Feedback from International
Students
Back to Testimonials List |
See also Home Stay
Information
 Interview with
Izabela (1st September 2005)
Name: Izabela Guimarães Vieira Coelho
Age:
16
From: Brazil
Number of years/month studying in Hervey Bay: 6
months (so far 1 month)
Institution Name:
Urangan State High School
Year Level/Tertiary Level: Senior Secondary Year 11
1. Why did you decide to study in Australia? My friend who is
studying in TAFE recommended the amazing country exchange program.
Secondly, Australia is a beautiful country. Thirdly, I was thrilled by
the fact that Australia is far away from my home country Brazil.
2. What are the advantages of studying in Hervey Bay? It provides
me brand new experience about everything. For example, the different
ways to do things, the selection of school subjects, and the time table
- In Brazil, school starts at 7:00am; while in Australia, school starts
on 9:00am.
Plus, Hervey Bay is a small city; therefore I am able to receive more
attention, and more of a home feeling.
3. Have you experienced any culture shock? Everything! In Brazil,
lunch is the important meal, dinner is not important at all; Australian
has earlier bed time; and in Brazil, you cannot work until you are 18
years old, however, in Australia, you can work even you are under 18;
and while driving, in Brazil, you drive on the right side, while in
Australia, you drive on the left side.
A good thing is that the food is similar in Brazil and Australia.
4. How did you overcome this culture shock? I am a person who
easily adapts to a new environment, so for me, it is easy to overcome
the culture shock by adapting to Australia’s way of living. For example,
crossing the road does not cause me confusing any more as I know which
way to look now!
5. Where are you living? I am living with my home stay family.
6. What are the advantages of living in this situation for your
study/language? First, I am the only child in my family.
However, in my home stay family, I have five brothers and sisters that I
can play with and talk to.
Secondly, I get along really well with my home stay family; it feels
like my own home.
Thirdly, where I stay is close to the school, only half an hour walking
distance.
7. How do you feel about the support provided for international
students in your current institution? It is great. For example,
every Thursday, Ms Jane Sheldon helps us with all the subjects; every
Monday, we have a meeting to communicate about our issues, problems,
etc. And not only one teacher, but all the teachers here are
helpful.
8. During your study in Australia, what has been the most rewarding
moment for you and why? On the first day I was here, my
Australia friends came up and wanted to meet me and help me, and they
treated me as an old friend.
That makes me feel welcome; they are just like my friends in Brazil.
9. What’s your next future plan? In December this year, I
will finish my study in Australia and return to Brazil. At this
stage, I have no further plans yet.
10. Why would you recommend Hervey Bay (your institution) as a good
place to study? I have recommended it to one of my best
friends already, and I think that she will come. Here is very safe, and
I do not want to go back to Brazil. I only cried when I left Brazil;
since I am in Australia, I have not been home sick, I am really having a
good time here.
 |
