Studying in Australia
Mariola Alberto walks us through her experience at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.
Justicia Shipena
Artistic Mariola Alberto is currently pursuing a diploma in creative industries at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. According to her, she chose this path to allow her to acclimatise to the Australian way of life before pursuing her next qualification.
Alberto will be starting a bachelor’s degree in architecture in July.
A career in this field has been her dream since the age of 16.
“I have always felt drawn to architecture. This programme seemed like it would get me where I wanted to go.”
Alberto said the biggest challenges she faced were picking which university to attend and dealing with long application and acceptance processes.
She urges her peers who want to study abroad to apply for a visa as early as possible as this process may also come with challenges.
“I intended to start in July 2019, but my visa process took longer than estimated and I missed mid-year entry, so I differed to October 2019,” she said.
A requirement for all the universities she applied was an English as a foreign language (TOEFL) or a standardised international English (IELTS) test. Alberto said that she had no issues with her IELTS.
“I booked, wrote and got a good mark. I would advise that if you are interested in writing either of them, make sure you book ASAP!”
Something she loves, she said, is that her university is a completely different environment from what she’s used to. She added that the lecturers and tutors are nice and helpful, and the university is modern and innovative.
What surprised her about Brisbane was how kind and inviting the people are.
Alberto said that she loves what she does and there’s nothing she would do different, and urges her peers to pursue what makes them happy and what they’re passionate about.
“University is honestly a great time. Studying something that makes you unhappy can take away from that great time.”
She added that her peers should always keep an open mind and heart, especially when going abroad.
Alberto plans to do her masters and, after that, she “can’t wait to see what the world has in store” for her.
According to her, Brisbane is an amazing city with loads of history and culture.
“There’s always something happening, whether it’s live performances almost anywhere to the really incredible art exhibits that take place through the year.
“I joined a music club here at the university and it is honestly my favourite place to be on a Friday evening, just making music with friends,” she said.
Alberto’s advice to her peers is that it is easy to get swayed by everything happening around you, so don’t forget the reason you’re studying abroad. “Stay focused and positive,” she said.
Did you know?
In 1988, the Queensland University of Technology Act was passed, which granted university status to the Queensland Institute of Technology.
Facts about Alberto
· She’s outgoing.
· Optimistic and creative.
· Always looking for new friends and an adventure.
Artistic Mariola Alberto is currently pursuing a diploma in creative industries at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. According to her, she chose this path to allow her to acclimatise to the Australian way of life before pursuing her next qualification.
Alberto will be starting a bachelor’s degree in architecture in July.
A career in this field has been her dream since the age of 16.
“I have always felt drawn to architecture. This programme seemed like it would get me where I wanted to go.”
Alberto said the biggest challenges she faced were picking which university to attend and dealing with long application and acceptance processes.
She urges her peers who want to study abroad to apply for a visa as early as possible as this process may also come with challenges.
“I intended to start in July 2019, but my visa process took longer than estimated and I missed mid-year entry, so I differed to October 2019,” she said.
A requirement for all the universities she applied was an English as a foreign language (TOEFL) or a standardised international English (IELTS) test. Alberto said that she had no issues with her IELTS.
“I booked, wrote and got a good mark. I would advise that if you are interested in writing either of them, make sure you book ASAP!”
Something she loves, she said, is that her university is a completely different environment from what she’s used to. She added that the lecturers and tutors are nice and helpful, and the university is modern and innovative.
What surprised her about Brisbane was how kind and inviting the people are.
Alberto said that she loves what she does and there’s nothing she would do different, and urges her peers to pursue what makes them happy and what they’re passionate about.
“University is honestly a great time. Studying something that makes you unhappy can take away from that great time.”
She added that her peers should always keep an open mind and heart, especially when going abroad.
Alberto plans to do her masters and, after that, she “can’t wait to see what the world has in store” for her.
According to her, Brisbane is an amazing city with loads of history and culture.
“There’s always something happening, whether it’s live performances almost anywhere to the really incredible art exhibits that take place through the year.
“I joined a music club here at the university and it is honestly my favourite place to be on a Friday evening, just making music with friends,” she said.
Alberto’s advice to her peers is that it is easy to get swayed by everything happening around you, so don’t forget the reason you’re studying abroad. “Stay focused and positive,” she said.
Did you know?
In 1988, the Queensland University of Technology Act was passed, which granted university status to the Queensland Institute of Technology.
Facts about Alberto
· She’s outgoing.
· Optimistic and creative.
· Always looking for new friends and an adventure.
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