Our scholarship winners share some of their thoughts about studying tourism and hospitality in Australia. If you would like to ask a question, please email us on info@the-ice.org.

What thoughts did you have about studying in Australia before you arrived here?

"Everything is in English - speaking, listening, thinking in any situation I have to speak English. That would be interesting as one day, I can speak really fluently and accurately."

"Facilities are modern and well-equipped. I would have the chance to learn more".

"I would have interesting classes or lectures with teachers. I wondered whether they are strict, mean, friendly or helpful to students".

"I must prepare myself a high personal discipline and independent behaviour to obtain good learning outcomes in an Australian Institution".

What attracted you to tourism or hospitality studies?

"I used to work for 10 months in a 5 star hotel environment - especially a newly opened hotel so everything was beautiful and I had a great impression and experiences in that hotel which led me to think further about my career path in hospitality".

"Australia has become a leading country in tourism in recent years with awards. For sure, the message behind has been indicated that education in the Hospitality industry is contributing to such achievements."

"I have always been a person who loves to entertain and be a host for friends and family and like to organize events of all kinds. Thus, the reason as to why I have chosen this course".

"I am very interested in hospitality and its international aspects. That's why I chose to study the Master of Business in Hospitality Management (VU) in Australia. I think there are a lot of opportunities to develop the hotel industry in India, and I would love to be involved in this when I get back to India".

What do you like about your study program?

"The (VU) program is very encouraging – full of knowledge (things to learn). The professors are all very nice, with great sense of humour and good at engaging students and gaining their involvement. I like the study environment. There is good vibe to Victoria University's city campus which is conveniently located, dead centre of the city".

"The difference in Australia is that you put your knowledge to the test by sharing and comparing ideas in different situations. As Australia is diversified, it provides students with a platform to interact with individuals from around the world and share their experiences with one another. It's by far the best education experience, and much better than those from previous institutions".

"The focus is more accentuated on practical projects, critical and analytical thinking, and creativity. Students are encouraged to work collaboratively on projects, thus making them prepared to meet the challenges of the real world. This system of education is student centred, where students are allowed a sense of ownership with their assignments, compared to the traditional lecture method and note-taking, which makes learning boring, if it takes place everyday".

"It's a very big college (NSI) with a warm feel to it and slightly tropical gardens outside. I haven't seen any colleges that have a bar, restaurant, Coffee Academy and function rooms before. They even have the Blaxland Hotel here. Also the teachers are very nice and make the course exciting in the way they teach the more practical aspects, like how to make customers feel good."

"The learning resources are industry-oriented and give me confidence for when I go out into the industry. For example, when learning about restaurant service, you are prepared to be a 5 star waiter in 4-5 star hotel or fine dinning restaurant, not in motel or 2 star restaurant".

"I think changed mind, exchanged thinking is very important. If we exchange our ideas we have two different things. So it will be a lot of things we can do".

What is it like to be awarded a scholarship from THE-ICE?

"Fantastic! The scholarship not only gave me the chance to study in a country I like and helped me financially to participate in such a high quality education system, but it also motivated me to develop a career path in the hospitality industry".

"I was very lucky to have been chosen as a scholarship recipient for Victoria University as this is one of the finest universities in Melbourne. It has a wide selection of courses and their facilities range from academic to sport to health".

"I didn't have a new start from outside of our country so the opportunity lets me look outside and know what else what other people think. What good university in Australia think, their staff, their researcher, their organisation, what they have done for tourism. We are like a bridge, a window to let other people know about Australian thinking, and we can reach them, let other people come".

"Australia is a multicultural destination, so studying in Australia encourages cross-cultural communication, which is very important in tourism because people want to experience different things, so cross cultural communication is good for tourism students to study and feel. It's a good destination".

Read about our Scholar's stories:

Deon Brown, India, Master of Business – Hotel Management, Victoria University
Wang Jie, China, Masters by Research, University of Canberra
Khang Le Huynh, Diploma in Hospitality Management, Northern Sydney Institute
Esthel Inasse, Diploma in Tourism, North Sydney Institute of TAFE (NSI).
Qaio En,Bachelor of Business, in Tourism Management at Griffith University

Read about current scholarships, closing on February 29, 2008