Kim An Huynh (Kiman)

HCM University of Technology, Vietnam
Exchange to Griffith University, Australia

I was lucky. One day I read on the information board of my home university about the exchange programme to Australia and it is like a dream that I am now in the Gold Coast – the most famous tourist place in Queensland and also Australia.

It’s been 2 months since I first arrived. I was so upset and troubled because the place was not like I expected. I thought it would be a big city, crowded with people and a busy life, but the place I live is Parkwood – where it is quite peaceful and almost all the stores close at night, Australians seemed to be in their houses early… but then I began to change my mind.

As a civil engineering student, one of the first things I admired was the very carefully planned roads and bridges. I saw beautiful bridges everywhere, especially cables-stayed bridges. The transportation system and the attitude of people to traffic caused no trouble when I was on the street. I share a room with a Chinese family, they are quite noisy but in general, it has made my time here livelier.

I was quick to make new friends at Griffith University. There are friends from many countries all over the world, from throughout Europe to other countries in South East Asia and Africa. They are all friendly and nice and they sometimes invite me to a party, or to have a drink or dance together. Studying in Australia is the one of the best chances in my life. Maybe it’s your life if you are studying or preparing to study and live with all the best conditions such as libraries, internet, with lectures and some guest lecturers from companies who wish to give you details about projects.

The environment in Parkwood is pure and wealthy for people, with plants and trees. You can drive 10 minutes away to enjoy good sightseeing at the beach at Surfers Paradise, play beach ball, climb the hill in Burleigh Heads, take pictures, go for a sunset walk … so wonderful and you’ll never be bored. There is a variety of food in Queensland, from almost all around the world. I can easily find Vietnamese “Pho”, Chinese “Duck”, Indian spicy dishes… Asian restaurants are everywhere and some of my Australian friends love it too. I have gained weight faster than I’ve ever expected when living in a different country with different tastes.

I usually go to play soccer on the weekend with some Vietnamese, French, Iranian, Thai and Korean friends… and we also participate in an indoor soccer league at Griffith University. Football (NRL and AFL) is the most popular sport in Australia, I had no idea about this until I traveled here. I’ve watched it many times on the TV and have begun to love it, my heart beats with every move of the players in the field, it is awesome.

When celebrating my birthday at Burleigh Heads beach, we had a small BBQ party – this is a traditional way of making food for Aussies. Our School of Engineering sometimes invites students for a free BBQ or free soft drinks, it was so nice and I appreciated it. If you want to travel to Queensland, I advise you to go to the Gold Coast, “from Surfer – to Paradise”, there are many things for you to see and enjoy… and if possible, just take a train to Brisbane city to ride along the river on a City Cat (a type of boat) or take part in some events which are held almost every month, you’ll see fantastic fireworks and outside markets to buy some cultural Aussie gifts for your family or relatives.

My next destination is Sydney, I will be there in July. It is a really big and busy city that I have dreamt about a lot. I will have more stories to tell my friends and I will never forget the time I was here.

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