Live, learn and grow in Australia
A Canadian exchange student who studied at the University of Newcastle has taken out first prize in a video competition designed to showcase Australia to prospective international students.
'Study in Australia' grand prize winner Blaven Jaramillo from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, was a physical education student at Newcastle from February to July 2009.
The video contest, organised by Australian Education International North America (AEI NA) - the overseas arm of the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations - challenged students to think beyond the fun-loving Australian lifestyle and document their learning and personal growth during their stays in Australia.
Judges said Mr Jaramillo's video "hit the mark of live, learn and grow in Australia".
Mr Jaramillo won two roundtrip tickets to Australia and was awarded his prize by Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, at the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C.
Mr Jaramillo's video can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBYWYLvwMyw
Other prize-winning videos can be seen at: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/Help/NorthAmerica/VideoContestWinners.htm