Former international student Minh Quang Le landed in Brisbane ready to throw himself into his studies and discover what life in Australia might hold.
Leaving behind the fast-paced streets of Hanoi, he chose to study a Bachelor of Science (Food Science and Nutrition) at UQ. Minh quickly discovered Brisbane offered the perfect mix of opportunity, community and calm.
Today, he’s a senior food technologist at a global food company. We spoke to Minh to find out more about his journey from international student to industry professional and the vibrant life he’s built in sunny Brisbane.
Why Brisbane?
Minh says there were several things that influenced his choice to live and study in Brisbane.
One was the cost of living. Brisbane offers more affordability than other Australian cities. This meant his student budget could stretch further, so it was easier to enjoy everything life in the city has to offer.
Another thing that was important to Minh was to find a place that offered plenty of opportunities to keep busy outside of study. Being from Hanoi – one of the busiest cities in the world – he was excited to explore a place that offered both peace and quiet as well as fun and excitement.
The last thing that helped Minh choose Brisbane was a recommendation from his mum’s friend who had previously studied and worked in Brisbane.
“He really spoke highly of Queensland and Brisbane,” Minh explains.
“So I think that was also a big part of the decision to come here.”
A great place to learn
Minh has countless happy memories of his time at UQ, but he says some of his most prized are from his time at International House (IH) College, one of UQ’s residential colleges.
Not only did he live at the college for 2 out of his 3 years of study, but he was also the cross-cultural convenor of IH Student Club. Here, he led lots of cross-cultural events and got to know other international students from more than 20 different countries.
Always working towards his future, Minh also says he made use of UQ’s career advice and support services.
“The adviser there, when I met them in my first year, told me everything about interviews, CVs, LinkedIn and all that... and those lay the foundations for my internship,” he says.
“I got 2 internships during my study, which really paved the way for me to go into my full-time role.”
UQ has plenty of services available to help students tackle almost any challenge.
“There are lots of support services for mental health and physical health, or in your career," says Minh.
“I really loved the sheer number of clubs and societies – there’s over 220! – coupled with many uni job opportunities like student ambassadors and event staff. These ensure that you develop skills outside of the classroom, which is very important for your life and career.”
Overall, Minh says he found UQ a very nice place to be.
“The campus is lovely. Even now, I still go there to do work and learn courses. It's a good place to be focused and work, you know?”
Loving life in Brisbane
Many years after his move, Minh is proud to still call Brisbane home, even though a lot has changed in the city in a few short years.
“I think with the horizon of the Olympics coming up in 2032, there’s lots of building, and many people moving over,” he says.
“If I compare Brisbane now to when I first came, honestly it’s a lot of change. Like, wow, there are a lot more restaurants, a few more entertainment places too.”
But even in the middle of the hustle and bustle, Minh still finds plenty of calm.
“You can still find peace and quiet. I’ve recently started doing some running – I’m aiming for a 10k – and Brisbane is just perfect for that. I wouldn't be able to find so many scenic and beautiful running and bicycle trails around a river back in my very busy home town, Hanoi. The city layout is absolutely ideal for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which is very important to me.”
Advice for other international students
Minh’s biggest piece of advice for other international students is to put themselves out there in whatever way they can.
“I think for international students, you’re coming out of your country to experience something new,” he says.
“One is education, right, but the other part is life!”
As someone who describes himself as an extrovert, Minh says this comes naturally to him, but it can be a little trickier for others. But, if you can find ways to do it, he adds, the rewards are great – lifelong friends from around the world and many other useful connections, not just for your career, but also your everyday life.
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