I decided to study Agribusiness in Australia as a pathway to expand my agricultural production knowledge and build on experience I gained back home in Zimbabwe. Studying agribusiness abroad would be the best way to learn global agriculture dynamics and transfer the knowledge back home.  

I am happy to be studying alongside budding, ambitious and like-minded Australians who are passionate and tuned into agriculture. The mixture of farming backgrounds at the college has added value and quality to the educational experience. The course delivery is from an in-depth industry perspective which makes the course relevant to the outside world. The flexibility of the course structure, delivery and access to facilities has allowed me to study and still nurture my small family. The study tours of China, Hong Kong and New Zealand capped off the whole study experience.

Marcus Oldham is a small community with significant outside influence. The great sense of community, comradery and heritage made it easy to settle in, network and be part of. Meeting students who came from all across Australia has been a natural introduction to the diversity of the country. Marcus Oldham has brought out my ability to adjust to new environments and social settings and to find a niche role within any group. The best way to enjoy the Australian culture is to get involved and have a go. In amongst the multicultural array of the country, I have experienced the complexity of many regions through travelling, the rich natural landscape, the great outdoors and the sporting culture of Australia.

With a year to complete the Bachelor of Agribusiness, I hope the refined business skills will propel my career further. Currently, I am the Assistant Mushroom Grower at Parwan Valley Mushrooms, Victoria.

Studying abroad gives a different perspective on past experiences and natural knowledge. The moment you step out from your doorstep you open yourself up to the world. Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to see a different way of doing things and create memories for life. There is a lot to learn and remember you also have just as much to offer.

Hi, my name is Yang Ying and I come from China. I came to Deakin University to study and I am currently undertaking a Master of Landscape Architecture. Australia is an amazing country - from the moment I landed at Melbourne Airport, I was curious about my new home.

I feel lucky that I chose to study at Deakin University’s Waterfront campus because of the incredible views and the friendly people in Geelong. Prior to commencing my architecture studies at Deakin, I studied a ten week English language course at the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI).

During my English language studies, it was really exciting that my classmates were from different countries such as Russia, Iran, India, Thailand, Philippines andVenezuela. I made many great friends – we studied together and shared our different life experiences with each other. The teachers were also very helpful - they not only assisted us in our studies but also found ways to help us relax such as arranging visits to the zoo and doing yoga classes together.

My time at DUELI was a turning point in my life because I learned new skills such as searching through documents and writing in English. For a Masters student, critical thinking, writing, and searching documents are all important skills. Furthermore, good communication skills are also important and having friends from different backgrounds has been a great help in learning about new perspectives, new ways of thinking and different cultures.

In my spare time, I like to travel with my friends and to participate in different activities. I have been to Lake Tyrrell, gone fishing, joined in the Zombie Show, took part in Run Geelong, enjoyed some volunteer work and travelled to other cities. By taking part in various activities, I feel like I am an active participant in society making a valuable contribution to the city of Geelong especially when I’m volunteering which involves giving up my time for the reward and satisfaction of helping someone perhaps less fortunate than myself.

I still have one year left before I finish my course and although my studies are sometimes challenging and stressful, I am confident about my future, since my life motto has always been ‘Study Hard and Play Hard’. 

3 years in Kardinia International College give me lots of experiences. Before I came here, I was afraid that I would not fit with anyone. However, first day of the school, many students came and greeted cheerfully. I was very happy and felt more comfortable to talk with them. Kardinia has a wide range of activities for the students to join and make friends such as school clubs, school productions, house athletics, and so on. Also, by studying in Kardinia, I have not only learnt English, but I have learnt many different languages as this school opens for students from around the world. As in the school song, “Wisdom leads to respect and respect leads to friendship with the world”, Kardinia includes these three words in our everyday at school. In addition, as my family does not stay here, I have to stay with homestay family. They are like my second parents who help, support, and look after me as their child. They are the best homestay family ever. I have learnt so many things from them such as culture, custom, language, etc. Kardinia and my homestay family are located in Geelong where is very quiet and peaceful. It is totally different to my home country, Thailand. The traffic is much better, therefore it is quicker to travel from one place to another. Ultimately, I am so glad that I came to Australia and study in Kardinia International College. I will never ever forget this experiences in this school, this homestay and this country.

Pimchanok Kanoknitanan (Mink)

การที่ได้เรียนที่ Kardinia International Collegeมา3ปีทำให้ฉันได้เรียนรู้สิ่งต่างๆมากมายก่อนที่ฉันจะย้ายมาเรียนที่นี่ฉันกลัวมากว่าฉันจะไม่มีเพื่อนและไม่สามารถปรับตัวให้เข้ากับคนที่นี่ได้แต่วันแรกของการมาโรงเรียนนั้นเพื่อนๆหลายๆคนเข้ามาทักทายอย่างเป็นมิตรสุดๆฉันดีใจมากและรู้สึกสบายใจขึ้นที่จะเข้าไปคุยกับพวกเขาKardiniaมีกิจกรรมต่างๆให้นักเรียนเข้าร่วมเพื่อที่จะได้ทำความรู้จักกับเพื่อนมากขึ้นเช่นชมรม,การแสดงของโรงเรียน,กีฬาสีและอื่นๆยิ่งไปกว่านั้นการที่ได้เรียนที่Kardiniaไม่ได้ทำให้ฉันได้เรียนรู้แค่ภาษาอังกฤษเท่านั้นฉันได้เรียนรู้หลากหลายภาษาเพราะโรงเรียนเปิดรับนักเรียนจากรอบโลกตามเพลงของโรงเรียนที่กล่าวไว้ว่า“ภูมิปัญญานำไปสู่ความเคารพและความเคารพนำไปสู่มิตรภาพทั่วโลก”Kardiniaได้ผสมผสาน3คำนี้ไว้ในทุกๆวันของการมาโรงเรียนการที่ฉันมาเรียนที่ออสเตรเลียฉันจึงต้องอาศัยกับโฮมสเตย์ซึ่งโรงเรียนเป็นผู้จัดหาให้พวกเขาเป็นเหมือนครอบครัวที่2ของฉันเป็นคนที่คอยช่วยเหลือสนับสนุนและดูแลฉันเหลือลูกของพวกเขาตลอดการอยู่ที่นี่พวกเขาเป็นโฮมสเตย์ที่ดีที่สุดจริงๆฉันได้เรียนรู้อะไรหลายๆอย่างจากพวกเขาเช่นขนบธรรมเนียมประเพณีวัฒนธรรมภาษาและอื่นๆอีกมากมายKadiniaและโฮมสเตย์ของฉันอยู่ใน Geelongที่ที่เต็มไปด้วยความเงียบสงบซึ่งต่างจากประเทศไทยมากการจราจรก็ดีกว่าเยอะจึงทำให้เดินทางได้รวดเร็วท้ายที่สุดนี้ฉันดีใจมากที่ได้มาเรียนที่ออสเตรเลียและที่Kardinia International Collegeฉันจะไม่ลืมประสบการณ์ต่างๆที่ฉันได้รับจากโรงเรียนนี้โฮมสเตย์นี้และประเทศนี้เลย

เขียนโดยพิมพ์ชนก(มิ้งค์)กนกนิตย์อนันต์

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。