UQ graduate, Gabrielle Hall, knows better than most the value of global experiences when it comes to career opportunities.
Gabrielle, who participated in a UQ Abroad exchange to Chile in 2011, never imagined that her exchange experience would lead to employment with the Embassy of Uruguay, and would see her organising an Australia-wide film festival.
“Initially I chose to participate in the exchange program because I wanted to improve my Spanish language skills and was keen to travel to new places. However, my time in Chile has changed my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined,” Gabrielle said.
After returning from her exchange, Gabrielle continued to develop networks with Latin Americans, and was invited to participate in a discussion panel at the UQ Latin American Forum to talk about her exchange experience.
“A few of the Latin American Ambassadors attended the Forum, and when the Ambassador of Uruguay announced that he was looking for an intern, I jumped at the chance to apply,” Gabrielle said.
“I moved to Canberra in November 2011 for what I thought was a short term internship in the Embassy, but after a couple of months as an unpaid intern, I was contracted full-time as Personal Assistant to the Ambassador.
“My main responsibilities are to manage the schedule of the Ambassador, organise cultural events for the Embassy as well as liaise with other Latin American Embassies for group events, address any consular matters, manage finances, attend receptions, and operate in Spanish from 9 til 5.”
Gabrielle recently worked with Susan Chiriboga, Deputy Head of Mission from the Embassy of Ecuador, to co-ordinate The 8th Latin American Film Festival, one of the major joint cultural projects that involves all the Latin American Embassies.
The festival, which was launched in Canberra in April earlier this year, has since travelled to Melbourne, Darwin and Adelaide, and will screen in Brisbane this week from Thursday, 11 October until Sunday, 14 October in Room 206 of the Steele Building.
The opening film “El Baño del Papa” is from Uruguay and the Uruguayan Ambassador, HE Mr Alberto Fajardo, will be speaking at the Opening Ceremony.
For Gabrielle, who is considering an international career in public relations or event management and plans to return to university next year to do a postgraduate diploma in international relations, the experience has been invaluable.
“This opportunity has allowed me to get my foot in the door, and I hope that my experience and contacts I have made since working in the Embassy will help me to pursue a career in Latin America,” Gabrielle said.
“For other students wanting an international career and would like to use their second language as a primary tool to do so, I would strongly encourage them to embrace every opportunity available – exchange, internships, volunteering – and make an effort to establish friendships with international students studying at UQ.
“The challenge though, like deciding to go on exchange in the first place, is to be brave, take the chance and make the most of it,” she said.
UQ students can participate in a range of global experiences including UQ Abroad, short term programs, study tours, conferences, internships and volunteer placements.
UQ students wanting to go on exchange in Semester 2, 2013 must submit their application to UQ Abroad by 5pm, Wednesday 31 October.
Media: Georgia Mitchell (07 3346 0626 or georgia.mitchell@uq.edu.au)
