One of the great things about the Gold Coast is that you're never far off from the city and you're
never far off from nature. My name is Andy, and I grew up in the city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
And now I live, work and play here on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
One of my favourite places on the coast is Tallebudgera Creek,
it's a beautiful place. It's almost meditative in a way.
I'm able to take the paddle board or the kayak down and just have a day
full of activities and get away from the hustle and bustle of work in the city.
I currently work at a company called Dyna Pumps as a pump engineer.
A lot of the pumps that we size, they're used for oil and gas
industry, construction and mining. Definitely a sense of accomplishment. Being able to
work within my field and being able to work with people that are like minded to me.
I'm able to learn every day from them and develop myself to be a better person.
When I first moved from Malaysia, I was enrolled into Helensvale State High School
as an international student in 2012. There was a international room that we were able to go to at
any time of the day. Just to unwind or relax, and I remember stealing Tim Tams out of the fridge
all the time so that was good.
- So Leena, how's everything going with your studies?
Miss Gibson was our International Student Coordinator. She's always looking out for us,
always concerned about our wellbeing
and apart from that, she puts a lot of effort into
planning excursions for us to view the sights of Queensland. And they're all fond
memories that I look back on regularly. - The Gold Coast is such a wonderful place.
It is so diverse, multicultural, it's not just the experience of being at school and the education.
It's coming to a different culture and to immerse themselves into the Gold Coast way of life.
- I graduated Griffith University with a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering. Ever since I was young,
I've always had a curiosity with how things work. One of the good things about Griffith University
is the amount of facilities that students have access to. Looking back, I mean, I missed
availability of all these things that we were able to use, such as laser cutters, 3D printers,
C and C machines all readily available at our fingertips.
- Griffith Mechanical Engineering Degree is built on a very strong foundation of theory and practical
experience and innovation. - Is it a microchip?
- Yeah, microchip made by student. - Oh, it's made by a student. That's tiny.
- Griffith University Mechanical Engineering Degree is accredited by Engineers Australia,
which means that degree is recognized globally. - Definitely do feel a sense of pride coming from
where I come from and being able to graduate in a place like Griffith University. I think somewhere
along the way I sort of knew that Australia is a place that I want to be living in.
One of my most memorable experiences here was actually skydiving. It was 14,000 feet
out of the plane and I was able to take in the view of the entire coast. So that was a pretty
special experience. Got to go through a cloud, which is surprisingly not very fluffy.
Being able to meet so many different people from all around the world, as well
as I find the locals are probably the friendliest people you'd meet.
You know, that plays a pretty big part in why I love this place.