Gold Coast Mayor international student ambassadors blown away by lifestyle and opportunity
They are some of the world’s best and brightest from overseas - and increasingly choosing the Gold Coast to elevate their lives. Find out why.
Women of the Year
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The 2022 Gold Coast Mayor’s Student Ambassadors are from 14 countries, representing nine Gold Coast institutions.
Over the year the Ambassadors will encounter a range of activities which will see them grow academically, personally and professionally within a program designed to build a deeper understanding of themselves, their fellow students and the wider Gold Coast community.
Read on discover what makes the 2022 female contingent such exceptional young people.
MEET THE YOUNG WOMEN REPRESENTING DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AS 2022 GOLD COAST MAYOR’S STUDENT AMBASSADORS
SUJIN KIM (Busan, South Korea – Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction, TAFE)
“There are many wonderful beaches, traditional markets and festivals in Busan, so it’s a popular tourist destination. Whenever I used to see people from overseas on the street I would talk to them. I was always curious where they had come from and it helped me to improve my English. In Korea, I attained a Business Administration degree and at that time I thought I might become an employee of a major company or an accountant, but just before I graduated I spent a year in Canada and it changed my perspective. Living life without competing with other people there allowed me to focus on what I really wanted to do, without living up to anyone else’s expectations. I decided I wanted to explore the world and meet more people with different stories from diverse backgrounds. Studying boat building on the Gold Coast is amazing. There are many marine businesses, so it was easy for me to get a job and gain valuable work experience while studying. I’m working with Riviera, the largest luxury yacht manufacturer in Australia. I want to share with people how much I’m loving my Gold Coast experience and the Mayor’s Student Ambassador Program is a great way.”
ELENI-PINELOPI TSOLAKIDOU (Thessaloniki, Greece – Master of Dentistry, Griffith University)
I was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, moving to Australia when I was eight. Thessaloniki holds many childhood memories including excursions in the beautiful forests and singing Christmas carols in the snow. We would also spend time in Litohoro, my grandfather’s village, at the base of Mount Olympus. It was so beautiful and reminds me of the Gold Coast. I chose to study dentistry because I’m passionate about health and helping people, and over the years I’ve realised dentistry is so much more than just that; something as small as a tooth can have such a huge impact on life, and it became about building trust with every patient and developing a desire to genuinely help them. The Gold Coast is a wonderful place to live. Griffith University offers such a great clinical dentistry program, and it feels like I’m working towards my dream every day, while also being in the presence of a beautiful city.
I joined the Mayor’s Student Ambassador Program because I’d like to show students how great it could be to live here.”
CECILIA PICAUT (France – Diploma in Leadership and Management, Australian Pacific College)
“I’m from the Corsaire (which translates to pirates working for the king) town of Saint-Malo in Brittany, North-West of France. I grew up by the sea (the Channel), so I’ve always been surrounded by water, living an outdoor beach life (even though it’s way colder than on the Gold Coast). My home town is full of history and we are proud of it. As a swimmer, I chose the natural path for me at the time: swimmer, beach lifeguard, swim instructor then I followed my childhood dream by joining the French army. I was in civilian defence for eight years working as a sport and first aid instructor. In my training, I also became a firefighter, flood rescuer, and even had my certification in dangerous coast rescuing. I learnt so much about myself it totally changed my life and is one of the reasons why I wasn’t afraid to come to Australia by myself.
The Gold Coast is a beautiful city with an enviable lifestyle. I love walking on the beach every morning and go surfing as much as I can. It’s such a wonderful place to feel happy and safe as everything comes with ease.”
QUYNH TRAM TRANOVA (Czech Republic – Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons), Griffith University)
“My parents migrated from Vietnam to Czechia, where they fell in love, and I was born and raised there so I have two first languages, Vietnamese and Czech. I grew up in Karlovy Vary, a small mountain town famous for its beautiful architecture and healing hot springs. Growing up there was great, but there were not many opportunities. I moved to Prague and since it was the first time I was on my own I spent a lot of time discovering who I wanted to be. I enrolled at Charles University, where I studied the humanities which fostered my eventual career path when I became interested in psychology. While I was studying I worked as a croupier in a casino, but the long hours were exhausting, so I came to the Gold Coast, which was one of the best decisions I ever made. After studying at the Griffith English Language Institute I received the Griffith International Scholarship with a direct entry to the Bachelor of Psychological Science at Griffith University, from which I graduated last year. I am in my fourth year working towards my thesis. I’ve had the most wonderful time living and studying here.”
LUISA COELHO PINHEIO (Sao Paulo, Brazil – Master of Teaching, Southern Cross University)
“I admire my country and I love what a big, busy city such as São Paulo has to offer. Growing up there was like having a huge menu in front of you, so many options that you don’t even know what to order. From bars, restaurants and nightclubs (that stay open until late, which I miss a lot) to museums, parks, performances and concerts. I lived in Brisbane for almost four years before moving to the Gold Coast. This city was always such an attractive destination for anyone wanting to recharge. There is an amazing balance of life here that so many people dream about. It’s a place where you can have it all – there’s time for everything you want to do, whether that’s going to work, studying, recharging your batteries, getting close to nature, or meeting friends – it’s all about actually enjoying life. I chose to study a Master of Teaching because I strongly believe in the power of education to reach a positive change in the world. After I graduate I aspire to be a full-time preschool teacher and advocate for early years learning development.”
OLIVIA CHUDLEIGH (Adelaide, Australia – Bachelor of Laws/Business, Bond University)
“I am from Adelaide, the calm and beautiful capital of South Australia. I grew up living by the beach, spending lots of time with my family fishing on our boat or on camping trips to the river. When I was younger I also lived in Hong Kong for a few years and it has always been my second home. Hong Kong is so fun and lively, with a busy night life. Living overseas was a significant part of my life, as it shaped me as a person from being immersed in different cultures. The Gold Coast is a favourite family holiday destination and I always loved the whole vibe of the city, as it was filled with so many fun things to do, especially the fun parks. In Year 12, I came to the realisation I wanted to study outside of Adelaide, and I learnt about Bond University after being enrolled in a mooting competition. The more I learnt about the opportunities Bond had to offer, the more I set my heart on studying at Bond.
My favourite thing about studying at Bond University is how supportive the community is, and as a student, there are endless opportunities available to us, especially as we work towards our future career goals. Living on campus at Bond has been a great experience, as I have met so many amazing people and made memories of a lifetime.”
TWISHA BOKHOREE (Mauritius – Master of Marketing and International Business, Griffith University)
“Although I was born in Mauritius, I spent the majority of my life growing up in the UK. As a younger kid I was quiet and reserved and did not have many friends. My life in England was still amazing though, and some of the best years of my life. I remember seeing my family every weekend, having sleepovers with my cousins and found true happiness in the annual blankets of snow. There was nothing a mug of hot chocolate and pair of rain boots couldn’t fix, and I really do miss those times. I regularly visited my home country of Mauritius too, and there was always something about the exotic beaches, home cooked meals and colourful cultures that excited me. I first heard about the Gold Coast when learning about the most touristy areas in Australia. I had always wondered what life would be like on the Gold Coast, and now that I’m here it does not disappoint. The Gold Coast offers friendliness, openness to culture [diversity] and an abundance of opportunities I know I won’t get elsewhere. I feel as though I have a better chance of being myself and succeeding. The friends I’ve made here have become more like a family.”
KELLY LIZARAZO (Colombia – Diploma of Aged Care, Charlton Brown)
“I am from Santa Marta, a small city in the Caribbean region of Colombia. I had a very happy childhood, although my family’s economic conditions were not very favorable. My parents always say the best gift they can give us is an education and thanks to that I have come so far, being the first in my family to study overseas. I have always been an altruistic person - in my country I worked as a nurse and volunteer and by studying a Diploma of Community Service I saw the opportunity to help people with disabilities and older adults by supporting the community to meet their basic needs and live in comfort.
In 2016 I quit my job and sold all my belongings to go backpacking through South America. Travelling alone as a woman through these countries is quite dangerous due to insecurity, but it was one of the best experiences of my life. Sometimes taking risks brings great learning.
What I like most about living and studying on the Gold Coast is that every day you have the opportunity for new experiences and meet people from all over the world.”
JENNY GUNNARSSON (Sweden – Master of Speech Pathology, Griffith University)
“I grew up in Sweden and Taiwan, so life was very diverse for me. Both countries are beautiful in their own ways. Sweden is peaceful, a land of endless countryside, with the Nordic winters transforming to sunny summer days. Taiwan is densely populated, but always bustling with life, has a rich cultural and spiritual heritage and incredible food and night life. Being multilingual has definitely shaped me. I grew up speaking Swedish, Mandarin Chinese and English, and during my education I studied German and Italian. I’m about to start a course in Auslan (Australian Sign Language). I am studying a Master of Speech Pathology because I found passion in voice disorders, vocal rehabilitation and working with voice active careers (such as singers, actors and teachers), as well as bilingual or multilingual children or adults. Voice and language are two important aspects close to my heart that as a classical singer and multilinguist I wanted to explore while helping those in the community who are having difficulties across these realms. I decided to study on the Gold Coast because I was looking for a university that offered real-life, hands-on experiences from the start of the degree. The course is young but already has a fantastic reputation and that really appealed to me. The food and lifestyle on the Gold Coast is an added bonus that makes studying here so much better.”
ZHUOMINNA MA (China – Year 12, Queensland Academies of Health Sciences)
“I moved to Australia when I was eight or nine, living first in Melbourne and then on the Gold Coast. Before that, I called Beijing my home, and in a sense, it still is. Despite my love for the Gold Coast, Beijing has the charm of ancient history and the modern conveniences of traditional palaces next to high-rise skyscrapers. Much of my childhood in China was spent in favourite bookstores and fooling around with a gaggle of children in our apartment block. The food was also unparalleled. I am looking to study natural sciences or engineering in the future. I enjoy learning, and I believe the sciences provide a uniquely beautiful perspective on the world. I can’t imagine myself studying something not related to science. My family fell in love with the Gold Coast almost immediately after holidaying here. The rest is history. The freedom and the easy-going vibes here, combined with the exquisite natural environment, are the city’s best assets. I love how close nature is to us on a daily basis with the proximity to beautiful beaches and the abundance of natural parks. Furthermore, the Gold Coast has all the conveniences of an urban city, but without all the noise and the hustle.”
SHANIE SAAVEDRA (Philippines – Marketing and Communications, Entrepreneur Education)
“I grew up in the Philippines’ Queen City of the South-Cebu. Though a small and laidback island, we host the biggest festival in the country, Sinulog, with a parade of dancing queens and colourful entourage dancing in the streets all day long. Our island is a melting pot of various cultures - as you walk along the streets, you can see the mix of traditional beliefs amid the modern day hustle. As for the scenery, you get the perfect blend of mountain and sea, where each is an hour’s drive away. In the midst of the Omicron COVID variant my hometown was hit by Typhoon Rai about two months before my trip to the Gold Coast. If anything, the experience taught me resilience. If I could survive a month without electricity and only a limited supply of food and drinking water in the middle of a pandemic, I knew I could handle just about anything. I have always been an island girl, wanting to pursue urban life but not wanting to leave the ocean behind. On the Gold Coast I’m able to experience the best of both worlds. At first I was worried that I’d have to make significant adjustments when I moved here, but it’s such a convenient place to live that the beach, school, grocery, tram… almost everything is a 10-minute walk from my place. It’s also nice that our educational institution has such a diverse group of students and a practical approach to teaching the necessary skills to help us improve in our field.”
JEANE VAN DAM (South Africa – Bachelor of Law and Commerce, Bond University)
“I’m from a small town named ‘Vanderbijlpark’ in beautiful South Africa where my family still live. South Africa is known for its many cultures, and I am grateful I got to grow up in such a diverse environment. It taught me how to respect people from different races and backgrounds. I am the proud founder of my own non-profit organisation ‘The Beauty of Caring’, which provides funding to educate young boys and girls whose families can’t afford to send them to school. We also provide food and necessities to the less fortunate. Last year I was crowned Miss Grand South Africa and had the opportunity to represent my country at one of the world’s biggest international beauty pageants, ‘Miss Grand international’. I am proud to say that I placed 4th out of 60 countries in the finals. In 2017 my family came to Australia for a holiday and that’s when I fell in love with the Gold Coast. I had the opportunity to visit Bond University while I was here and I knew then that was where I wanted to study. My goal is to grow my business and become a successful female entrepreneur. hopefully becoming a role model to young girls who dream of becoming successful businesswomen.”
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