University of Queensland student Terry Vo has taken a major step in her quest to become an international diplomat.
She is one of 15 students from UQ who have been named as 2013 Brisbane International Student Ambassadors by Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
For the first time in the program’s history, students from Cambodia, El Salvador and Italy have been included in the selection.
Ms Vo, from the United States of America, said the best thing about her appointment was the opportunity to learn about and experience Brisbane in a unique way that would not be otherwise possible.
“My dream career is to become a Foreign Service Officer (diplomat) for the US Department of State.
“The program aims to show us Australian culture and the multicultural landscape of Brisbane,” she said.
“The Study Brisbane Ambassador program allows me to interact with fellow Ambassadors from all over the world and gives me an opportunity to learn about their customs, culture, and languages, preparing me for future encounters with international delegates.
“As an ambassador, sharing my American culture allows me to reflect on how important it is to understand my heritage and represent my country to the very best of my ability.
“Already, the program has allowed me to assist in activities with the Lord Mayor of Brisbane such as the International Student Friendship Ceremony.
“I am certain that the skills I am acquiring from the program will assist me in my future career in government,” she said.
The Ambassador program is managed by the Brisbane Marketing Study Brisbane team and aims to create global advocates for the city of Brisbane.
Throughout the year the ambassadors will promote Brisbane as a study destination, sharing their experiences via social media and offering an honest and open account about living and studying in Brisbane.
The ambassadors will participate in range of local experiences such as attending a Brisbane Broncos game, feeding dolphins at Tangalooma, visiting the Gallery of Modern Art, touring the EKKA and much more.
They will be interviewed by media, volunteer at multicultural events and assist in hosting official delegations.
UQ Study Brisbane Student Ambassadors are: Xiaohan Qiao (China), Ha Le (Vietnam), Ebrahim Khalil (Saudi Arabia), Dhina Mutiara Kartikasari (Indonesia), Kyu Mo Yang (South Korea), Ploi Kerativirachkarn (Thailand), Rubens Copia Sperandio (Brazil), Chun-Sing Chan (Hong Kong), Ryoko Yahagi (Japan), Diego Montiel (Spain), Ines Valenzuela (Peru) and Terry Vo (USA), Panhanon No (Cambodia), Sofia Rodriguez (El Salvador) and Corrado Zocchi (Italy).
Media: Tegan Radford Beer, UQ International Marketing and Recruitment, 07 3346 7632 / t.radfordbeer@uq.edu.au
