Adelaide Uni’s Got Talent 2021 winner Joash Tham’s ‘Adelaide For Me’ music video

A catchy ode to Adelaide from a homesick international dentistry student has won hearts – and first prize – in a uni talent search. Hear his song.

A heartfelt song by a homesick international student has won first prize in a university talent quest.

Joash Tham from Singapore said he was watching the sunset at Hallett Cove when he became overwhelmed with emotion.

“All I could think of when I stood at the top of the cove was my family, and how I knew they would absolutely love to see something as magnificent and beautiful as this,” he said.

“I resolved to put how I was feeling into a song, one that would cheer me up whenever I sang it in my bedroom during waves of homesickness.”

Dentistry student from Singapore Joash Tham. Picture: Emma Brasier

Joash began writing about all the places he would like to show his family, including the beach, the Adelaide Central Market, Hot and Spicy Kitchen restaurant and the University of Adelaide, where he studies dentistry.

Since arriving in 2019, Mr Tham has made good friends at university and at Trinity Church Adelaide.

“From having never heard of this city before coming to study here in 2019, to already knowing that it will be very difficult to say goodbye when I graduate in 2023, it’s amazing how a place makes its way into our hearts without even realising it,”
the 23-year-old said.

He was thrilled to win first prize and $500 in the Adelaide Uni’s Got Talent competition, hosted by the Adelaide University Union, with Adelaide For Me.

“Some, strangers even, have messaged me about how much they resonate with the song I wrote about missing family, and that was very encouraging as it was comforting,” Mr Tham said.

The competition received 2100 votes from more than 30 countries, including Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil, Italy, China, Japan, Netherlands and
the US.