Computer science opportunity leads Meg to Malaysia

After graduating high school and taking a gap year, Meg made the move from the Philippines to Australia to study a Bachelor of Computer Science at the University of Newcastle.

When looking for the perfect University to study abroad in, Meg was immediately drawn to the University of Newcastle - The affordable location compared to Melbourne and Sydney and the proximity to beautiful beaches were big factors for the move.  However, Meg says that the pathways provided by the university were what convinced her to enrol.

“What really sealed the deal for me was the University’s on-campus pathway college, the College of International Education."

The Degree Transfer program at the College of International Education has been designed with the intent to allow students to transition directly into their second year without needing additional testing, and it is a great tool for the University's International cohort, as it provides them with additional support and assistance when transitioning into life studying abroad.

At the end of her Degree Transfer program, Meg had also received an Academic Excellence Award, which she described as an amazing experience, that continued to push her drive and passion.

Alongside these benefits and rewarding experiences, Meg found that she was interested in and passionate about addressing and solving complex problems, especially within computers and technology, which ignited her passion for the University’s computer science degree even more.

She states, “I wanted to pursue a field that offers continuous growth and learning. This is particularly true for computer science, as technology is always evolving, and there’s always something new to explore and upskill in.”

Meg owes her academic success to her lecturer, Dr. Saiful Islam, and says that he is a main standout due to his caring nature for his students to revisit concepts when needed.

She states, “Having an excellent lecturer in a degree that has many theory-heavy courses has been one of the biggest highlights of my time at the University.”

Throughout her studies, Meg was also given the opportunity to embark on an academic study tour to Malaysia and intern with a host company in Kuala Lumpur.

“I had the opportunity to experience travelling to and working in an office environment, interact with colleagues, gain development experience, and receive feedback on my work – which all felt like a “preview” of the professional experiences that I’ll encounter after university, which was exciting,” she said.

“The cultural trips also allowed me to fully immerse myself in the Malaysian culture. I really enjoyed trying out new cuisines, learning a bit of Malay, and just overall engaging with the new and vibrant environment around me!”

Meg encourages other students to apply to similar opportunities as it allows for a different approach to coursework and theory in practical workplace settings and unique environments.

“It allows you to step out of your comfort zone and experience new cultures, and network with people beyond Australia,” she says.

Once Meg graduates, she desires to continue developing and refining her skills by pursuing a career in computer science, where she will focus on software development.

“I’m keen to work on innovative projects and build meaningful software solutions with the goal of creating a positive impact on people’s lives.”

Meg Gardiola

Throughout her studies, Meg was also given the opportunity to embark on an academic study tour to Malaysia and intern with a host company in Kuala Lumpur.

The cultural trips also allowed me to fully immerse myself in the Malaysian culture. I really enjoyed trying out new cuisines, learning a bit of Malay, and just overall engaging with the new and vibrant environment around me!