Hi, my name is Cato Chua, I'm from Singapore and I'm doing a Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management (recently renamed to Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management) at The University of Queensland. I'm also a UQ International Student Ambassador.
Why did you choose to study in Australia, and specifically at UQ?
I’ve always wanted to study in Australia since I first heard about the experiences of other student mentors who studied here. I chose UQ as its tourism programs are accredited by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and UQ is also the only university in Australia to be certified with the TedQual certification.
What are your thoughts on studying in Australia and Brisbane?
Settling into Brisbane was easy because the people are friendly and welcoming and I’ve made friends from many different countries. The lifestyle here is laidback and at a slower pace compared to where I come from and I really enjoy that. Simple things like thanking the bus driver amazes me.
My favourite places are the parks near my house where the sunset and sunrise are very beautiful, and I also love the CityCat rides on the river.
What are the best things about your program at UQ?
My love of travelling has led me to pursue studies in international hotel and tourism management. UQ's hospitality and tourism management programs have consistently ranked highly and Queensland is truly an amazing place to study tourism.
The lecturers and tutors here are professional and always excited to share their insights on tourism which are very interesting.
What advice would you give people from other countries about studying at UQ?
Don't be afraid to ask for help and more information. The staff, lecturers and tutors were extremely helpful in providing answers to my queries even before I accepted my offer. If you already have the idea of coming to study at UQ, just go for it!
