went well beyond the classroom.

She learned her craft in event planning and marketing, diving into hands-on roles at GABS Festival, Heineken Experience, and GOTO Conferences.

She left her mark as Head of Events with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and earned the Postgraduate Innovation Scholarship twice: recognition of her willingness to step up and support those around her.

Her contributions to the ICMS community were further recognised when she was awarded the prestigious Val McMorran Award, given to a student who embodies the college motto of ‘Vision, Integrity and Purpose’ through leadership and inspiring others.

Real Talk and Resilience

With honesty and a bit of laughter, Ana described the realities of student life.

“A big thank you to the ICMS bus,” she said, “because nothing tests your determination like climbing this hill in heels and corporate attire.”

Her journey was more than lectures and assessments: “When I moved halfway across the world, I thought I was just starting a degree. But the universe handed me a key, one that opened a whole new chapter of who I could become.”

Stepping into Industry Leadership

After graduating from ICMS with a Master of Event Management, Ana has carried her passion for events into her professional life.

She now works as Director of Event Technology at Encore APAC in Sydney, where she oversees the latest event tech solutions and brings teams together to deliver seamless experiences for clients across the region.

Her work allows her to combine creativity with operational excellence, supporting others to shine and events to run smoothly. This position is a natural fit for someone who thrives on innovation, teamwork, and helping others grow, values Ana developed and championed during her time at ICMS.

Looking Ahead with Optimism

As graduation approached, Ana admitted, “Some days, I think I could stay a student forever: no taxes, no rent… and definitely not Sydney rent!”

Still, she reminded her classmates that real growth isn’t about leaving the past behind, but “carrying its magic with us into whatever comes next.”

She closed with a Romanian saying close to her heart: “Viața bate filmul (life beats the movies).

“I truly hope that’s the kind of life each of us will live after today.”

Congratulations to Ana and the Class of 2025 as they move forward, ready to create the next chapter.