UTS Think Global

Entering the world of startups in Singapore

September 21, 2022

I’ve spent two weeks in Singapore creating a start-up and pitched in front of investors, this is how it went!

Endeavour Singapore Innovation Program by HEX has pulled me into the world of start-ups. I may have learnt a few innovative methods and tools prior to this program, but I’ve always felt like an outsider observing through a clear glass. It felt like I was circling around this distant world.

HEX was like a sandbox, offering me support and confidence along my journey. The opportunity has allowed me to immerse myself into this world, where I’ve gained confidence in networking and pitching whilst adopting an entrepreneurial mindset.

From these workshops, I’ve learnt about Goal Setting, Power Posing, Prototyping, Market Research, Growth Hacking and the importance of Personal Branding. That’s just a few!

Endeavour Singapore has offered a really engaging and interactive deliverance of our education. We weren’t boxed in a room, sitting passively and processing what the speakers have to say, instead it felt like we were actual founders, travelling from one location to another. One of the key things I’ve appreciated was how we weren’t just treated as students but were treated as founders.

On top of these workshops, I’ve developed my skills in networking. I remembered when I first started, I always had to be in a group. However as the program progressed, I found myself just networking and connecting with strangers at the lobby of my accommodation.

We also had the amazing opportunity to visit tech giants such as Zendesk, Google and KPMG! It was really insightful to see how the innovative tools and methods we’ve learnt in theory can be put into practice.

One of my cohort shared her wisdom with me during one of our DMC at Shake Shack. And that is, “When starting out, no one will promote you and that’s why it’s up to you to actively do so.”

Immersing myself into the Startup culture wasn’t just the best thing I loved about the program! It was the supportive environment and friends that you have! My cohort and I came from different walks of life. It was ironic, as going into the program I intended to make at least 3 friends, but made friends with everyone instead. I entered this program with strangers and left with a family and amazing memories of friendly banters, DMCs (Deep Meaningful Conversations) and impromptu stand-ups.

I’ve been insecure of how people perceive me when I voice out my passions and experiences, so I was always conservative about my online media presence. Ashwin’s LinkedIn Workshop has challenged my assumption. Ashwin has shown me that when used right, you can create meaningful connections.

Reaching out for help was another thing, a weakness I had to confront. Although, I wouldn’t say that I’ve 100% successfully accomplished getting over my fear of reaching out for help, I can definitely say that I’ve improved.

I highly recommend people who are interested in developing their leadership skills, startups and entrepreneurship or even widen their worldview to apply! You won’t regret this!

Jenifer Ly

Bachelor of Business, Diploma in Innovation

Global Short Program Student
Study of Sustainable Tourism in Lake Toba, Indonesia

September 15, 2022

My trip to Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia, began on the 22nd of June 2022. As one of the 17 students who went on this two-week trip, I can safely say it was everything more than we had ever expected it to be.

Going into this project, I was unsure of what to expect. I had little knowledge of Indonesia or its culture, but this turned into a focal point for me, and I enjoyed experiencing a new culture and a new way of life that came with visiting Indonesia. I enjoyed the activities we did, such as swimming at the base of waterfalls, visiting traditional villages and a six-hour jungle trek which involved sightseeing orangutans in the wild, a once in a lifetime experience that I will cherish forever. The places we stayed included Medan, Samosir island, and Balige.

I enjoyed the work we did being a study of sustainable tourism, staying in, drawing, and diagramming these hotels and homestays, and how much knowledge and information the locals were willing to share. It was so rewarding to present to a room filled with hand drawings and fellow students who I didn’t know three weeks before.

This trip positively impacted and shaped my perspective around the indo-pacific as I got to experience things I would never have taken upon myself to see. This trip also changed and challenged my perceptions as north Sumatra was like entering an entirely new world to the country’s tourism capital of Bali however, there were still similarities like the constant scooters and non-existent road rules. While in North Sumatra, we connected with the community and formed a new understanding of tourism. A new understanding of how it can shape a town, a city, and a region but more importantly, how it can shape the locals that live their lives. The jungle we trekked, the waterfalls we swam in, the people we met, the villages we visited, and the grand Lake Toba we stayed beside all convinced me that going off the beaten path when it comes to traveling is so rewarding.

I enjoyed the connections I made on this trip, not just to the country but to the community and to my fellow students.

Heather Tetley

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours)

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)

New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore – Global Short Program

August 17, 2022

This winter, I was fortunate to be able to participate in a Global Short Program at Università Cattolica, Milan. Arriving in Milan, I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety, as this was the first time that I would undertake anything like this. After two years of online university, I was grateful and ready for a new opportunity to meet new people and experience a different culture and environment. At the start it felt like I had jumped in the deep end; all the signs were in a language I didn’t understand, and I had to quickly learn about the customs and norms of the city. The university held an orientation session on the first day which explained more about the school as well as the city itself, which was helpful in getting settled in. I took the class with two other UTS students, which was also very helpful as we were able to support each other.

The class itself had interesting content and the professor was really fun and passionate about the subject. The structure of the class that I took consisted of 4-hour classes every day for two weeks. Assignments were completed during class time, which allowed us to explore the city in our afternoons. We also had a field trip to the Campari Gallery which focused on their art and advertising history.

The entire trip was a long highlight reel, but there were a few things that stood out. Lake Como is a beautiful spot for a day trip or weekend away, and just a short train trip from Milan. Navigli is a neighbourhood within walking distance to the university and is a buzzing area surrounding the canal filled with restaurants and bars. Aperitivo is a tradition in Italy, and Navigli is a great place for this. All the food we tried was amazing and it would be hard to come across a bad meal in Milan.

Finally, I learnt so much by undertaking this Global Short Program. The course content was interesting and learning about mass media from an Italian perspective and history really enrichens the knowledge gained from UTS. An international program also allows you to grow in cultural competence and experience a life that is outside your comfort zone and bubble. I cannot recommend undertaking a Global Short Program enough. You will meet other students from around the world and gain invaluable experiences.

Darian Gunawan

Bachelor of Global Studies

Global Short Program student
Australia to Austria mid-Covid

July 6, 2022
My name is Mark, I’m on an exchange to Austria, completing a double Masters; Master of Business Administration (MBA, UTS) and a Master’s of Science (Strategy, Innovation, Management and Control (SIMC, WU)).

Australian borders finally opened, needless to say I was very excited yet overwhelmed at the same time.

I arrived in Vienna on a Tuesday, my first day did not go smoothly. I had arrived at Vienna International airport about half past 11 and did not get to the student accommodation a little past noon. After arrival, there was no one at reception, knocked on the door, rang and checked their website and found they were closed for the day. After speaking with passing residents, I found between noon and 2PM some businesses typically close for lunch and reception only available during specific days.

Fortunately for me, there was a hotel nearby, so it was not that big of an issue. Even though I had checked the business hours prior, like everywhere else business hours were adjusted due to COVID. Best to send your place of accommodation some reminders of your arrival day and time (even if you had a contract agreement in place!).

After that minor setback I settled in quite quickly. I then started a two- week pre- German intensive course the following week. It was definitely worth it, and as a complete beginner, it was super useful to take this newfound knowledge to the streets and by no means no-where close to a fluent German speaker. Fortunately, most people I’ve encountered do speak English.

WU so far…

Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (WU), is closely located to Prater Park. The facilities are very impressive and pleasing to look at. The centre piece is the Library and Learning centre designed by the famed architect Zaha Hadid, did not disappoint 10/10.

I had already completed a semester at WU a year prior to the exchange. My exchange experience began in mid- September 2020 via distance learning. I had taken a full-time study load, classes were synchronous learning, Sydney is about 10 hours ahead, so I was not exciting to attend classes at night and some classes after midnight. Classes were very interactive and rely heavily on theoretical frameworks and discussions, student led learning is very common- I find that the context of the courses are broad so you could choose a specific topic you want to learn to then lead class discussion. So, when I resumed my studies this year, coming into my first classes in-person this was not a surprise.

Weekly lectures and tutorials are non-existent. The classes are structured in block mode (this is usually 3-4 hours give or take) and to accommodate for COVID, a hybrid structure. To attend classes physically, you must be fully vaccinated- Australian International Certificate is fine. I love this class-structure, my academic calendar looks very empty with exception to 3 full weeks over 2 months. I admit being able to travel is probably the number 1 reason for exchange, with Vienna in the centre of Europe, flights in and around are very cheap, some as low as 9 Euro round trip! In the first month of exchange visited some exciting local and historical attractions. Even behind the mask, it was difficult to fight off my smile muscles. More trips to come.

Since I’m the only student representing UTS this semester for exchange, I joined some student society. You make friends easily. I highly recommend joining a student society or similar regardless of you’re the situation, you get to be involved in networking, career workshops and social activities (do go to those events) plus you get to have a buddy or two to roam the streets of Vienna. To attend this type of event in addition to the vaccination certificate, you need to complete a PCR test 2 days prior to an event.

Other tips:
- Austria is cash oriented, carry some cash with you!
- Feeling homesick, try Crossfield’s Australian Pub
- Painkillers are only sold in pharmacies (Apotheke)
- No need to run for that train, Vienna U-Bahn normally runs every 5 minutes interval, during peak hours some even run every 2 minutes.
- Join EBN buddy program, they can help you get settled in and accommodation key pick-ups just ask your buddy (I learned this after the setback)! They also run student events.
- As a non-resident I had to pay $25 euro per PCR test, to avoid paying they have a gargle test (ALLES GURGELT!) for free: register and additional info https://allesgurgelt.at/en/wien/ (information valid as of 23/03/2022)
Overall, great experience so far! You’ll encounter some setbacks, but it’ll be worth it. Enjoy your exchange experience.

Das ist alles, Tschüss.

Mark Malonzo

Master of Business Administration

Global Exchange Student at WU (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien – Vienna University of Economics and Business)
Space Mission Design in Berlin

June 24, 2022

Hi, I’m Sabrina Ferro and I am a 4th year Civil Structural Engineering and BCII student who recently participated in a virtual internship at the Technical University of Berlin. The internship is called Space Mission Design, where a group of students from different places around the world gather as a team to design and manage a satellite mission.

Everyone gave an initial space mission statement and only one was voted to be chosen to continue in the design process. The space mission we chose was called Emergency Net, which is a satellite that detects natural disasters and sends this information to the nearest ground station, thus providing response teams with the info they need to plan out which areas are in the most need. This all adds up to satellite technology being a vital component to the present and future of disaster relief efforts. I loved the virtual global short program course lectures. The teacher, Manuel, originally from Spain, was passionate and had excellent field knowledge and experience. All the students in my class were from other countries which made teamwork activities much more interesting, as we contributed to our different space mission subsystems.

The final assessment was a presentation on your substructures. I enjoyed learning about an entirely new field of engineering. It opened my eyes to new possibilities I could pursue when finishing my Bachelor’s degree, such as space engineering. Perhaps structural and mechanisms of satellites or electrical propulsion systems of satellites since those were the primary work packages in my Space Mission Design subject.

Sabrina Ferro

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation

Global Short Program Student
A program of knowledge

June 24, 2022

The Global Short Program was a virtual internship elective that I participated in, which gave me the opportunity to expand my connection and understanding of the Indo-Pacific region as well as increase integral interpersonal skills such as strengthening leadership.

The international component of the course was my online connection to a language school and architectural studio in Beijing who taught me many cultural habits and traditions that Chinese heritage is encompassed by. Studying abroad allows international students to perceive things from the host country’s vantage. This ensures the development of a knowledge base from the home country and host company, which is something I had the privilege of experiencing.

To take full advantage of this experience, I found organization to be one of the most important contributors. This applies beyond managing time, but also refers to having a clean and neat space to study, keeping files together and most importantly staying up to date on the course workload. This is especially relevant when dealing with possible language related communication barriers.
In saying this, I also enjoyed the flexibility in the class timetable which catered to working students. The lack of a strict time frame for discussion sessions made the pace of learning feel light and puts course coordination in the hands of students. The learning experience was less stressful through these means and was more fun and immersive.

The overall program was very enlightening and will undoubtedly contribute to my academic progress. I was able to collaborate with many culturally aware individuals who were able to highlight very important differences between Australia and China within my field of study.

Sarah Al-Jelani

Bachelor of Design In Architecture

Global Short Programs Student

New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient
An internship across three time zones?

June 16, 2022

Although short, the 3 months I spent at FPT Software (FSoft) provided a once in a lifetime opportunity which allowed me to not only immerse into the Vietnamese culture, but I was also given a place to improve myself and my abilities.

Just before I had commenced my virtual internship, I too had my own doubts on the viability of receiving a fulfilling work experience especially when it would be held purely online. I was however, proven wrong very quickly. The program gave us interns a platform and a chance to learn more about Vietnam together with our Vietnamese buddies, whom we spent our weekends in various activities to engage with during cultural exchanges.

As a foreign student, I was in a peculiar situation due to COVID-19 as I was working and studying from home. This meant that I was constantly juggling between 3 different time zones to work, study and rest. At first, I was quite frustrated by how the timings of my day would never line up, but as time passed on, I devised my own method of dealing with the inconsistencies between hours. Looking back, I can confidently say that my time management skills have improved greatly dealing with the stress of time zones!

Something I have found extremely useful during COVID, or in general, would be having 2 monitors or more which ultimately depends on preference. The second monitor was extremely useful in my case as it allowed me to constantly display a page tracking my resources, notes or even schedules and tasks I must complete for the day. Another extremely useful utilization is for taking notes during meetings, as this allows you to direct your attention to the speaker whilst being able to take lives notes with your opinions ready for questions you wish to ask.

There’s always a merit to everything you do, and it’s based on the actions you take. Knowing this, I made it a goal to train my interpersonal skills during my time at FSoft. Fortunately, I was placed into a development team with a fellow intern with whom I teamed up and improved my programming skills with as we worked on our tasks. Additionally, the various cultural exchange activities gave an opportunity to converse with local Vietnamese students which ultimately lead to friendships forged from over the internet, over hundreds of miles. Even without seeing my peers physically, the time I spent was real and tangible.

Overall, the choice I made to take on this virtual internship was correct, which ultimately created an amazing experience. The staff team behind this program was extremely welcoming and I can assure the same for you. If you were to make the choice, I highly recommend it, you can only regret the chances you don’t seize for yourself.

Justin Weit Kit Chin

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Global Short Programs Student
A virtual internship in Indonesia?

June 16, 2022
Taking part in this virtual global short program with Arkblu Captial allowed me to learn unique aspects of skills from another culture I wouldn’t have been able to grasp conventionally. This included holistically understanding and using skills of patience, time management, and adaptability by viewing them through a different lens. This is something I wouldn’t have initially done when tackling work before my virtual global short program.

Specifically, one of the things to know about Indonesian culture is that work progresses at a slower pace compared to work in Australia. Hence, I learnt quickly that Indonesian time was more relaxed and fluid, which gave me the opportunity to slow down and take things in stride. In this way, working with Arkblu Captial allowed me to spread out and allocate my work more efficiently. Additionally, being able to adjust my approach to varying tasks according to the different circumstances presented to me was an essential skill I became familiar with. These skills became invaluable in the high-performance training programs delivered throughout the internship by my supervisors and the organisation’s upper hierarchy.

Additionally, during this virtual global short program something I really loved and enjoyed was I was given the opportunity to learn from a different cultural and work environment whilst being able to gain valuable insights into the industry from colleagues all around the world. I especially liked the endless opportunities and experiences given from working within an international industry, specifically collaborating with people from various roles and different academic backgrounds. This allowed me to consult with people from different sectors of the industry and see what their roles look like in relation to the greater ecosystem of BUSINESS. Subsequently, I was given the opportunity to learn from my colleagues, giving me greater insights into how to confront future challenges whilst further adding depth to my skill set.

5 reasons to take on a virtual internship
1. You’ll experience another culture from your bedroom (workspace).
2. You’ll gain the opportunity to make an impact on the inner workings of an organisation.
3. You’ll creatively apply what you know and develop it further.
4. You’ll improve your professional soft skills.
5. You’ll make friends from across the world.
Chinatsu Ozawa

Bachelor of Business

Global Short Programs Student
Setting my sights on San Francisco

June 16, 2022

Having fallen in love with my experience engaging with the Global Short Program (GSP), which I undertook in San Francisco in 2019, I decided to partake in not only one more program but two.

My most recent experience was participating in a Virtual Global Short Program over the summer session of 2021/22. This program was an internship at BoConcept, a company based in San Francisco, United States, which was arranged through CISaustralia. While this virtual internship is primarily positioned for students and graduates to develop practical skills, industry connections and business experience without leaving home, I was fortunate enough to get the best of both worlds. Having conveniently located myself in the United States during 2022, this internship was the perfect opportunity for me to gain professional experience in the field of digital technology and innovation, as well as develop a network in the US with an international company.

While every day was different, over the 7 weeks my days consisted of working remotely on various projects and tasks which contributed value to the company. Some examples of work I engaged in include synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data to help drive product and design decisions, analysing user feedback and activity to enhance the user experience, and devising a proposal for a new brick and mortar store based on research and incorporating various innovation methods.

A highlight of this program was getting the opportunity to fly across to San Francisco for a short trip to meet my team and spend time in the vibrant tech ecosystem of the Bay Area. I was also lucky enough to be given a tour of the various landmarks holding historical and cultural significance, such as the birthplace of Silicon Valley, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mission District, among others.

While this program enabled me to work flexibly with autonomy over projects, I also had plenty of guidance and support from my internship supervisor. I couldn’t recommend engaging with Global Short Programs more! If you’re reading this and currently brainstorming ways to broaden your global citizenship skills, enhance your CV and build a strong professional identity, I would strongly encourage you to explore the option of this unique global learning experience

Milla Campbell

Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media), Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation

Global Short Programs Student
Szia Later Budapest!

October 18, 2021

Global Exchange at the University of Technology and Economics in Budapest, Hungary.

Szia! My name’s Isabella and this January I left Sydney for Global Exchange in Budapest, Hungary, at BME – Budapest University of Technology and Economics (opens up an external website), to continue my studies in Architecture. Unfortunately, like many other students, I had to return home after two months due to the global pandemic, so while I might have not had the typical exchange experience, it was nothing less than amazing.

“Budapest is an incredible city, a perfect fit for anyone who loves architecture, history and cheap eats.”
Isabella

Before applying for exchange, I did not know much about the city or the country itself and probably would have skipped it on international travels. Now I know what a huge mistake this would have been! The city is split into two sides by the large Danube – creating the Buda side and the Pest side which are connected by a family of beautiful bridges and has the best transport system I have seen in Europe, with super modern metro station and reliable tram lines. The country is in central Europe, so easily accessible from cities like Vienna, Prague, Bratislava and Zagreb. There are other cities within Hungary which are also charming and worth a visit, like Eger and Mohacs.

Hungary has faced a complex and sad history and thus displays an eclectic mix of cultural influences – think Turkish baths, Israeli food, Roman ruins, abandoned Communist-era buildings, and neo-baroque architecture. There is no shortage of things to see and do, and unlike other major European cities, it won’t break the bank – joining the EU in 2004, Hungary is cheap and still has its own currency – the Forint. Some of my favourite activities were visiting the two castles in the City – Buda Castle and Vajdahunyad Castle which are both straight out of a fairy tale.

The Caste District features the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias church which have the best view of the city and the most beautiful Parliament House on the bank of the Danube. Margaret Island which sits in the middle of the river is popular for sports, running and daytime drinks. Abandoned buildings on the outskirts of the city like the Red Train Yard, offer eerie insight into the communist era Hungary, which ended only in 1989.

“BME University was a great place to study and is the oldest technological university in the world.”
Isabella

The architecture building is the flagship university building, sitting along the River and is like a labyrinth of rooms. The main design subject was structured similarly to that of the design studios at UTS, though I would argue it’s a bit less full on than the UTS equivalent. The university is well known for its engineering program, so be very wary if choosing a construction subject as it will likely (from my experience) be much more difficult and in detail than anything taught in the Architecture degree at UTS. Like at UTS, we had both lectures and tutorials.

The Erasmus support network is very well set up, numerous events are organised for orientation and weekly, so building a network of friends from all across the world is very easy – I met people from numerous different countries including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Turkey, Italy, Finland, Taiwan, Brazil, Poland and the U.S to name a few.

“The nightlife in Budapest is fantastic, as the city has a large student population and the beers are super cheap.”
Isabella

On an endnote, booking an international flight with a day’s notice and packing 6 months worth of clothes in one night is not fun. I wouldn’t recommend travelling during a Global Pandemic, but at the end of the day, health is always no.1 !!

Isabella Healion
Bachelor of Design in Architecture
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Hungary

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