Peng from China

Choosing Australia 

I studied a Bachelor of Engineering degree and worked in the industry in China for 5 years after graduating.  

I was keen to pursue a Master degree overseas, particularly in an English-speaking countriy, that would make me an attractive employee for international companies.

Australia was my first option as it’s quite close to China. The time difference is only two hours, which meant I wouldn’t have to call my family in the middle of the night. 

I chose to study at University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) because the course offers national accreditation as a professional engineer with Engineers Australia and the tuition fees and cost of living in Toowoomba are quite affordable.

Life in Toowoomba

I had never heard of Toowoomba before I came to Australia. All I knew was that it was called the ‘Garden City’ when I Googled it. I’ve lived in Toowoomba now for 4 years and it’s a very beautiful and quiet city, which is an ideal place for study and research. It’s not too far to drive to Brisbane - Queensland’s capital city. If I have a craving for my hometown flavours, all I have to do is jump in the car and I’m there for lunch.

I also like the subtropical climate in Queensland and have travelled to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay and Fraser Island during my time here. Queensland is a huge state and it’s a great destination for international students as there are city, town and rural study experiences.

Making connections

It isn’t difficult for international students to meet people and make connections in Toowoomba. I’ve found Aussie people are friendly and happy to talk to you, and that’s helped to improve my English a lot after coming here. I’ve also made friends from all over the world and learnt about different ways of thinking, which is also great for improving my professional skills and personal development.

Practical learning

My degree is closely connected to, and developed with, industry partners.  

I’m working on a multi-party project between the Queensland Government, UniSQ and an industry partner, using composite materials to develop an alternative for traditional timber railway sleepers.  

This project has allowed me to grow my industry network, which will help me with my future career. It has given me confidence and allowed me pursue further research opportunities.