Where is your home country?

China

What languages do you speak?

Mandarin and English

What do you study?

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Where do you study?

University of Technology Sydney

Tell us about your experience studying in NSW.

Studying here for nearly 5 years, Sydney has been a major part of my life to date, and I feel like it is my second hometown. This journey has been much more fruitful than what I expected at the beginning. Acquiring knowledge is only a part of it. More importantly, exploring beyond the study is the pathway for me to improve my communication and professional skills, which in turn, helps me learn better and have more access to a variety of resources and opportunities. Despite the disruption of COVID-19 during these unprecedented times, my life here has not come to an end, and I am still actively looking forward to having more experiences here.

What has been your favourite experience in NSW?

There are many experiences I love here in Sydney, but perhaps the one I like most is that I can help or work with other international students.

Take the International Student Welcoming Desk by Study NSW as an example. During that experience, I was able to work with some local and international students welcoming new incoming international students at the airport, handed out welcoming kits and answered a variety of questions from them. It was really a unique experience to be part of, being the first group of people that new international students talked to upon their arrival at Sydney, and I was glad to welcome them to this amazing city and helped them out in case they had any questions.

There are also other occasions that I had the chance to do something similar, like worked as mentor at Peer Mentoring Program at UTS to lead new international students to their university journey, as well as my recent internship at Sydney Alliance in organising activities for diverse international students.

What advice do you have for other international students?

Different international students can have different ways of approaching their studies and lives in the country, but the key thing is, once you get accustomed to your essential living here, it’s also time to explore more. You may explore it through challenging subjects in the university, travelling around and taking road trips, attending volunteering activities or taking on some work experience, just follow what you feel suits you most or when you think you need those experience.

Any type of exploration would be good, and you will find yourselves improve a lot after all. Also, if you are not sure about your passion at the beginning of your study here, you may find it along the journey, which is incredibly critical.

What opportunities has studying in NSW given to you?

When I was deciding the place where I would pursue my university degree in, Australia attracted me not only because it’s beautiful scenery but also it has one of the best universities in the area I specialise in, and I was able to choose something that I like.

There are always opportunities when I am trying to seek further education after start studying here in Sydney. I have attended many volunteering and mentorship program across the university, including the International Student Welcoming Desk hosted by Study NSW at Sydney International Airport prior the pandemic, and I also had the chances to explore my professional career by attending internship and career fair, as well as gaining work experience through part-time job and some casual work in the university.