Celebrating International Students

Lucas Bastos de Jesus

Brazil

Bond University ( Masters of Managerial Finance )

Lucas lives the best of both worlds on the Gold Coast, giving him the chance to surf, study his Masters, and hang out with friends.

I am studying at

Bond University ( Masters of Managerial Finance )

Ana de Abreu Rosa

Brazil

TAFE ( Interior Design )

For Ana, the Gold Coast has a great lifestyle that allows her to balance work, study and play. It’s her paradise.

I am studying at

TAFE ( Interior Design )

Rika Uezono

Japan

Griffith University ( Graphic Design )

Rika feels right at home on the Gold Coast, with the coastal city reminding her of her hometown of Chigasaki in Kanagawa.

I am studying at

Griffith University ( Graphic Design )

Maui Yamada

Japan

Bond University ( Masters of Business )

Maui from Tokyo has found the perfect life on the Gold Coast - great education, friends from all over the world, and beautiful beaches.

I am studying

Masters of Business

I am studying at

Bond University ( Masters of Business )

Prudhvi Charan Mariserla

India

Bond University ( Masters of Construction )

Charan from Andhra Pradhesh believes studying on the Gold Coast has been the experience of his life, having made friends from all over the world.

I am studying at

Bond University ( Masters of Construction )

Severino Murze

India

Griffith University ( Masters of Marketing )

Since Severino from Bengaluru moved to the Gold Coast, is has become his second home, and he wakes up everyday with positive vibes.

I am studying at

Griffith University ( Masters of Marketing )

Rohan & Diksha Gidwaney

India

Southern Cross University

Delhi siblings Rohan and Diksha have made a home away from home on the Gold Coast, while they complete their studies at Southern Cross University.

I am studying at

Southern Cross University

Xiao Dan (Danna) Wang

China

Bond University ( Bachelor of Property )

With kind and helpful people, a beach lifestyle and great weather, the Gold Coast has become a second home for Beijing’s Danna.

I am studying at

Bond University ( Bachelor of Property )

Jermaine

zimbabwe

Law at Griffith University

The people of the Gold Coast are very warm, it's an inclusive society. Most importantly I feel like I can be myself, which is important for the student experience. Diversity means asking questions about different cultures, about different beliefs, about different ideas and listening to other people that are different to yourself. I'd like to think that I respect all people - people from different backgrounds, people of different faiths, people of different genders. We're all in this together and it's better to love one another than be divisive.

I am studying at

Law at Griffith University

Jasmina

Gold Coast, Australia

Medicine at Griffith University

I love living on the Gold Coast. The people are very friendly, but they're also ambitious. I've met a lot of people here who have dreams about achieving great things in their life. Diversity is a range of cultures sharing each other's differences. It's about getting to know each other through a diversity of languages and experiences as well as race.

I am studying at

Medicine at Griffith University

Nicolas

France

Master of Project Management at Bond University

Life on the Gold Coast is very easy going and relaxed with a lot of outdoor activities, so I have a lot of adventures. Diversity to me means people coming together from all over the world and meeting in one place. The Gold Coast symbolisies that - I've made friends here who have come from all over the world. I've fallen in love with the Gold Coast. People are very friendly and easy going and very relaxed compared to back home.

I am studying at

Master of Project Management at Bond University

Celia

Jamaica

Nutrition and Dietetics at Bond University

Diversity here means a melting pot of different countries that are interacting with you on campus. We've all pretty much come together and made it like a family. The number of different languages you hear on the Gold Coast, it's really amazing. I love talking to different people about what life is like for them back at home. We might be very different, but at the same time we're a lot alike.

I am studying at

Nutrition and Dietetics at Bond University

Abdul

Pakistan

Financial Planning and Accounting at Griffith University

The people are very friendly on the Gold Coast. I've made heaps of friends here, it's my second home. Diversity to me is people from different religions, race, colour and cultures. There's so many different people here on the Gold Coast, it's a multicultural city. This has been the most amazing experience of my life.

I am studying at

Financial Planning and Accounting at Griffith University

Malik

United States

Information Technology at Griffith University.

Life is amazing here, we've got a lot of culture in this city. There's a huge international community from different countries and they bring a lot of diversity. It's great to mingle with other people from all over the world and learn about their culture.

I am studying at

Information Technology at Griffith University.

Martin Ebata from Sweden

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast

I am studying

Sport

I am studying at

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast

Why I chose the Gold Coast

I wanted to experience the Australian lifestyle, seasons. and at the same time get some education of something I am very interested in.

Something special about where I'm from

During the winter we only have a couple of hours daylight. But during the summer the sun can be up almost the entire day.

What diversity means to me

Different culture, religion, food, thoughts...

What I think it takes to embrace diversity

An open mind, to realise that there are more people out there in this world who has experience different things than you might have. To put yourself into someone else

My favourite place to spend time on the Gold Coast

Beach

How I feel about Vegemite

Never tried it

Saskia Walgenbach from Germany

Griffith University

I am studying

Health & Medicine

I am studying at

Griffith University

Why I chose the Gold Coast

Because of the environment, the beach, the sun and to learn about the australian culture and improve my language skills.

Something special about where I'm from

Compared to Australia everything is cheap. Also the governmental support is very good and gives me the chance to study abroad. We are a very organised country with different multicultural influences.

What diversity means to me

Being able to be yourself and be respected for it. Also to improve your personal skills and your mindset by learning about and accepting different cultures and opinions.

What I think it takes to embrace diversity

Courage, trust and the will to change

My favourite place to spend time on the Gold Coast

Beach

How I feel about Vegemite

Indifferent

XingLong Jin from China

Southern Cross University

I am studying

Accounting & Finance

I am studying at

Southern Cross University

Why I chose the Gold Coast

Chill, tropical, friendly vibes are the main reasons.

Something special about where I'm from

I am from the city where you can meet Korean, Chinese, and Russian and pretty diversified and unique city in China. The city is called Yanji.

What diversity means to me

Respect,Encourage, and have to accept other cultures well.

What I think it takes to embrace diversity

Comprehension and acceptance

My favourite place to spend time on the Gold Coast

Campus

How I feel about Vegemite

Love it

Michael Timoscuk from Slovakia

Browns English Language School

I am studying

English Language

I am studying at

Browns English Language School

Why I chose the Gold Coast

Because, Gold Coas is beautiful place.

Something special about where I'm from

I am from Slovakia. The Slovakia is country with amazing mountain nature.

What diversity means to me

Recognise new cultures.

What I think it takes to embrace diversity

Having BBQ on Australia Day with friends from Czech Republic.

My favourite place to spend time on the Gold Coast

Beach

How I feel about Vegemite

Indifferent

Kazi Haisam Siddiqui from Pakistan

Griffith University

I am studying

Business & Commerce

I am studying at

Griffith University

Why I chose the Gold Coast

Hinterlands and weather

Something special about where I'm from

The northern areas of Pakistan are home to some of the worlds most beautiful natural scenic spots.

What diversity means to me

Each individual is unique in someway or another.

My favourite place to spend time on the Gold Coast

Hinterland

How I feel about Vegemite

Hate it

Mona Izzeldin from Sudan

Bond University

I am studying

Health & Medicine

I am studying at

Bond University

Why I chose the Gold Coast

The city attracted me in many different ways!

Something special about where I'm from

There are a large number of old ruins and pyramids in Sudan, even larger in number than the ones in Egypt

What diversity means to me

That people can be so different, yet so alike

What I think it takes to embrace diversity

Understand the cultural differences and accept them

My favourite place to spend time on the Gold Coast

Hinterland

How I feel about Vegemite

Hate it

Steven Wey from Australia

Griffith University

I am studying

Health & Medicine

I am studying at

Griffith University

Why I chose the Gold Coast

Gold Coast has been my home for the last 10 years. I started high school here and fell in love with Gold Coast ever since. I cannot leave this place.

Something special about where I'm from

I was born in Taiwan. I spent my early years of childhood in a small rural village where there was no school and no gravel roads.

What diversity means to me

Diversity means welcoming and respecting all different cultures, religions, sexual identities and people from all around the world.

What I think it takes to embrace diversity

To embrace diversity, one of the important thing is to first be confident in who you are. I believe education and travelling can help open peoples eyes to the issues of the world, a global perspective is important.

My favourite place to spend time on the Gold Coast

Beach

How I feel about Vegemite

Hate it

Rohan

Oman

Southern Cross University

I am studying

Accounting & Finance

I am studying at

Southern Cross University

Why I chose the Gold Coast

It is a beautiful place and have good education institutions to choose from so it is a perfect destination

Something special about where I'm from

Well originally my nationality is india but have live in Middle East for most of my life it is totally different from here and beautiful too

What diversity means to me

People of different religion, cast or colour are living together with peace and harmony.

What I think it takes to embrace diversity

We live with billions of other people on earth. We have so much to learn and share and understand. We don't need everyone to be exact same carbon copy of one another we should embrace and celebrate how different and special we already are

My favourite place to spend time on the Gold Coast

Campus

How I feel about Vegemite

Never tried it