PORTFOLIO OF WORK
March 2021
For Maggie, 29 November 2020 was a life-changing day: it was the day she departed her home country of Hong Kong and embarked on a new educational adventure in Australia. In this interview, she shares her experience on the first-ever international student charter flight to Australia amid COVID-19 and her new life down under.
February 2021
It's Mardi Gras season! The time when rainbow colours and glitter brighten the streets of Sydney. The time when people band together to honour the history of the LGBTQI+ community. The time when unity and joy take precedence above all else. This guide tells you everything you need to know about the 2021 Sydney Mardi Gras festival to celebrate in style.
Virtual internships allow international students to boost your professional portfolio by working remotely. From the various internship providers in Australia to the skills you’ll gain through the experience, this is everything you need to know about online internship programs in Australia.
Fast-paced, innovative and rewarding, medicine is one of the most exciting fields to become involved in. This piece details some of the most important information about how to study medicine in Australia for international students.
Nurses are some of the most important pillars of the global healthcare system. Not only is nursing an incredibly gratifying career, but it also offers diverse employment opportunities and excellent earning potential. This handy guide outlines everything international students need to know about studying nursing in Australia.
Despite ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, New Year’s Eve 2020 is set to be an amazing evening, full of excitement and hope for the year to come. Taking you on an international tour, this piece highlights some of the most fascinating New Year's Eve traditions from around the world.
Every year in Australia, the month of December tends to revolve around the Christmas season. However, if you don’t celebrate the holiday, you might be left wondering what you can do to entertain yourself when 25 December rolls around. Let’s take a look at which venues are open on Christmas Day in your city.
Now that it’s finally summertime, students might find themselves wondering how to enjoy their well-deserved time off. Whether you’re interested in exploring the region’s stunning natural landscapes, or you’d prefer to cool down with a refreshing beverage, this guide outlines the most memorable summertime activities in and around Canberra.
As an international student furthering your education in Australia, you will likely need to adjust to a grading system that differs significantly from the one you’re used to. If you're wondering how the Australian academic grading system works, look no further: this piece has the answers.
With educational institutions having to adapt to the new normal brought on by COVID-19, many have transitioned their students to online study, which can leave international students struggling to connect with their peers. This piece offers some techniques international students can use to overcome physical and social distancing, and ultimately stay connected.
Moving to, Studying, and Living in Adelaide: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re an international student in the preliminary stages of making your move to the vibrant city of Adelaide, there are many things to consider: which institution you’ll attend, how to find accommodation, and how you’ll get there amid the current COVID-19 interstate travel restrictions. This guide outlines everything you need to know about moving to Adelaide to ensure a smooth relocation.
How Will COVID-19 Impact the Aussie Hospitality Industry?
There’s no denying that hospitality is a fast-paced and ever-changing industry. However, none of these changes have been more sudden or drastic than those brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we prepare to re-enter pubs, restaurants, and cafes, a few questions remain: what will our outings look like? How have hospitality workers been faring amid the pandemic? Will there be jobs? This piece breaks down each of these questions to ensure a smooth re-integration into the hospitality world.
When it comes to postgraduate study, the world is your oyster. There are several study pathways available, including graduate certificates and diplomas, master’s programs, and doctoral degrees. But having so many options may leave you wondering: which one is right for me? This guide breaks down your options for postgraduate study in Australia and what each one offers, so you can feel confident that you’re choosing the pathway that best suits you and your goals.
Wondering how you can effectively use this downtime in COVID-19 quarantine to hone your professional skills? These two employability experts, Gerard Holland and Dominic Soh, offer their tips on how international students and young professionals can expand their professional portfolios and boost their employability even in the face of adverse circumstances.
Multifaceted, transformative, and ever exciting, the world of business offers a wealth of opportunity that transcends global borders. But what strategies can international students use to start their business careers on the right foot? With over 25 years of professional business experience, Ali Syed of Charles Sturt University offers his guidance.
The COVID-19 outbreak has created a uniquely challenging environment for millions of people worldwide and international students living in Australia are no exception. Despite the financial, emotional, and social hardships, many international students decided to stay in Australia rather than return to their home countries amid the crisis; this piece features interviews with three students who explain their decisions to do exactly that.
In the age of COVID-19, showing love from afar has never been so important. As a result, friends and family of international students have been exploring new ways to show how much they care, including sending gifts and care packages. It's therefore important to note which products can and cannot be legally shipped to Australia.
English is everywhere. It’s the official language of at least 59 countries and it’s the language of global business. With this in mind, it’s crucial that students and young people entering the workforce understand the importance of English language abilities and actively hone these skills. This piece provides insight into exactly which English language skills students should focus on.
Artificial intelligence, data management, robotics…the world of information technology is vast, diverse, and ever-changing, which is why many students choose to study in this field. With a background in information and communications technology, Dr. Jeffrey Gosper of Charles Sturt University offers his advice to students looking to kick start their IT careers.
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, businesses all over the world closed indefinitely, costing thousands of jobs and prompting economic uncertainty. This guide outlines options for international students and casual workers in Australia in the event of job loss. It also offers tips on where to look for alternative employment and how to proceed if they're symptomatic and physically unable to work.
Student life can be hectic. Fortunately, online shopping offers a hassle-free and convenient alternative that fits seamlessly into students’ busy schedules. Although online shopping lets you secure your purchase in just a few clicks, it can be difficult to know where to begin as an international student in Australia. This piece offers some tips on the best practices for online shopping in Australia.
An interview with Lena Michel, a visiting student researcher, and Professor Marie-Josée Vignola of the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. The pair share the details of their research on French Immersion programs in Canada and their involvement in various second language teaching associations.
Introducing the University of Ottawa Faculty of Education's newly renovated Resource Centre. The piece lists the centre's new features and includes a brief interview with its main supervisor, Martin Giguère.
10 Things I Wish I Had Known About uOttawa
In this piece, I list ten facts about the University of Ottawa that I wish I had known earlier in my student experience, with the aim of facilitating new students' acclimation to the campus and student lifestyle.
Know Your Rights with Legalswipe
It was a day like any other - until it wasn't. University of Ottawa alumnus Christien Levien shares the life-changing experience that prompted him to found Legalswipe, a smartphone app designed to educate users on their legal rights during interactions with police. In addition to discussing his motivation for creating the app, Levien outlines its functions and his aspirations for Legalswipe's future.
The Spivo Stick, One Year Out
The Spivo Stick, the first rotating selfie stick of its kind, was designed by two University of Ottawa mechanical engineering graduates, Marc Bjerring and Andre Bellerive. In this piece, Bjerring outlines the trials and tribulations they faced as young entrepreneurs, as well as the milestones they have reached one year after their initial launch.
Two Degrees for Program Pioneer
This piece highlights the achievements of Margaret Watson, the first University of Ottawa student to ever graduate from the joint Bachelor of Music/Honours Bachelor of Science program. Margaret shares a history of her interests in both fields as well as her advice to future scholars and her plans for the future.
Conflict Resolution
An interview with the 2015 recipient of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Thursica Kovinthan, who discusses the origins and developments of her postdoctoral research on gender equality in educational institutions in post-conflict nations, specifically Sri Lanka.
Scholars Helping Scholars
A brief article for the University of Ottawa's online news source La Gazette outlining the benefits of the Student Mentoring Program offered by the Faculty of Education. With the assistance of the student mentors, graduate students feel more comfortable and well-equipped for the often daunting scholarship application process.