UTS Think Global

Sing ‘Home among the Gumtrees’ with me in Da Nang, Vietnam

August 25, 2023

Over the winter break, I had the pleasure of embarking on a Global Short Program, spending 10 days in the amazing city of Da Nang, Vietnam, engaging in entrepreneurship classes, exploring the rich cultural heritage of the region, and building unforgettable memories with students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. The FPT University summer camp program ran from the 15th to the 24th of July and had 12 participants, 10 students whom were from Singapore, one student from China and myself along with local Vietnam students who were our guides for our time in Da Nang. This experience was incredible blend of learning and adventure, where I formed international friendships and connections.

My Project Group presenting our final Project: business proposal!

The summer camp kicked off with a city tour of Da Nang, where we visited the lady Buddha, which is the tallest feminine buddha statue in the world, located in the Linh Ing Pagoda courtyard. We also did a Boat trip through the canals of Da Nang and saw the famous Dragon Bridge. The weekday mornings were spent in an entrepreneurship class led by Professor Tung, who taught us how to develop business ideas, analyse markets, and create effective business plans. The project for this class consisted of creating a business proposal in teams and these classes also allowed to exchange perspectives and ideas with my international peers.

The afternoons were dedicated to fun-filled activities that brought the group closer together and allowed for time to explore the city. We participated in team-building beach games and competed in teams throughout the program, playing various games (my team won!). A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An’s Ancient Town was my favourite excursion, as the town was so beautiful, lined with lanterns and filled with markets. We also visited the Thanh Ha Pottery village in Hoi an and attempted some pottery. One of the highlights of the summer camp was the cultural exchange with our Vietnamese buddies. We shared stories, danced, ate some local delicacies and competed in a quiz about all the different cultures of the students in attendance.

Hoi An (Ancient Town)

On the weekend, we attended a camping trip to Toom Sara Village. In the mountains, there was picturesque views and we participated in friendly competitions, cooked a delicious BBQ, and gathered around the campfire together. I taught everyone the lyrics to “Home among the Gumtrees” as we sat around the campfire. The food in Vietnam was incredible and some of my favourite dishes were Bun Bo Xao, a beef salad noodle dish, and Banh Xeo, a savoury crispy pancake filled with shrimp and bean sprouts.

View from Toom Sara Village!

Banh Xeo- Crispy Savoury Pancake – So yummy!

The summer camp in Da Nang, Vietnam, was an enriching and life-changing experience. Beyond the knowledge gained from entrepreneurship classes, I discovered the value of cultural exchange, the joy of forming connections with people from different countries, and the thrill of exploring a foreign country. This experience reaffirmed the significance of embracing diversity and fostering global friendships and I look forward to going back to Vietnam in the future!

Toni Clenton
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Global Communication program in FPT University, Vietnam
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient
From day trips to historical towns to Brazilian funk clubs!

August 24, 2023

One of my best learning experiences at University was the two-week Summer School in Brazil. I was joined by another 40 international students and 20 local students for the University of Federal Minas Gerais Summer School on Brazilian Studies (UMFG SSBS). This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study Brazilian culture deeply and authentically whilst learning about other peer’s nations, cultures, food and making international connections.

The SSBS was an intensive and in-depth study of all aspects of Brazilian society, with lectures covering history, race, geology and even economics! Our group was made up of students who all shared English as a common language. It was an amazing experience in itself: we had differing accents, slang and occasionally a difference in humour.

A part of SSBS was also afternoon Portuguese classes, where we could learn the basics of Brazilian Portuguese as well as everyday sayings necessary for our exploration of Belo Horizonte, the city where UMFG is located.

An incredibly unique and insightful aspect of this program was its inclusion of cultural activities to reinforce our classroom learning experience in new, real-world contexts. We had traditional dance classes, Brazilian treat tasting, watched local films, day trips to historical towns, visited famous galleries, recommended places to explore and were offered peer-led university tours.

We spent most of the day and evening together, with Brazilian students suggesting evening activities and places to see. This meant that our days were busy, constantly social, and always exciting. I became very close to those on the trip, as did everyone involved in SSBS. The local students took us to samba nights, Brazilian funk clubs, rival soccer matches and hidden local concerts

My experience was unforgettable and opened my eyes to a new and intimate way to experience culture, learning and contemporary society as a young person in Brazil.

If you had the opportunity to attend SSBS at UMFG, you should take it. I have stayed in touch with many of the international and local students from the program, as well as others that I have met along the way or out and about in Belo Horizonte.

To summarise my my experience is difficult, but it was perspective-changing, fast-paced, filled with fun, and I created connections with diverse people from around the world who came together with openness, acceptance, and energy every single day. I am already planning on returning to Brazil and have begun exploring future travel and study options!

Hannah Lambert
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
UFMG Summer School on Brazilian Studies
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient
Learn and play in Beijing!

August 23, 2023

Hi All! My name is Jenny and I am excited to share my July 2023 exchange program to China. I applied for the 2023 Beijing Institute of technology Summer Program early this year and was very happy to be informed that I was chosen as one of the five UTS Students that could go on this exchange.

Orientation day started early in the morning and consisted of speeches from the organisers of the program. They welcomed students from all over the world and briefed us about the program. We had Chinese language classes where we learnt Chinese and Chinese culture classes that consisted of different activities and lessons such as Kung Fu experience and Chinese paper cutting. These activities were very fun but also very hard!

We also had cultural tours to famous tourist spots such as
the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven.
Unlike the cold weather in Sydney, the weather is very hot and humid in Beijing during July. The heat sometimes made it difficult to continue walking around, but the view is worth it! All of these places were very beautiful!

Our weekends were left free so we could explore Beijing with our friends, I went to a Hutong, Beijing Universal Studios and shopping centres with my friends. Beijing Universal Studios was one of my favourite destinations and I had a lot of fun there with my friends that I made on the trip.

The month went by so quickly and it was already time to go back to Australia. It was interesting to see all the different buildings during the cultural tours and I felt like I was able to explore Beijing in my own way during our free time.
I am glad that I went on this Global Exchange Program and hope to go on more overseas exchanges in the future. This trip allowed me to meet new people and
experience many things about China that I would not be able to experience in Australia. I was sad to leave Beijing but also glad to go back home.
I look forward to going to Beijing again!

Yu Chen Jenny Wang
UTS Business School student
Beijing Institute of Technology(BIT) International Summer Programs 2023
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient
Appreciate cultural and architectural heritage of Indonesia

August 22, 2023

As a student passionate about sustainable tourism and captivated by the unique architectural heritage of different cultures, participating in a Faculty-led Global Short Program to North Sulawesi, Indonesia, was a dream come true. This immersive experience provided me with the incredible opportunity to dive into the heart of traditional architecture and witness firsthand the sustainable tourism practices in the surrounding resorts.

One of the program highlights was exploring the rich architectural heritage of North Sulawesi. The region is known for its diverse cultural mosaic and magnificent architecture. We had the privilege of visiting various villages and experiencing the traditional wooden houses known as Minahasa houses. The raised structures and distinctive designs and materiality of these houses were truly a feast for architectural enthusiasts like me.

Another significant aspect of the program was learning about sustainable tourism practices. The program emphasised the importance of preserving cultural heritage, protecting natural resources, and promoting responsible tourism. We gained insight into how the local communities and resorts could work hand in hand to strike a delicate balance between tourism development and environmental conservation. Seeing the prospect for these sustainable practices was truly inspiring and further fuelled my passion for sustainable tourism.

Perhaps the most cherished part of the program was the opportunity to engage with the local communities. We were warmly welcomed into their homes, immersed in their customs, and even exposed to local alcohol made out of palm leaves-as well as being immersed into the amazing underwater nature found in the region-and being lucky enough to sight a rare whale-shark. These interactions provided a glimpse into the deep-rooted cultural traditions and the immense pride the locals took in preserving their heritage.

Participating in this program taught me invaluable lessons. It deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity, reminding me of the importance of preserving these unique identities in a rapidly changing world. Additionally, examining sustainable tourism practices highlighted the significance of finding a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation. Responsible tourism practices can support local communities and protect the natural resources that make a destination attractive in the first place.

Furthermore, the program emphasized the value of community engagement in sustainable tourism. Witnessing how the local communities actively participated in decision-making processes regarding tourism development and took pride in preserving their heritage was heartwarming. This experience taught me the importance of involving all stakeholders and fostering a sense of ownership within communities.

In conclusion, participating in the Faculty-led Global Short Program in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, was an incredibly enriching experience. Exploring traditional architecture and witnessing sustainable tourism practices highlighted the invaluable lessons of preserving cultural heritage, embracing sustainable practices, and fostering community engagement. This program not only expanded my understanding of architectural diversity and sustainable tourism but also instilled a deep appreciation for the beauty and importance of preserving our world’s diverse cultural heritage. I am genuinely grateful for the knowledge gained and the lasting memories created during this transformative experience.

Taha’ El-Asmar
Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
Faculty Led – DAB Global Studio (Indonesia) – Interior Architecture Morotai, Moluku Islands
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient
Artificial Intelligence in Paris

August 21, 2023

When planning to go to Paris to study Artificial Intelligence (AI) at CentraleSupélec (CS), I was anxious that I would find myself out of my depth. As a business and BCII student, with a basic understanding of the technical application of AI from a finance subject, and having not studied engineering or mathematics. I was concerned that the class would assume knowledge that I did not have, and I would be stuck by myself, in a place I didn’t know, with people I didn’t know. This, luckily, couldn’t have been further from my actual experience.

The small course group of 10 had a mix of disciplines, with two finance students, two mathematics students, and various specialisations of engineering. From this, discussions would develop beyond the bias of a single perspective, and ideas would be generated in a transdisciplinary way, rather than simply multidisciplinary or interdisciplinarity.

Learning about these diverse mindsets and problem-solving approaches, I was able to consider problems through many lenses, and consider problems in novel ways. I also learned about the fundamental structure of different algorithms through a mathematical perspective. Then, considering how this function may be employed through an engineering perspective, through the configuration and modification of the academic insight into a practical and usable tool.

Finally, a business perspective could consider the potential business models to market the newly developed tool. In this way, the variety within the group represented many links of the development chain and allowed for a stronger understanding of the process.

Additionally, the content of the course also exposed the power of transdisciplinary between seemingly dichotomous fields, such as biology and technology. Beyond now having the new knowledge set I gained during the course, I now further understand the perspectives of disciplines I had not explored prior. Seeing the experimental nature towards their problem solving encourages me to prototype my ideas, test new combinations of tools, and learn from failures

Overall the course was an amazing opportunity to meet great people, explore new topics outside of my general course structure, and integrate this learning experience within a broader travel of Europe.

Liam Loughrey
UTS Business School student
Artificial Intelligence in Paris, France
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipeint
Inspired by the resilience of the human spirit in Poland

August 20, 2023

Attending the International Strategic Management Workshop at Poznan University of Technology was an unforgettable experience that taught me a great deal about cross-cultural communication, team collaboration, and project management.

Upon arrival, I was immediately impressed by the vibrant atmosphere of the campus and the warmth of the people I met. Over the course of the program, I had the opportunity to connect with students and lecturers from all over the world, each bringing their unique perspectives and insights to the table. Working on a project as part of a team was both challenging and rewarding, and I gained a newfound appreciation for the importance of clear communication and effective leadership, all the while developing my knowledge of International Strategic Management.

My team and I following the completion of our project.

One of the highlights of the program was undoubtedly the opportunity to explore the city of Poznan itself. From the historic Old Market Square to the picturesque Warta River, Poznan is a city steeped in culture and history. I especially enjoyed visiting Citadel Park where because it was spring at the time was flourishing with beautiful and fragrant flowers.

The beautiful flowers of Citadel Park.

Personally, I was also lucky enough to travel before and after the workshop, where I visited Berlin and Auschwitz. These visits deepened my understanding of Europe’s history and the impact of WWII. I was inspired by the resilience of the human spirit at Auschwitz and gained a better understanding of Berlin’s cultural heritage. These experiences reminded me of the importance of cross-cultural understanding and promoting peace.

A Photo of Auschwitz taken on my visit there

Overall, my trip to and from the International Strategic Management Workshop at Poznan University of Technology was an enriching experience that broadened my horizons and taught me valuable skills that will be applicable throughout my personal and professional life. The program provided a unique opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and to work collaboratively towards a common goal. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of strategic management, and to immerse themselves in the European culture.

Lance Hutt
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Poznan University of Technology – International Workshop on Strategic Management in Poland
We all became friends in Bergamo, Italy

August 19, 2023

This winter, I had the opportunity to study at the Università degli Studi di Bergamo in Italy. It was a global short program that ran for 2 weeks from 9am – 1pm. During this time, I was learning about the Italian language. It’s like Duolingo, but they teach you words and phrases you’ll actually use in your daily interactions. Let me tell you, it was definitely intense because I had to learn a new language in 2 weeks! However, I don’t regret it. It was amazing!!! Before this program, I only had friends that lived in Sydney; now, I have international friends!!

Sometimes we would have afternoon classes where we would learn about Italian culture—for example, food, art, music, architectural history and theatre. My program was in Bergamo, and I was surprised by the amount of history this place has. Not many people know about Bergamo because it isn’t a major city in Italy, but it was just as beautiful. With the university, we got to tour Città Alta, the upper town, and exploring it was amazing! Most afternoons, though, I spent exploring the city with my new friends. This was my first time being in a new country and being alone in a hotel. I thought it would be harder than it was, but because so many people studying with me were also alone, we all became friends.

Learning Italian in Italy was a game-changer because it actually forces you to learn the language. Even though in most restaurants, they were able to speak English, some didn’t. That’s when I used what I learned in the classroom in the real world. It felt enriching to be able to do that.

When I was there, it was a very different vibe to Sydney, but I never felt like I had to change myself in any way. However, there were things that they did that I had to get used to, adjusting myself to the country’s norms. For example, in Australia, the cashier weighs the fruit and does the pricing for you; however, in Italy, you weigh and stick the price and bar code on yourself before going to the cashier. That was definitely something that made me very confused at first.

Overall, studying in Italy, even for my short time there, was a fantastic experience that I would try to do again. It lets you leave your comfort zone and explore the world for yourself. Not only do you learn about the way of life of people in a different country, but you get to meet so many new people from other parts of the world that you can also learn and grow from.

Jemii Virakorn
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
In-country Language and Culture Study in Italy
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient
Midwifery at Mahidol, Bangkok

August 18, 2023

I was one of the very fortunate 16 Midwifery students to be involved in the 2023 Global Short Program, Mahidol University Midwifery in Thailand. This experience was not only one of the most exciting experiences of my life but also life-changing. This program has given me a new perspective on the beauty of world culture.

As part of my program, we toured the various campuses and facilities of Mahidol University and learnt about the key practices and philosophies of the healthcare system in Thailand.

We began our program at Ramathibodi Hospital. From the outset of our program, the team at Mahidol University welcomed us with such kindness and went to great efforts in their hospitality. Even within our first introductions and hospital tour, I was immensely impressed by the sense of pride and passion that the team reflected in their work in maternity care.

We also visited several other hospital sites across Thailand including Phayathai, Bangpli, and Sena hospitals. At each hospital, we were given tours of the antenatal clinics, labour and postpartum units. Even though geographically many of the hospitals were nearby, each campus had unique elements. Most poignantly, this experience made me reflect on the hospital facilities available in Australia.

Touring Phayathai, I kept spotting familiar pieces of equipment and thinking, “Wow, this seems very similar to Australia!”. This opportunity to draw similarities between the facilities gave me an insight into the universality of healthcare and how we are all united by human experiences such as in life, health and death. Contrastingly, we all visited more rural hospitals with fewer resources and facilities. This also gives me an understanding of just how fortunate we are in Australia to have access to universal healthcare and state-of-the-art facilities.

However, my most resonating impression of Thai healthcare professionals was their sense of passion and pride in their work. The nation has a true respect for the work of healthcare professionals and the worker’s pride in this is evident in their passionate and hardworking approach to care. I have been truly inspired by the healthcare workers in Thailand and look to employ this approach in my own professional endeavours.

A highlight of my experience was our ‘Cultural Night’. On this night, the Australian and Thai students exchanged presentations about our respective cultures. The Thai students performed traditional dance and invited us as we all joined in dance, song and many laughs. They also made a presentation about their culture and the influence of Buddhism on their social practices and way of life. This was a truly insightful experience of the spiritual influences on Thai society. This gave me a deeper appreciation of Thai culture.

The Australian students made our own presentation including our Indigenous culture and history, as well as some popular ‘Aussie’ topics such as sport, celebrities and of course, Bondi rescue. We performed the traditional Aboriginal song and dance with the Thai students, and we all laughed and chatted the night away. The friendships I have made from experiences like this night will last a lifetime, and I look to keeping in contact and visiting my Thai friends again.

As much as this experience was a fun opportunity to meet new people and experience a whole new culture, it has also transformed my perspective of healthcare, and particularly, the international importance of midwifery care.

Georgina Hyde
Faculty of Health
Midwifery at Mahidol University, Thailand
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient
Living La Dolce Vita in Milan

August 17, 2023

Buongiorno! My name is Claudia and over 2 weeks in July, I completed a course on Italian cinema at the Universita Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy. As a Law and Public Relations student, it was insightful to be able to study something completely different from what I had learned throughout my degree. It was incredibly enriching to discover Italian culture through an exploration of its cinema, whilst living in Italy and soaking up the Summer sun.

The course

In class, we explored the evolution of Italian cinema and analysed 7 films from Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’ up until Benigni’s ‘La Vita è Bella’. We only had around 4 hours of class in the morning and had our afternoons free to explore the city. As we only had nine people in our class from all over the world, we quickly became close and often had lunch together after class.

Some of the girls in our class at ‘Mi Scusi’ for lunch.

As part of our course, we were lucky enough to go on an excursion to the Museum of Interactive Cinema where we tried out virtual reality, voice dubbing, green screens and sound mixing. We also watched Fellini’s famous movie, ‘8 ½’ in the museum’s very own cinema, all to ourselves. It was truly insightful to learn from our teacher about how films are made and how they have changed over time.

Georgia, Tilly and I are MIC playing with the green screen.

Outside of class, we were regular visitors to the local Pasticceria where we had our caffè (coffee) and a brioche (croissant), an Italian staple. The owners got to know us well and even let us practice our Italian!

We explored the city via the fast and efficient metro. One of the highlights of my stay was visiting the Duomo (Cathedral) and the terrace, where we had a beautiful view of Milan. We also spent a lot of time snatching up the sales on the shopping strip near the Duomo.

Italy is well-known for its excellent food and there was no shortage of affordable antipasti, pasta, pizza, gelato and of course, Aperol Spritz! Some of our highlights include our dinner by the water in Navigli and getting poolside aperitivo at Bagni Misteriosi.

The view of Milan from the Terrace at Duomo.

On the weekend, I ventured out on a day trip to Lake Garda, only an hour away by train. I spent the day exploring the small beach town and relaxing by the water, which was the perfect respite from the heat.

View of Lake Garda

Overall, if you’re looking for an unforgettable global experience, Milan is the place to be! From the course to the city, to the people, to the food, I couldn’t recommend it enough.

Claudia Carozza
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (Law and Communication)
‘Italian Masterpieces, portrayal of a culture through its cinema’ Program
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipeint
The Seven Things Nobody Tells You Before Going on an Exchange

August 16, 2023

In the July break of 2023, I embarked on a 3-week Global Short Program to learn French on the island of New Caledonia (NC). I’d always wanted to visit Nouméa, NC. Studying the French language for six years of high school, we often used NC as a case study: The “Petit Paris of the Pacific”, or France in our backyard.

And New Caledonia really is like a postcard, abundant with towering palm trees, juicy coconuts, and bougainvillea flower bushes of every colour. The ocean is warm, even in winter! And the locals have a laissez-faire approach to life.

Reflecting on my time in NC, I’d like to share my experience in an unconventional way. I could easily recount all of the incredible experiences from my exchange. However, this blog is a unique opportunity for me to give some advice to those leaving for their own exchange journey.

1. You will make lifelong friends.

Not much can unite people more than living in a foreign country together. I was very fortunate to be in a class with twelve wonderfully unique and well-rounded peers. Since we could not speak in English with anybody else and were forced to be with each other every day, we clung tightly to one another. We quickly became each others’ safe space. I remember the afternoon we sat for hours at the Place des Cocotiers, the central city square, having deep discussions about our relationships, fears and dreams for the future.

2. You will feel lonely.

Leaving your family and friends behind can be really difficult. This is especially true if you’re undertaking a semester- or year-long exchange, or studying in a different time zone. You are plunging headfirst into a new and foreign environment, which can be challenging to navigate without your usual support system by your side. I’ve been blessed to travel internationally many times (I spent a year-long gap year overseas). However, travelling to study was a very different experience. I did not bring existing friends with me, I had responsibilities like homework and exams, and I resided alone with a host family.

3. You will laugh so hard until your belly hurts.

The new friends, inside jokes and memories you create will stay with you for the rest of your life. Getting to know new people on a deep, personal level was amazing. I can’t count on my fingers the hilarious stories that we now share. For instance, my friends and I had planned to meet at the top of the Ouen Toro hill to watch the sunset. Rather than being driven to the lookout, one friend was dropped at the very bottom and told, “faut profiter de la vue”. She had to walk for an hour all the way up to meet us. From then on, any time something during our trip didn’t go to plan, we would laugh it off and say, “faut profiter”.

4. You will not get along with everybody.

Something that I definitely learnt the hard way through this experience was that you can never please everyone. Whether it is another student in your class or a new person you meet with different views, all you can be is true to yourself and always stand up for your values. I met numerous New Caledonians with prejudiced beliefs about the Indigenous Kanak population. I had to learn to accept that I could not change their mind and avoid conversations about local politics.

5. There will be incredibly high moments.

Since I was a child, I have always had a fear of sea creatures. But this trip I committed to launching myself out of my comfort zone. One way to do this was to face my fear of snorkelling. And I’m so glad that I did. Because I saw sea turtles! Not one, but two! All thanks to my new friends who encouraged and supported me through it.

6. You will face some extreme lows.

Being away from home for so long can affect your mental health. This is especially the case when you face a challenging situation, and it feels like there’s nobody there to hold your hand through it. Hard times and conflicts are inevitable, so prepare to embrace the challenges and to learn a lot about yourself. I made the difficult decision to transfer to a new host family after struggling to connect with them for weeks. I pushed through the isolation for a long time until I hit a breaking point. It was one of the lowest points I have had to manage in my life.

7. It will make you a stronger person.

I returned from my New Caledonia exchange with more than just an improved French language ability. I created new best friends for life, a deeper understanding of an unfamiliar culture, and of myself. Even though I am a seasoned traveller, this program was the wildest, most spontaneous and most terrifying decision I’d ever made. But I am so glad that I took the leap of faith. Although there were tough times, they were vastly outweighed by the fantastic memories.

Finally, I am grateful to UTS for providing me with the opportunity to study abroad. I now have newfound life experiences, cultural awareness and language skills that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Tanna Klevansky
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
CREIPAC Intensive French Language Course in France
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient

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