I’m from Busan, a beautiful city in the south-eastern part of South Korea. There are many wonderful beaches, traditional markets and festivals in Busan, so it’s a popular tourist destination. Whenever I used to see people from overseas on the street I would talk to them. I was always curious about where they had come from and it helped me to improve my English. 

In Korea, I attained a Business Administration degree and at that time I thought I might become an employee of a major company or an accountant, but just before I graduated I spent a year in Canada and it changed my perspective. Living life without competing with other people there allowed me to focus on what I really wanted to do and what I really wanted to be, without living up to anyone else’s expectations. I decided that wanted to explore the world and meet more people with different stories from diverse backgrounds. 

Studying boatbuilding on the Gold Coast is amazing. There are many marine businesses here, so it was easy for me to get a job and gain valuable work experience while studying. I’m working with Riviera, the largest luxury yacht manufacturer in Australia. I’m glad that I chose to study marine craft construction as there are lots of opportunities for me to learn skills here and I’m really enjoying studying and living on the Gold Coast.  

I want to share with people how much I’m loving my Gold Coast experience and the Mayor’s Student Ambassador Program is a great way to do that. I’m very excited to meet students from all over the world and build relationships that could lead to more career opportunities. I can’t wait to see how I can grow within this program and be a positive influence on others. 

My family are from Poland but I grew up on the Gold Coast, having lived here pretty much my whole life, with the exception of spending four years in the United Arab Emirates. Living there was a completely different experience. The distinct culture and customs were an amazing opportunity to learn about unique and different foods, spices, music and traditions. Growing up on the Gold Coast I spent lots of time, as most Aussie kids do, on our fabulous beaches and hiking the national parks and generally enjoying local nature. 

I have been playing and studying music since I was five years old. I have played for various orchestras and bands, which led me to perform in many fascinating places. I have played with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Youth Orchestra and numerous local bands at venues like QPAC, HOTA and the Griffith Conservatory, as well as many gigs throughout South East Queensland. Through music I’ve met many fantastic Australian musicians like James Morrison and the world famous trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, who is now a friend of mine.  

Growing up here I’ve done a lot of volunteering work, such as planting trees after fires and more recently helping the less fortunate by volunteering with Rosies and The Movement Gold Coast. Caring for the homeless and the vulnerable is very important to me, just providing meals can save them from worrying about food for a few days. Each Friday I cook many meals (with the help of my mum) at home which we distribute on Saturdays to the local disadvantaged. With Rosies and The Movement Gold Coast, we provide the homeless and vulnerable with hot meals, sandwiches and food that they can take away and eat at a later time. I might not be able to change the world around them, but at least a few of them can have a hot, home cooked meal, some clothes and items they might need. 

I wanted to become a Mayor's Student Ambassador to meet like-minded students who are passionate about studying on the Gold Coast. I am looking forward to all the memorable experiences that we will have while building great friendships with the other Ambassadors. I would like to improve my personal and professional skills to further develop my leadership capabilities to allow me to better assist those wanting to study on the Gold Coast. 

My parents migrated from Vietnam to Czechia, where they fell in love, and I was born and raised there so I have two first languages, Vietnamese and Czech. I grew up in Karlovy Vary, a small mountain town famous for its beautiful architecture and healing hot springs. Growing up there was great, but there were not many opportunities.  

I moved to Prague and since it was the first time I was on my own I spent a lot of time discovering who I wanted to be. I enrolled at Charles University, where I studied the humanities which fostered my eventual career path when I became interested in psychology. While I was studying I worked as a croupier in a casino, but the long hours were exhausting, so I came to the Gold Coast, which was one of the best decisions I ever made. 

After studying at the Griffith English Language Institute I received the Griffith International Scholarship with a direct entry to the Bachelor of Psychological Science at Griffith University, from which I graduated last year. Currently, I am in my fourth year working towards my thesis. I’ve had the most wonderful time living and studying here. I’m honoured to be chosen as a Mayor’s Student Ambassador and I’m really excited about the opportunities available through the Program.  

I am most looking forward to Jellurgal Aboriginal Centre and OzHarvest experiences in the Program as I’ve heard from others that these provide a rich cultural and social experience. For many international students, myself included, coming to a foreign country alone is challenging because we do not have the professional connections we might have back home, and I believe this Program will help me to gain these. Moreover, I am excited about getting to know all the other amazing Ambassadors and their diverse life experiences. There is so much we can learn from each other.

I am from Adelaide, the calm and beautiful capital of South Australia. I grew up living by the beach, spending lots of time with my family fishing on our boat or on camping trips to the river. When I was younger I also lived in Hong Kong for a few years and it has always been my second home. Hong Kong is so fun and lively, with a busy night life. Living overseas was a significant part of my life, as it shaped me as a person from being immersed in different cultures. 

The Gold Coast is a favourite family holiday destination and I always loved the whole vibe of the city, as it was filled with so many fun things to do, especially the fun parks. In Year 12, I came to the realisation that I wanted to study outside of Adelaide, and I learnt about Bond University after being enrolled in a mooting competition. The more I learnt about the opportunities Bond had to offer, the more I set my heart on studying at Bond.  

My favourite thing about studying at Bond University is how supportive the community is, and as a student, there are endless opportunities available to us, especially as we work towards our future career goals. Living on campus at Bond has been a great experience, as I have met so many amazing people and made memories of a lifetime.  

I wanted to become a Mayor’s Student Ambassador because I hope to be an advocate for this city that I feel so passionate about. I believe the Gold Coast is one of the best places to study, as there is a great contrast between an excellent education program and the endless experiences available. I’m looking forward to growing personally while getting to know all the people involved in the Program and making new connections from across the world. I’m also looking forward to learning more about the Gold Coast and further exploring the city.

Although I was born in Mauritius, I spent the majority of my life growing up in the UK. As a younger kid I was quiet and reserved and did not have many friends. My life in England was still amazing though, and some of the best years of my life. I remember seeing my family every weekend, having sleepovers with my cousins and found true happiness in the annual blankets of snow. There was nothing a mug of hot chocolate and pair of rain boots couldn’t fix, and I really do miss those times. I regularly visited my home country of Mauritius too, and there was always something about the exotic beaches, home cooked meals and colourful cultures that excited me.  

I first heard about the Gold Coast when learning about the most touristic areas in Australia. I had always wondered what life would be like on the Gold Coast, and now that I’m here it does not disappoint. The Gold Coast offers friendliness, openness to culture [diversity] and an abundance of opportunities that I know I won’t get elsewhere. I feel as though I have a better chance of being myself and succeeding. The friends I’ve made here have become more like a family to me. 

I joined the Mayor’s Student Ambassador Program because I wanted to learn more about the Gold Coast and the opportunities available here for students during and after their studies. I’ve heard so much about this program from previous Ambassadors who have mentioned how rewarding and fulfilling it is and I wanted to experience it too! I’m also keen to meet people outside of my regular friendship circle through a shared experience that not only offers professional development, new experiences and personal growth, but also new ways of just having fun. 

I’m most looking forward to the professional development workshops, specifically those on the topics of marketing, social media and content creation – all of which will benefit me in my career path. I’d also like to improve my networking skills while building my confidence and independence through the Program.

I was born in India and raised in Mexico for much of my formative years before moving back to India to finish my schooling. India and Mexico have a lot of similarities in their way of life, as both countries are very family and community oriented. There is immense importance given to family and working towards the greater good of the community as opposed to just focusing on the individual.  

Right after finishing my undergraduate degree, I turned down an interview with a large company and instead went and volunteered at the 2016 Rio Olympics. As soon as I started working at the event I realised it was going to be a life changing experience and it ended up being better than anything I could have ever imagined. 

The Mayor’s Student Ambassador Program stood out to me because it's designed to help students like myself by providing us with opportunities for both professional and personal development while also helping us explore the Gold Coast in a unique way. It is also a great way to meet people from all walks of life and build connections and bonds that last a lifetime. 

One of my key goals as an Ambassador is to develop and hone my professional skills through the various workshops and seminars. The Program gives us the unique opportunity to meet with so many industry leaders across multiple disciplines and I would love to be able to learn from them and gain insights that can help shape the way I operate in the future. 

I moved to Australia when I was eight or nine, living first in Melbourne and then on the Gold Coast. Before that, I called Beijing my home, and in a sense, it still is. Despite my love for the Gold Coast, Beijing has the charm of ancient history and the modern conveniences of traditional palaces next to high-rise skyscrapers. Much of my childhood in China was spent in favourite bookstores and fooling around with a gaggle of children in our apartment block. The food was also unparalleled.  

I am looking to study natural sciences or engineering in the future. I enjoy learning, and I believe the sciences provide a uniquely beautiful perspective on the world. I can’t imagine myself studying something not related to science! 

My family fell in love with the Gold Coast almost immediately after holidaying here. The rest is history. The freedom and the easy-going vibes here, combined with the exquisite natural environment, are the city’s best assets. I love how close nature is to us on a daily basis with the proximity to beautiful beaches and the abundance of natural parks. Furthermore, the Gold Coast has all the conveniences of an urban city, but without all the noise and the hustle. 

I became a Mayor’s Student Ambassador because I wanted an opportunity to share my experiences, and to learn about my extended community. I’m looking forward to making friends and fostering new connections within the local community, alongside participating in exciting activities and educational workshops. I see the program as a way of challenging myself and taking me outside my comfort zone and doing something different. I hope to develop my leadership skills and my interpersonal abilities through the course of the program, as well as connecting with the Gold Coast community.