Meet the CIRCA Team! Ishan Abhisheki, Research Consultant

What’s your favourite thing about working at CIRCA?
I enjoy working at CIRCA because of the supportive and collaborative environment that has been created and fostered by the whole team. Everyone at CIRCA is kind and encouraging, which inspires me to do my best every day. I am also proud of the fact that in working with CIRCA, I am able to create a small but meaningful difference in the wider CALD and Aboriginal communities in Australia. Also, I thrive in a fast-paced work environment, and CIRCA offers me just that.

What drew you to working in this space originally?
I have always been fascinated with the way people and cultures intersect and their influence on our society. One of my earliest memories as a kid was reading through an encyclopedia that provided insights into each country, its people, the food, culture, and the way of life. This inspired me to step out of the country and be involved in a multicultural and diverse space at a global level. Even now, I enjoy conversing with people from different countries and understanding their socio-cultural backgrounds, their life, their motivations, and their beliefs.

Favourite travel spot and why:
My trip to Tokyo stands out as one of my most unforgettable experiences to date. The city’s vibrant energy, its people, the culinary delights it offered, and the remarkable efficiency of its public transport system left me utterly fascinated. While I had heard about Sushi before, it was in Tokyo, at the age of 19, that I had the chance to not only try it but also make my very own Sushi for the first time. The experience was both exciting and delicious, and it added a special culinary memory to my trip. Another unique aspect of Tokyo that caught my attention was the use of lifelike wax replicas of menu items displayed by many restaurants in their windows. It was a creative and effective way to showcase their offerings and piqued my curiosity. Leaving Tokyo was bittersweet. I departed with a treasure trove of lifelong memories and a strong desire to return and explore the rest of the country.