Hailing from Suzhou, China, Yutong Weng studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at UQ. He has wholly embraced the international student experience and flourished on both an academic and personal level.
Settling in Brisbane
Raised in a busy city, Yutong settled on Brisbane as the ideal location to study so he could experience the familiarity of urban life as well as the unique Australian coastline nearby. Queensland’s famously sunny weather was another attraction to Yutong, and he makes the most of it to unwind outside of study hours with trips to the beach.
“My favourite places - the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast - are both perfect spots to relax. They are not too far away from Brisbane, so someone like me who does not have a driver’s licence can go there by train from the city,” Yutong says.
“I prefer to find a beachside restaurant at dusk, enjoying fantastic food in the gentle sea breeze.”
Since moving to Brisbane, Yutong has also discovered a fondness for cooking. Whether it’s trips to the grocery store, figuring out the secret to cooking the perfect steak, or hosting dinner parties, food has been an anchor for Yutong in Brisbane.
Sharing meals has also allowed him to connect with fellow international students and local students alike, fostering a sense of community and an appreciation for other cultures.
“It is special to experience the culture of different countries, especially in a multicultural country like Australia."
Life on campus
Yutong lived in Kev Carmody House, a purpose-built student accommodation on UQ’s St Lucia campus. The accommodation is a top pick for international students due to its world-class facilities, focus on support and wellbeing and the convenience of location.
“It’s a five-minute walk from most of my classes to home – I can wake up at 9am and still hit my first class at 10am on time. No trains, no fuss, it’s so easy,” says Yutong.
“I live with Chinese and local students, and I love having the chance to spend time with them.”
Whether it’s booking a study room or grabbing a coffee from the many cafés on campus, Yutong spends his days taking advantage of all the great study spaces and facilities on offer at UQ.
“The UQ Library is a great study place, but I find something new every day – a different space to enjoy, relax and also hit the books. St Lucia is a great campus to spend time on. The services are really great.”
Bachelor of Engineering at UQ
Not only is UQ number one in Queensland for engineering and technology, but it is also home to the largest number of study options for engineering in Queensland. Students can choose to undertake a flexible first year to get a feel for all six specialisations: Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Robotic and Mechatronic, or Software Engineering. If they prefer, they can also enrol directly in their chosen area of study from day one.
The flexibility of this program appealed to Yutong, as he was eager to expose himself to as many areas of engineering as possible. He enjoys the practical aspects of the engineering program and values the support provided by UQ staff for the more challenging assessments, like building a PCB board.
“In ENGG2800, I needed to design and build my own PCB board but I had no experience in soldering before. The school's Engineering and Technical Support Group (ETSG) runs free tutorials on soldering in person,” Yutong says.
“The staff in ETSG are all very kind and patient to listen to your question and help you find a way to solve it.”
Through utilising these services and always being open to communicating and exchanging ideas with peers and professors, Yutong has achieved full marks in most of his assessments so far.
Words of advice for international students
Being away from family and his previous support network, Yutong has learned how to independently deal with the challenges of studying overseas – but he also emphasises the importance of reaching out for help.
“I think no matter where you decide to study, physical and mental health both come first. It is hard for students overseas, especially for those who have a language barrier, to leave their comfort zone to study in an unfamiliar country,” Yutong says.
“Some days are better than others. It is important to seek help when you realise you have been unwell mentally or emotionally, and there are counselling services on campus which you can feel free to book.”
UQ is always working to create a supportive and inclusive culture by promoting better mental health and wellbeing, and offers a wide range of support services available both on campus and via phone.
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