Coming from the Mekong Delta in the south of Vietnam, Quyen, a lecturer at Can Tho University travelled to Australia to pursue her dream of completing a PhD.

Impressed by the University of Newcastle’s world-leading Education program, she decided to pursue her PhD after being invited to be a participant in a research study at the University’s School of Education and was then successfully awarded a Vice-Chancellor’s HDR Training Scholarship. Her research is focussed on the development of future-focused skills in higher education with regard to outward mobility experiences. She is working with Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor John Fischetti as her primary supervisor.

A highlight of her study journey in Australia was the supportive staff and training workshops and seminars she was able to participate in. She also joined several student groups and societies She still found these groups very useful, informative and supportive though, and she gained new skills, tips to reduce stress and met many people from different walks of life.

Newcastle offered Quyen a range of interesting life experiences – she spent her free time volunteering at a local high school, helping old people with their gardening or exercising in one of Newcastle’s fabulous parks.

“Living in Newcastle is so great as the environment is clean and people are so friendly. Communicating with different people helped me to understand more about the culture and better integrate into the local community,” she said.

When asked if there was anything she would say to international students considering studying at the University of Newcastle, her advice is simple:

“Studying abroad not only promotes personal growth, professional development but also is the fastest way to develop life-saver skills for those who want to be members of a global inter-connected world.”

After graduating, Quyen plans to continue her academic career in higher education and would like to also try her hand in roles such as an independent researcher, a peer reviewer or a book author or editor.

She also wishes to be a visiting scholar for societies or universities in Southeast Asia, to share her real-life experiences and inspire young people to go out of their comfort zones to achieve their dreams – like she did.

Phuong Quyen Vo `

Phuong Quyen Vo

Coming from the Mekong Delta in the south of Vietnam, Quyen, a lecturer at Can Tho University travelled to Australia to pursue her dream of completing a PhD.

Studying abroad not only promotes personal growth, professional development but also is the fastest way to develop life-saver skills for those who want to be members of a global inter-connected world.