From China to London, University of Queensland students have been getting a global experience during the winter break, with UQ Abroad’s new short-term programs.
The pilot phase of UQ’s short-term mobility project was launched earlier this year and saw 80 students travel overseas to enhance their academic studies, develop their skills and expand their global networks.
Bachelor of Commerce and Economics student Elliot Johnson of St Lucia took part in the program, travelling to the Chinese University Hong Kong International Summer School for an intensive international finance course.
“I participated in a UQ Abroad short-term program to experience new things, learn about different cultures and make friends from around the world,” Mr Johnson said.
“Since arriving last weekend I've been out for drinks in the city with UQ alumni now working in Hong Kong and explored the Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok street markets.”
He received New Colombo Plan Mobility funding to subside the cost of the experience.
Bachelor of Arts/Law student Rohan Watt said his short-term program at the London School of Economics and Political Science had given him a broader perspective of what he would like to do post-graduation.
“I studied Advanced Negotiation and Mediation, a subject that’s not on offer at UQ this year,” he said.
“Being able to learn about this and study in London for a month has been an invaluable experience.”
UQ Advantage Office Director Dr Dino Willox said students who engaged with global experiences during their time at UQ were highly sought-after by employers.
“There is a strong nexus between short-term programs and employability, in that the former feeds skills to enhance the latter: employers are not only looking for graduates who have developed problem-solving and organisational skills, but who can also show evidence of their capacity to engage with a variety of activities locally and internationally in an open, reflective and curious manner,” Dr Willox said.
There are 30 UQ approved short-term programs available during the UQ summer break, from December 2015 to March 2016.
These opportunities are both credit and non-credit bearing and include overseas winter schools, internship opportunities and humanitarian development activities.
The UQ Advantage Office also supports student engagement in short-term programs through UQ Advantage Award recognition, and funding allocation including UQ Advantage Grants.
Students should apply for a short-term program by 10 September.
For more information visit: http://www.uq.edu.au/uqadvantage/short-term-programs or contact Gael Bateman at uqabroad@uq.edu.au or on +61 7 3365 54978.
Media: Brittany Macdougall, b.macdougall@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 0655
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