Meet the 2020 StudyAdelaide Student Ambassador team! Their role is to help you get the most from your Adelaide experience. Some day soon there will be opportunities to meet these passionate people in person. In the meantime, catch up with them online when they play host at our upcoming virtual events, including Friends of the World.
Read on to learn more about where they’re from, what they’re studying, and the special ‘Adelaide’ advice they’d like to share.
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Kate Tolhurst
Ask the questions! Hi everyone! My name is Kate and I am an Adelaide local. I love studying in Adelaide and am so happy for the opportunity to meet people from all different cultures and promote why I think Adelaide is an amazing place to study. My best piece of advice for international students is to never be afraid to ask questions. My favourite Japanese proverb says, “聞くは一時の恥 聞かぬは一生の恥” and translates to, “Asking a question is shameful for a moment, but not asking is shameful for a lifetime”. |
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Mousumi Sarkar Rakhi
Experience the beauty of Adelaide Hello! My name is Mousumi. I am from Bangladesh. Like my favourite quote from Robert Frost says, “And miles to go before I sleep." Life has given a lot to me. I want to pay back. Becoming a StudyAdelaide Ambassador is my chance to pay back the amazing experience I have been gaining here by supporting new international students to feel comfortable at the beginning of their Adelaide journey. For me, Adelaide is a city of beauty and I want to explore every part of it. I hope that every international student will experience the beauty of Adelaide. |
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Taochakkreytap Lee (Chak)
Believe in yourself Chom Reap Sour, my name is Taochakkreytap and I am a student from Cambodia. Studying in Adelaide had been a wonderful experience for me; many people have been very kind and welcoming. I have grown so much since moving to Adelaide and being a StudyAdelaide Ambassador will give me the opportunity to share my experience with new students. There are times when I met many setbacks but that's okay, where there's a will, there's a way. Never give up and always believe in yourself. |
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Xiaoqing Guo (Amber) Actively engage Nǐ hǎo! I am Xiaoqing (Amber) from China. Being a StudyAdelaide Ambassador is a great opportunity for me to do what I love, interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, listening to their stories as well as sharing my own experiences living and studying in Adelaide. Developing these social and community connections will be an invaluable treasure for my future life. My tip is to actively engage in activities and events in Adelaide to build up your connections and confidence. |
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Rui Ma Be open-minded Hello, I am Rui and I’m from China. Adelaide is a city that made me feel welcome from the very first day. StudyAdelaide gives me the opportunity to make friends with different culture backgrounds and support them to feel welcome too. My favorite quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.” So, be open-minded, Adelaide is definitely a place worth exploring and you will create unique experiences and memories that are all yours! |
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Marcela Tobon
You are not alone Hola, hola! My name is Marcela and I am a Colombian girl in love with the culture, people and natural spots in Adelaide. It is an incredible study environment that gives you the opportunity to travel and discover memorable places. Moving to a new place can be challenging, however, there are so many activities that are going to make your time here more enjoyable and amazing. The key is not going alone in this journey: making as many friends as possible and create your ''home away from home''. Friends from different nationalities will enrich your experience and will change your life forever. |
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Melinda Ho Chin Ching Dream without rushing Hello! I’m Melinda from Hong Kong. Studying in Adelaide is a transformational and unforgettable experience for me; it’s relaxing and revitalising. I feel living here gives you time to think about yourself and your purpose, to thrive and achieve more and get closer to your dream without rushing. I can’t wait to see you all and be here to enlighten your Adelaide journey in the near future. |
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Urmila Walke
Shed your inhibitions Namaste, my name is Urmila and I am from India. I enjoy interacting with people and studying in Adelaide has helped me to network with people from diverse backgrounds. I am curious by nature and always on the lookout to learn new things. My advice is to treasure your time as a student, shed your inhibitions and have a blast while you are here. |
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Renalu Mascarenhas Connect with people Namaste! I am Renalu from India. I want to create a unique international student experience filled with long-lasting memories so as a study Adelaide ambassador, I am thrilled with the opportunity to meet people from different cultures and explore each other’s lifestyle. I’ve fallen in love with Adelaide’s meat pies, approachable, friendly and welcoming culture, laid-back environment and even Aussie slang! I’m creating a home far away from home. This city has a lot to offer just be yourself, connect with people from various backgrounds and I guarantee you will have an amazing time. |
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Subook Samridhi Celebrate diversity Hello! I am Subook from India. Adelaide is a great place with warm, friendly and welcoming people that celebrates its diversity. Moving here to start university was very overwhelming yet very rewarding. There is a lot of help available and I’d love to be able to help new students embrace Adelaide and feel at home. As a Study Adelaide Ambassador, I’m looking forward to exploring more of Adelaide with great people (and coffee!), while being able to reflect back on my experience to assist the best I can. |
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Shanjaye Raj
Leave your comfort zone! Hello! I am Shanjaye from Malaysia. I have been in Adelaide for long enough now to call it my second home. I applied for the StudyAdelaide Ambassador role because I am very passionate about my student experience in Adelaide and I would like to share the good vibes with all of you. Adelaide is a city designed for students and there are so many unique opportunities out there for you. Make the most out of your time here by leaving your comfort zone and trying out new things! |
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Bryan Ong
Take the opportunities! Apa Khabar! I'm Bryan and I am from Malaysia. This is my fourth year studying in Adelaide. It’s a beautiful city to live in as it has a perfect study-life balance. I have a passion for helping international students adjust and make the most out of their time here in Adelaide – a city full of opportunities. So if you ever do see me around Adelaide, come say hello. I promise I won't bite! |
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Pratik Gautam Be optimistic! Namaste ?! I am Pratik from Nepal. Adelaide is a lovable city and everyone I have met here are warm-hearted and helpful. No matter how long you stay here you can’t get enough of it. Facing some difficulties at the beginning is common for every international student, what you should strive for is to see what lies ahead of those problems and you will find the expected outcome. Being passionate and having positive attitude is the key so try to always have fun and be optimistic no matter what life throws at you! |
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Del del Fierro Open yourself up! Mabuhay! My name’s Del and I’m from the land with 7,107 islands, the Philippines! There’s nothing like getting in touch and in tune with nature! What better way to do that then through mountain hiking, camping, and bush walking which I so have grown to love here in South Australia. If you don’t see me walking around on my two feet, then you’ll see me spinning around the roads and trails on my trusted steed of a mountain bike! Being new here to Adelaide, I have learned to CONNECT and EMBRACE. CONNECT with your loved ones, family, friends, and peers back at home; they provide the emotional and mental anchor and support to help get us through our studies. EMBRACE the new life and adventures that beautiful Adelaide has to offer. In a new city, embracing and opening up ourselves to new lessons, cultures, places, food, and friendships, will help enrich our experiences and memories. |
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Ryan Moon
Bachelor of IT (Networking and Cybersecurity), Flinders University
Say yes! Hi! My name is Ryan and I’m from North Carolina, USA. I moved to Australia following six years as an enlisted airman in the United States Air Force. Adelaide’s been my home since December 2014. In my role as a StudyAdelaide Student Ambassador I most look forward to helping my fellow international students make South Australia their second home too. My advice when it comes to living here is to say yes to new opportunities, you never know who you'll meet or what interesting experiences it will provide. Adelaide has so much to offer and is truly a wonderful place to live and study. |
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Anh Tuan Phu (Antoine) Embrace the wonderful journey Hello! My name is Antoine and I am from Vietnam. Adelaide has been a wonderful experience for me so far. I absolutely love this city, especially the people and the chilled vibe. I applied for the Student Ambassador role because I want to share my experience to international students around the world, meet brilliant people from different backgrounds and further explore the beautiful Adelaide. I know, from my personal experience, that adapting to a new life in a new country is challenging when one has to cope with the language barrier, culture shock and homesickness. I would love to help international students overcome such difficulties and feel welcome. I hope you all embrace the wonderful journey that you will have in Adelaide. |
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Nam Thanh Nguyen (Nathan) Be proactive Xin chào! I am Nam Thanh Nguyen from Vietnam and you can call me Nathan. Adelaide has been an ideal city for me to live, study and make new friends from all over the world. Since I first came to Adelaide, I have received many helpful tips and advice from the friendly people here. Being a StudyAdelaide Ambassador gives me the chance to share that knowledge with new students so that they too can enjoy the best study experience. My first recommendation is to be proactive in whatever you do and keep searching for opportunities whenever possible. |