Three UQ students are China-bound on scholarships

Reading 10,000 books is not as useful as travelling 10,000 miles, says a Chinese proverb, and three University of Queensland students are taking the advice to heart.

Jaya Prasad, Zackary George and Augustus Evans-Barns will study in China for a semester in 2017, after each being awarded $12,000 Westpac Asian Exchange scholarships, which support students to study at leading Asian universities.

The scholarship is designed to allow students to develop a deeper understanding of Asia’s role in Australia's future prosperity through academic study and cultural immersion.

Ms Prasad, a Bachelor of Laws/Economics student who will be studying at Peking University in Beijing, says she hopes the experience will increase her future employability by giving her a deeper understanding of Chinese business and culture.

“My ultimate goal is to work in the energy and resources sector in a legal capacity, and utilise that role in a context that creates a bridge for transactions between Australian and Chinese businesses,” she said.

“By understanding how Chinese people and Chinese business work, as well as learning its history and culture, I can better understand how my future career aspirations will be formed.”

Mr George, a Bachelor of Laws/Commerce student who also will be studying at Peking University, said the Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship was an incredible initiative that had brought alive his dreams of studying in China.

“Without the scholarship, I would have struggled to pay for my exchange to China and certainly would not have been able to undertake an internship given that most are unpaid,” he said.

“I am looking forward to gaining a greater insight into Chinese culture, especially business customs and practices. You can only learn so much about culture in the classroom – the rest comes from immersion.”

Bachelor of Commerce/Economics student Mr Evans-Barns, who will be studying at TsingHua University in Beijing, said he was excited about the networking opportunities, professionally and personally.

“TsingHua is China’s most prestigious university with a very long history,” he said.

“I expect to gain a large network of contacts who will be important in developing my future career.

“I am looking forward to living in China, taking on new challenges and experiences, and learning more about the Chinese student lifestyle compared to the Australian experience, by studying side by side with Chinese students.”

During their time in China, the students will participate in a range of volunteer and extra-curricular activities including internships and networking opportunities.

UQ students can apply for a Westpac Asian exchange scholarship until 15 January 2017.

For more information on the Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship and other global study opportunities, contact UQ Abroad, +61 (7) 3365 2836, uqabroad@uq.edu.au.