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Tara Kwan

Meet Tara from Hong Kong (SAR), studying Psychological Science in Australia

UQ people
Published 20 Jul, 2024  ·  3-minute read

Hi, my name is Tara Kwan and I'm from Hong Kong (SAR). I'm studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at The University of Queensland. I'm also a Brisbane International Student Ambassador.

Why did you choose to study in Australia and specifically at UQ?

I visited Australia with my family when I was younger and enjoyed my time in Queensland the most.

Knowing that UQ has a high reputation, the campus is beautiful and the facilities are full of resources, combined with the vibrance of Brisbane City, convinced me that UQ is the ideal university for international students to have a good student experience.

Tara Kwan

What are your thoughts on studying in Australia and Brisbane?

What I like the most about living in Brisbane is the lifestyle we get to experience. There are many festivals and weekend markets in Brisbane throughout the year. It’s also very convenient to travel to national parks and islands for a weekend getaway. Otherwise, taking a walk along the Brisbane River or going out for brunch with friends at a cozy cafe would be a perfect way to relax after a week of uni.

Queensland has left me with a wonderful impression with its lovely weather and a warm, welcoming multicultural community. Living in Brisbane makes me feel like I’m on an adventure.

Compared to my hometown Hong Kong (SAR), this city has a relaxing lifestyle which provides for a greater work-life balance. I've also made friends from different cultural backgrounds by joining different student clubs and programs.

Why did you choose your program?

I hope to contribute to promoting mental health and wellbeing in the community.

I am grateful to UQ’s School of Psychology for providing students with a wide range of choices for psychology-related courses, which enables me to learn about the fundamentals and to explore modern fields of psychology simultaneously. The professors and tutors are always enthusiastic and helpful with my learning.

What are the best things about your program at UQ?

I chose to study psychology because of the importance of individual mental health in our stressful modern society, so I am interested in exploring different psychology topics.

The best thing about my program is the wide range of courses available to students. We have the chance to choose electives we are interested in on top of the compulsory units. There are lots of opportunities for first-year students to get involved in different psychology research projects at the university, which was very exciting for us!

I also took part in a short-term study abroad program at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. I got to know more about Korean culture and really enjoyed experiencing university life in Korea.

2018 Brisbane International Student Ambassadors at Brisbane City Hall

What advice would you give people from other countries about studying at UQ?

Don’t be afraid to talk to people from different cultural backgrounds as Australia is a multicultural country where every culture is welcomed. Always be open to new experiences because you never know where life will take you.

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