[Teacher's Story] A few things you may not know about me

 A few things you may not know about me:

I went to 5 different primary schools and two high schools. My father was in the Royal Australian Air Force when I was young so we moved around a lot. I have lived in NSW and Victoria but I am proud to call myself a Queenslander! I’ve been in Brisbane for more than 15 years now.

I have also spent a lot of time abroad. In 2003, when I was 20, I went on a 12-month working holiday to Ireland and met some of my mother’s aunts, uncles and cousins. I came home to finish my tertiary studies in International Business and Japanese at Griffith University and then went back to London for another 14 months. In my travels I visited several countries including France, Spain, Scotland, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the USA. There are still many places I would like to visit especially South America, Japan, and Italy. 

The most exciting place I’ve visited is Villamarxante, near Valencia in Spain. In August they have a really big party that lasts for a whole month. They have parades, fireworks and bulls running around the streets. I got to light the horns of one of the bulls on fire so that at night the people could see it coming.
  

I think I am a good example of your typical Australian female. I love to play outdoors. I love camping, hiking, rock climbing, going to the beach and playing soccer. I love the Australian way of life and although I still want to see other parts of the world, Queensland will always be home to me!

IIA, Crazy for sports!!

IIA students had a fun weekend playing Aussie sports and soccer!!!!

Want to play cricket but don't know how? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

Cricket is absolutely fun if you know how to play. It's one of the most popular games in Australia.

                                                            Austin teaching us how to play cricket.
                     If you want to learn how to play cricket  -> visit the website "How to play cricket"

                                       Our teacher Pam and our student Diego - Good form!!!!

                                                               Janice & Doris!!! Run! Run! Run!!

                                    Playing soccer is fun even if you don't know how to play.
                                         JUST keep running, following the ball and shouting!

Cute dog Kneesha! She was with us too :)

Thank you for joinning our IIA sports day!

It was a fantastic experience playing cricket and soccer with new friends.



[Student's Essay] As an international student

Before I arrived in Australia, I had never studied with international students. It is uncommon in Colombia to see multi-cultural classes and people from Asia, India and the Middle East so my first day in Australia was quite unique, I started to see many different cultures in one place.

When I started to study at school in Brisbane I found that all my classmates were from different countries and their lifestyles were completely different than mine. Then I started to ask what was the typical food, major cities of their country and they also asked me about my country too.

While we are studying, we also sharing our manners but the funniest thing for me is that many people didn’t know where Colombia is and I didn’t know where other countries are so we took the map and we looked for them and shared our knowledge.

The way people dress was another thing that got my attention because in my country everyone wears the same style. At the beginning I thought it was a little bit strange but now after one year it has become normal.
For me studying as international student has been the best experience in my life, now I have tried many kinds of food, I have a better sense of location, I have learnt about different ways of life and I have bought some clothes that I never use to wear.

from our student Andres - Upper Intermediate Class

WIN one of ten AUD$50 Coles group or Myer gift cards!

Are you an international student studying in Brisbane?

Brisbane Marketing is giving you the chance to win one of ten AUD$50 Coles group or Myer gift cards – all you need to do is tell us about your experience of studying and living in Brisbane.

Here's how it works

The survey is very simple and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The survey will run from 30^th August to 19^th September 2010 and is open to ALL international students living and/or studying in Brisbane and can be accessed through the following link: www.studybrisbanesurvey.com.

The aim of this survey is to understand what international students like about studying and living in Brisbane and what could be improved upon. The survey will provide invaluable information to education providers and other service providers throughout Brisbane.

There are no right or wrong answers, we just want to understand your experiences and views. Your responses are completely private and anonymous. You will not be required to identify yourself when completing the survey. Colmar Brunton Research, an independent research firm, will administer the survey and analyse the results.

Make sure you enter the prize draw to win!

Once you have completed all the questions, you will be asked whether you would like to enter the prize draw at the end of the survey*.

Want to know more

If you have any questions about the survey or why it is being conducted, please contact Colmar Brunton Research on 1800 257 859 or email studybrisbanesurvey@cbr.com.au.

Help make Brisbane an even better place to live and study. Click on the following link to enter the survey:

www.studybrisbanesurvey.com

Thank you in advance for your participation.

 

* Prize Draw Conditions: You need to provide your email address and some other personal information so that we can verify that you are an international student studying in Brisbane. Please note your email address and other personal information are not linked in any way to your responses to the survey. Only one entry per person is allowed and all entrants must currently be enrolled at an educational institute in the Brisbane region. The survey will close on midnight on 19^th September 2010 and your reply to the survey must be received by then to qualify for the prize draw. The draw will take place at the Colmar Brunton Research offices on 4^th October 2010 and winners will be notified via email or phone.