Samuel designs cars, prints in 3D and learns to surf

Hi, my name is Samuel Pardi and I am from Venezuela. I came to Australia wanting to achieve a higher level of education and to have international experience in the design industry.

On my trip to these goals I started with 10 weeks of English for Academic Purposes at the Waterfront Campus in Geelong. I was eager to experience new situations and cultures, and I feel I was blessed for choosing an English course in Geelong. DUELI in Geelong offers small classes that allow for more interaction between students and the lecturer. I met very fun and easy-going people from different cultures that I still am in contact with.

I have to say that I felt sad to leave the English course behind because I was so comfortable there, and the staff were so friendly and awesome. However, starting a master’s was an important experience for me to start developing new skills that made me feel more self-aware of my abilities in the engineering field. For instance, I had to design the suspension of a university race car within a team, and coming up with a working solution and seeing the real-life application was a boost to our confidence. Now I am keener to have an opportunity in the design industry in Australia.

I cannot say my master’s has been an easy course but I like it so far. I have improved in areas that I thought were not possible to improve, such as my communication skills and my leadership skills. Of course, I have chosen subjects that I feel will have more impact in my career, such as Engineering Leadership. Right now, I am doing my engineering project on 3D printing of titanium, which is highly related to the aerospace and biomedical industries. I am also preparing to apply for an internship for Trimester 1 of 2016. I hope to get the opportunity to start experiencing industry-related projects and to start showing my abilities as an engineer, especially the skills that I have developed at Deakin.

With my previous experience in Venezuela and an internship in Australia, more and better opportunities are around the corner for new and challenging positions within competitive industries. Nevertheless, participating in research and development teams, and being able to influence others with my personality and experience are one of my short-term objectives. As a long term-objective, I would like to create my own company with some ideas that I have developed during my master’s, and also influence society with products that are sustainable and sensible to community needs.

Although studying is important, having fun and enjoying life is what motivate us. So I also decided to try to surf and experience that environment. Of course, some of my friends were having a laugh at me because I was falling all the time. It is not as easy as it seems. But I definitely enjoy surfing, and I am going to keep trying this summer.

I want to conclude this post by telling you that anything is possible. I come from a developing country with a poor economy. I did not have many resources but I have kept fighting for my goals. I have been working part-time, studying, practicing English every day, and I still have time to enjoy my weekends and get good grades.

For further information about studying at Deakin and to view the many degrees on offer, visit our international student page. Or ask us a question by visiting our international student enquiry page – we’re happy to help you get to know Deakin better.

As far as we know, Australia is a multicultural and multinational country in the world. The Australian education is pretty distinguished and it has too many advantages so that it can attract more and more people to come to study the knowledge they like. As an international student from China, I will narrate my many interesting experiences and my feelings for Australia.

So why didn't I choose the other cities in Australia but I selected Geelong? When I lived in China, the pressure of every senior high school students is very heavy. To finish my homework, I had to go to school at 6:50am and go to sleep at about 1:00 in night. So I produced an original thought-go abroad to explore a new life which is both relaxing and I can learn some utile knowledge. In my opinions, I checked some cities and towns in Australia and learnt about the information of cities. Among the cities, when I saw the beautiful sceneries and colourful cultures, I fell love in the interesting town, Geelong. I was absorbed deeply by the environment and the enthusiasm of the people. A new journey for me has extended!

 With curiosity and excitement, I got off the airplane and observed everything surrounding me. What a beautiful city! What a great way! With the tender sunshine, I saw the wonderful view in my sight. Cool and refreshing sea wind fanned my face, the feeling was like in the fairyland. The wide blue sea was like a big piece of mirror even can see all kinds of fishes were swimming.

 Geelong-a glamorous place. It takes too much invaluable memory to me. I am studying in North Geelong Secondary College and I can choose more types of classes which I am interested in. I have made friends with many people including the teachers here. They are always very amiable and if I feel bored and helpless I always make a conversation with them to release my pressure. I still remembered that when I came to GEELONG initially, I even couldn't speak with the other people mainly because my English was too weak and I didn't want to talk something. When it was difficult to deal with the  problems, there were too many people to encourage me to inspire my confidence and talk more with the others. I felt the care and warmth from my friends and determined to practice my English.

 Now, doing some sports with my friends is my favourite, meanwhile, practising my English is still the most important assignment. Talking some difficult problems with other people, watching some interesting English movies can help me how to utilize and comprehend the grammar and the vocabulary. I always listened to the customs, life as well as history of Geelong. I love the sea scenery of Geelong and almost not any contamination. With the warm sunshine and blue sky, that is a great picture!

Geelong is a very wonderful town! The location is very special because it is near many interesting places and when I have time,I can go to play with my friends and family. The simple and honest folkways are the other special traits. On the other hand, it is very near to Melbourne-the cultural centre of Australia. But Geelong has the unique quiet and it makes people very comfortable rather than the noisy of Melbourne. In Geelong, I can't find any trouble in everyday life, only relax and happiness.

I love Geelong! It is my new favourite hometown and I never forget it. Never!

Life in Kardinia International College                                                                                       

For me, it is my first time being so far away from home by myself. Living in an unfamiliar country and study makes my life full of challenge. I couldn’t tell how I exactly feel. Excited? Passionate? Confused? Or scared? However, every time when I met some problems I was able to overcome them, with the help from others and myself. Everyone in Kardinia are trying their best to make me feel like home. And I enjoy the campus, especially in spring. It is pretty to study at some place where flowers bloom. As the only child in my family, I never know how life will be with children sharing everything with me. But my homestay family gives me the opportunity to experience it. Our house is always full with children’s laughing, gigging and even crying. I love it. During the weekend, I usually hang out with my friends. We go shopping, watch movie, go rock climbing or go to some Chinese restaurant. Geelong is not as big as Melbourne, but it is such a fantastic city near by a beautiful bay. When the breeze kisses my face and brings me a salty taste, I really feel the enjoyment and peace that comes from the deep shiny ocean. I miss my family, my home and my country. But I know they would be more than happy for me if I could take a good care of myself and live happily. It is a path to independence, and I am on my way. I can see all the new challenges are waving to me. I believe the effect of hard working. And I hope everything will come through in the following year.

HUANG Luying (Ciel)

 于我而言，这是人生中第一次离家远行。待在一个陌生的国度学习让我生活充满了挑战性，而我其实并不知道该怎么去描述自己的心情。有激动，有热血，有困惑也有畏惧。然而每当我遇到困难的时候总有人支持着我，让我能够顺利渡过。而我的同学们也在用热情温暖着我，让我有家的感觉。我很喜欢春天的学校。四处花开就好像整个校园都沁进了花海。作为一个骄纵的独身子女，我从没和谁分享过自己的生活。但幸运的是，澳洲寄宿家庭为我弥补了手足之情的空缺。我们的家里随时都弥漫着孩子的欢声笑语，热闹并且温馨。在周末我经常和朋友出门购物、看电影、攀岩或者去一些中餐馆吃饭。和墨尔本不同的是，吉郎是一个秀丽的海滨小城。当我在海边散步，咸涩的海风亲吻着我的脸颊的时候，我会感受到深沉的海洋带来的安详。我很想念家里的亲人，想回家，想回国。可是我知道他们会在故乡为我的自立和成长而骄傲，他们会因为我快乐而快乐。出国是通向独立的历练，而我正在这条路上努力闯荡着。我似乎看见未来所有的挑战都在像我挥手，而我也相信着努力的力量。希望新的一年也一帆风顺。

One of the great features of studying at Marcus Oldham is meeting new, likeminded people who share a passion for agriculture industries. With small group numbers, staying on campus and the ability to talk one on one with the course lecturers, the experience at Marcus Oldham provides an excellent basis for future success.