Ida Anggraeni - Bachelor of Applied Science
Indonesia

UQ uses the latest technology and provides students with good learning facilities. The lecturers are friendly and professional and they do not only impart knowledge, but they do it in an interesting way.

Because I study at Gatton campus, it is very convenient for me to live in the halls of residence. There are plenty of activities available for students at the halls. From residential sport that is held once a week, to themed parties every Wednesday or the Gatton International Student Association (GISA) where you can meet students that have also come from far away.

At UQ I have had the chance to meet people from all over the world. The university has a very rich cultural mix – not only friendly Aussies, but also humorous Irish, kind Arabians, pleasant Koreans, and many others. All staff at UQ are very helpful, especially to those students whose first language is not English.

Brisbane offers an ideal environment for students. It is not a busy place, and is quite relaxed and peaceful.

There is, for example, South Bank which is a great place for meeting with friends, the Gold Coast if you are looking for extreme sports and an adrenaline rush or the Mount Coo-tha look-out from where you have a beautiful view over the city of Brisbane.

Brisbane is very multicultural which is really comforting when you live thousands of kilometres away from home.

Min Hui Lee - Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management
Singapore

Personally, I chose UQ because it has gained recognition and is ranked in top 100 universities worldwide.

1. Why did you decide to study in Australia and specifically at UQ?

Australia is a peaceful environment for education and as published in Forbes, Australians are voted the friendliest people on earth.

2. Is studying in Australia what you expected it to be and why/why not?

Studying in Australia is very different from what I have expected. Singaporeans tend to create the perception that an Australian degree is  easier to attain however, it requires a high amount of discipline and hard work.

3. What do you enjoy about your program and why?

The program is highly interactive. During winter, I participated in Tourism field studies and had a chance to visit amazing places from an educational perspective.

This program allowed me  to make plenty of friends and see the world from a different angle.

Additionally, the course gave me the opportunity to place myself in an Executive Shadowing Program which allowed me to build rapport with industry leaders.

4. What would you like to do after graduation and what skills have you gained from your program which will allow you to pursue your goal?

Being in this program has gained me great exposure and knowledge hence I would like to bring my skills into practice for my future hospitality career.

Felix Kong - Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)
Singapore

1. Why did you decide to study in Australia and specifically at UQ?

I decided to come to Australia as it is a safe, multicultural country with friendly people that embrace others from diverse cultures and societies. I wanted to experience life in a different culture and gain exposure in a vibrant environment such as Australia’s. I chose to pursue my bachelor’s degree in UQ due to its worldwide reputation as a founding member of the prestigious ‘Group of 8’, and the international recognition of the quality of degrees offered as UQ constantly ranks as one of the top universities in the world.

2. Is studying in Australia what you expected it to be and why/why not?

Studying in Australia is not exactly what I envisioned in the beginning. I expected to be cooped up in my room hitting the books all day and all night, from the start of the semester right up to the last day of the final exams at the end of the semester. However, while I indeed spent an abundant amount of time buried in books, I actually found time to explore the city and its surrounding areas, hang out with uni mates, indulge in sports and leisure activities, and essentially lead a well-balanced lifestyle, which made life here in Australia extremely enjoyable.

3. What do you enjoy about your program and why?

Having completed a Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management in Temasek Poly, the most enjoyable part of undertaking my Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) program has to be the introduction to courses relatively new to me, and the great array of knowledge I gain every day from lecturers, all of whom with vast professional experience. Courses that provide me with valuable knowledge and skills that I can apply in my daily life, like Financial Management, are particularly stimulating.

4. What would you like to do after graduation and what skills have you gained from your program which will allow you to pursue your goal?

It is my wish to pursue a career with an industry leader in the finance sector in the future. The knowledge I acquired from the program has given me a much better understanding of how the industry works, and tips and experiences shared by lecturers have provided me with a greater awareness of what is expected of me and what I should expect as a graduate. With those, combined with hard work and diligence, I hope to succeed in reaching my ultimate goal.

Keng Yiam Ng - Bachelor of Information Technology
Singapore

Technology changes extremely fast but unlike other universities’ IT programs which may follow market trends, UQ focuses on building up the student’s foundations, researching the industry’s needs and teaching in-depth principles behind topics. 

I graduated in July 2008 and join Ernst and Young Advisory Singapore as a Junior Risk Consultant. With a strong foundation in IT, I am able to pick up new innovations easily as the underlying principles of technologies are always similar.

Currently, I am a Senior Risk Consultant and my job scope includes (but isn’t limited to) consulting clients such as major prominent international Banks and Government agencies in the areas of vulnerability assessment, information security management and compliance audit. 

Weiyi Tan - Bachelor in International Studies
Singapore

The University of Queensland, being renowned and consistently ranked well in international university ranking, naturally became my top choice. 

1. Why did you decide to study in Australia and specifically at UQ?

One of the reasons influencing my decision to study in Australia is its proximity to Singapore. Furthermore, I have had several extended family members and friends who have studied in Australia, whom have taken to, and praised its quality of education. The University of Queensland, being renowned and consistently ranked well in international university ranking, naturally became my top choice. In addition, UQ has a robust support system for international students in place, and also emphasizes diversity. 

2. Is studying in Australia what you expected it to be and why/why not?

When my first semester of studies commenced, all fear and apprehension disappeared, owing in part to the support provided by both UQ and my peers. Studying here has proved enjoyable as I have met many people from diverse backgrounds. In addition, there is adequate time for students to relax during term breaks and to explore Australia's landscape and wilderness - something which can never be replicated in Singapore. 

3. What do you enjoy about your program and why?

I am currently doing a Bachelor in International Studies, and have a double major in Peace and Conflict Studies and Bahasa Indonesian. I will strongly recommend this degree programme as it has proved immensely enjoyable. Lecture material encourages critical thinking and can often be linked to real issues currently plaguing the world; having an understanding and being able to interpret global issues in context is crucial in this era of globalisation. On top of the highly interactive and engaging syllabus, part of the degree programme is a compulsory exchange semester abroad, which will further encourage students like myself to broaden our worldviews. I have planned to go on exchange in Indonesia next semester, and am really looking forward to it!

4. What would you like to do after graduation and what skills have you gained from your program which will allow you to pursue your goal?

I would like to explore specialised tracks in the field of humanitarian relief and post-conflict reconstruction. My time in UQ has exponentially increased my interest in global issues, especially those which revolve around the conflict environment. The syllabus is structured to allowed the development of critical thinking skills and articulation, which are highly relevant regardless of career path. In addition, I have developed a keen curiosity and a nuanced understanding regarding the causes of global issues, which is a good foundation for any NGO or volunteer work I hope to take up in the future.

Daniel Koh Ji En - Bachelor of Arts (double major in Sociology and International Relations)
Singapore

1. Why did you decide to study in Australia and specifically at UQ?

All my life I've been studying in my home country of Singapore, and I wanted to expand my horizons. I chose Australia because I felt it could offer me both quality education, and a chance to experience life outside of my comfort zone. The University of Queensland is a renowned, respectable university, and I know many people who have studied or are currently students there. It has a good international standing, and I believed it could provide me with a respectable and recognised degree.

2. Is studying in Australia what you expected it to be and why/why not?

Studying in Australia thus far has indeed been a pleasure, and the pace of life here is a welcome break from the intense and competitive Singaporean lifestyle. I love the culture here, the people are friendly and made me feel right at home. I get an awesome work/ life balance, and I certainly look forward to the rest of my educational journey here.

3. What do you enjoy about your program and why?

I'm doing a double major in Sociology and International Relations, and it has certainly been an eye opener for me. The lecturers are friendly and full of encouragement, lessons are interactive and lively. I enjoy the level of involvment and participation, and it makes me want to actively engage in learning.

4.  What would you like to do after graduation and what skills have you gained from your program which will allow you to pursue your goal?

I have a career with the Singapore Armed Forces, and so far, I do feel that whatever I've learnt is relevant and applicable to my profession. My time in UQ has definitely opened my mind and expanded my horizons, and I've learnt how to express my thoughts and feelings on a whole new level. I've become more inquisitive and thorough, and my ability to think critically and systematically has been enhanced. These skill sets will definitely be of use for the rest of my career and beyond that as well.
 

Gurion Ang - Bachelor of Science (Zoology)
Singapore

Zoology might be an unconventional route to take for a Singaporean, but the program at UQ successfully amalgamates the fascinating world of animals with their biomedical, agricultural and conservation applications to produce graduates with a dimensionless range of career and further study options.

I believe in a broad-based education, and so I feel a calling to teach in the future. What can be more rewarding than helping others learn, while learning yourself? UQ’s broad-based academic system which encouraged me to undertake a complementarity of courses will definitely give me good standing for a career in education.

The best thing about UQ has got to be the fair advantage every student gets to participate in the wide range of activities it offers. I’m about to start a Summer Research Program where I get to work with moths and wasps (I love insects!).