3Rd Issue Layout

02 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

CONTENTS

WELCOME

05 MICHAEL WATSON – SURINAME | FELLOWSHIP

05 TRICIA LOVELL – ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA | FELLOWSHIP 07 CHRISTINE BAILEY – JAMAICA | INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANT IN GRADUATE TRAINING (IPGT) 07 DR JAVIER ZUNIGA – BELIZE 08 ROHIT PANDY – BELIZE

09 DIAN VASQUEZ – BELIZE 09 EDDY LEBELON | HAITIAN ALUMNI FEATURED IN AUSTRALIAN PLUS MAGAZINE

10 GUY-ROBERT LAHENS – HAITI 11 JEAN GARINCHA DORCE – HAITI 11 VANESSA ST VAL – HAITI 13 RIPHARD SERENT – HAITI 14 DADRIA SMITH – JAMAICA 14 MOY-ANN SIMPSON – JAMAICA 15 KIMBERLYN CAMPBELL – JAMAICA 15 RANDELL BAILEY – JAMAICA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 03

So please send us your stories about your studies and life in Australia and how your Australian experience has helped you in your professional life back in e Caribbean. We want As the new Australian High to celebrate your achievements wi e rest of Commissioner, I am delighted e world! to bring you the third edition We are also pleased to see so many of our of the Australia-Caribbean Alumni linking up on LinkedIn. Your professional Alumni Newsletter. Australia-Caribbean LinkedIn group is growing in membership and ere has been some The Caribbean has been my passion for almost stimulating discussion on topics of interest in e forty years now and it’s great to be back in e Caribbean. region aer so long. I hope to meet as many of We hope is is a useful avenue for you to share you as I can during e next few years as I travel your knowledge, experience and oughts in a around e Caribbean. setting where e future leaders of tomorrow Over half a million international students from can collaborate and inspire one ano er. nearly two hundred countries studied in Finally, e Australian High Commission stands Australia in 2015 but you are all very special to ready to support and streng en our us – you are pa ﬁnders from e Caribbean to Australia-Caribbean connections and hopes at high quality Australian teaching, learning and wi your support e bond of friendship will research. grow as more alumni return from eir Australian We want to tell e stories of as many of you as experience. we can – whe er it is rough is Newsletter or rough our ocial FaceBook page, Australia in e Caribbean, to remain in contact wi you JOHN PILBEAM High Commissioner and to help you to stay in touch wi each Australian High Commission o er. Port of Spain FELLOWSHIPS

University of Sydney where I pursued a Masters in International Public Heal . To make a difference While practicing medicine I came to for my community and realize at ere was much more to human heal an simply healing and my country I decided INTERESTED IN STUDYING caring for e sick. My personal to sacrifice a year away experience in witnessing a young child IN AUSTRALIA? die in my care, a mo er weeping due from my family and to e passing of her newborn, e friends after being diabetic and hypertensive patient wi HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO FIND OUT MORE. a sequelae aer suﬀering from a heart granted an Australia www.studyinaustralia.gov.au attack or a stroke, and grieving families Awards Scholarship. due to e loss of a loved one, all www.education.gov.au made me empa etic but yet annoyed My experience while studying in given at most of ese dea s and Australia was ano er of life’s www.internationalstudent.com/study_australia My name is Javier Zuniga and I am diseases could have been easily challenges at provided me wi e www.border.gov.au from Belize. I am a medical doctor by prevented. tools to make a diﬀerence in people’s profession and an alumnus of e lives. The knowledge I have gained

IN THE WORLD

Australia. We visited Cairns, Brisbane, planning for sports and identifying and e Gold Coast, Newcastle, Canberra evaluating sport events for economic and Sydney. grow , we were fortunate to attend an Under 18 Rugby Finals, go to a In Newcastle we attended e Hunter Night Zoo, see e Mareebo Rodeo in Festival of Sport, a Titans vs Knights action and visit e Great Barrier Reef. rugby league match and attended a session at e Hunter Academy On e world famous Gold Coast we among o er ings. learnt about preparing a letes for international competition, completed In Canberra, apart from functions wi individual training sessions wi Sandy MICHAEL WATSON SURINAME ocials of e Australian government and Chris and en took some down Caribbean Sports Leaders Fellowship we were given a winery tour and a time to visit e local Sea World. 2013 tour of e Australian Institute of Sport. Our tour leads also organised a meet We also had e pleasure to interact up wi Commonweal Games In 2013 I visited Australia as part of a wi en Senator Kate Lundy (Federal organisers and we had a very two mon Caribbean Sports Leaders Minister for Sport) and Andrew Barr engaging session wi em. Fellowship, along wi several o er ( en State Minister for Sport), and participants from around e world. engage in sessions at e I really enjoyed my time in Australia University of Canberra. and am looking forward to visiting Our tour leaders, Sandy Daley, again soon. Chris Nunn and Vicki Nunn were very Cairns was an interesting experience helpful roughout our time in as well. Aer full sessions on strategic

Research and Security (ANCORS) in educational and eye-opening. I am Wollongong University and was truly grateful for being afforded such specifically tailored to e needs of an amazing opportunity. Caribbean based fellows. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience The course Director, Professor Alistair not only from e point of view of McIigorm was welcoming and learning but also because of e accommodating; all of e professors opportunity to experience e beauty were extremely knowledgeable and and culture of New Sou Wales. eager to impart eir knowledge to e It was a true honour to be lectured on fellows and; e support staff at University of Sydney where I pursued TRICIA LOVELL To make a difference ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA matters of fisheries governance by ANCORS was a delight. Wollongong a Masters in International Public Heal . Fisheries Law and Management some of e leading experts in is was e perfect backdrop to learn While practicing medicine I came to for my community and Training Workshop field. about matters of fisheries and ocean realize at ere was much more to University of Wollongong | 2014 governance. This coastal town is human heal an simply healing and my country I decided The organisers of e course ensured tranquil and inviting wi beautiful caring for e sick. My personal to sacrifice a year away My name is Tricia Lovell and I am a ere was a good balance of classroom vistas of e Pacific Ocean. I enjoyed experience in witnessing a young child Senior Fisheries Ocer in Antigua and lectures, field trips, interactive group walking along e coast to take in die in my care, a mo er weeping due from my family and Barbuda. In 2014 I was afforded e sessions and opportunities for views of e ligh ouse and scores of to e passing of her newborn, e friends after being opportunity of travelling to Wollongong peer-to-peer learning. I particularly recreational fishers casting eir lines diabetic and hypertensive patient wi Australia (New Sou Wales) to attend enjoyed our visits to e Sydney Fish out to sea. This was an unforgettable a sequelae aer suffering from a heart granted an Australia e second Fisheries Law and Market and Canberra. Seeing e experience for me and will remain wi attack or a stroke, and grieving families Awards Scholarship. Management Training Workshop for Sydney Opera House up close was e me always. Thank you to e due to e loss of a loved one, all Member Countries of e Caribbean fulfilment of a dream. Walking e government of Australia, AusAid and made me empa etic but yet annoyed My experience while studying in Resource Fisheries Mechanism halls of e Australian Parliament was of course to e staff, professors and given at most of ese dea s and Australia was ano er of life’s My name is Javier Zuniga and I am (CRFM). This one mon , intensive awe-inspiring. Visits to New Sou everyone we met at Wollongong diseases could have been easily challenges at provided me wi e from Belize. I am a medical doctor by training course was based at e Wales Protected Areas and e Coast University who made is experience prevented. tools to make a difference in people’s profession and an alumnus of e Australian National Centre for Ocean Guard Command Centre were one of e most memorable for me. lives. The knowledge I have gained

University of Sydney where I pursued a Masters in International Public Heal . To make a difference Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships are internationally While practicing medicine I came to for my community and competitive, merit-based scholarships funded by e realize at ere was much more to human heal an simply healing and my country I decided Australian Government at support citizens around e world caring for e sick. My personal to sacrifice a year away to undertake study, research and professional development in experience in witnessing a young child from my family and Australia and for Australians to do e same overseas. die in my care, a mo er weeping due to e passing of her newborn, e friends after being diabetic and hypertensive patient wi granted an Australia a sequelae aer suﬀering from a heart APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2017 ROUND ARE NOW OPEN AND CLOSE ON attack or a stroke, and grieving families 30 JUNE 2016, 11:59PM AUSTRALIAN EASTERN STANDARD TIME. VISIT Awards Scholarship. due to e loss of a loved one, all https://internationaleducation.gov.au/Endeavour%20program/S made me empa etic but yet annoyed My experience while studying in given at most of ese dea s and Australia was ano er of life’s cholarships-and-Fellowships/Pages/default.aspx My name is Javier Zuniga and I am diseases could have been easily challenges at provided me wi e from Belize. I am a medical doctor by to learn how you can apply. prevented. tools to make a diﬀerence in people’s profession and an alumnus of e lives. The knowledge I have gained

IN THE WORLD

H.E. Ross Tysoe AO in Kingston, and to spark professional relationships Jamaica. This was a very significant wi my Australian counterparts and first step towards embarking on is e diverse group of international journey, especially as e High participants. These international Commissioner is resident in Trinidad participants represent countries in and Tobago. H.E Tysoe shared wi Africa, Asia, Latin America and e me valuable information which Pacific. continues to enhance my experience in his home, Australia. To date, my time in Australia has been no ing short of magnificent. Already, I Joining Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign have had a range of experiences, from CHRISTINE BAILEY JAMAICA Affairs and Foreign Trade in 2012 has an ocial welcome from an International Participant been one of my greatest career Ngunnawal Elder, to dynamic debates in Graduate Training (IPGT) achievements. The exposure at I wi Australian graduates and Multiple Institutions | 2015 have been afforded in my ree years international participants on at e Ministry continues to contemporary issues in international For over forty years, complement my participation in e relations and international law, to Graduate Training Programme on embracing e inimitable flora and Jamaica and Australia Diplomacy. This programme is a fauna. have shared strong two-mon block of intense training hosted by e Australian Department I am also sincerely grateful to e bonds of friendship. of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Australian Department of Foreign Canberra, Australia. It aims at honing Affairs and Trade for eir exceptional Despite e geographical distance, we professional skills, and enhances e execution of is programme. have many ings in common academic proficiency necessary for including our effervescent culture, love streng ening careers in is field. As I approach my final weeks in for sports and e warm of our Australia, I am eager to learn more people. Undoubtedly, is training will serve about e intricacies of international me well in e advancement of my diplomacy as well as e styles of My journey to Australia began long career as a Foreign Service ocer. Australian business and culture. At e before I arrived in its capital, Canberra, Fur ermore, as e only participant same time, I continue to share e on 3rd August 2015. I had e from e Caribbean Community best elements of Jamaica and e pleasure to meet e High (CARICOM), I am given e Caribbean and our perspectives wi Commissioner of Australia to Jamaica, opportunity to represent not only everyone I meet. Jamaica but our CARICOM neighbours

University of Sydney where I pursued a Masters in International Public Heal . To make a difference While practicing medicine I came to for my community and realize at ere was much more to human heal an simply healing and my country I decided caring for e sick. My personal to sacrifice a year away experience in witnessing a young child die in my care, a mo er weeping due from my family and to e passing of her newborn, e friends after being diabetic and hypertensive patient wi DR JAVIER ZUNIGA a sequelae aer suﬀering from a heart granted an Australia BELIZE attack or a stroke, and grieving families Master of International Public Heal Awards Scholarship. University of Sydney | 2013 due to e loss of a loved one, all made me empa etic but yet annoyed My experience while studying in given at most of ese dea s and Australia was ano er of life’s My name is Javier Zuniga and I am diseases could have been easily challenges at provided me wi e from Belize. I am a medical doctor by prevented. tools to make a diﬀerence in people’s profession and an alumnus of e lives. The knowledge I have gained

while studying International Public is equal, accessible and affordable to sharing of information and knowledge, Heal has prepared me to streng en all. and e establishment of lifelong primary heal care in Belize and friendships. accept as true e old proverb at My experience as a recipient of e ‘prevention is better an cure’. I am Leadership Award and as a scholar in I ank e Australian Government, e now e Primary Heal Care International Public Heal has allowed Australia High Commission in Trinidad Coordinator and Heal Manager for me to network wi people from and Tobago, and e people of Belize’s largest heal region. My goal around e world. Sharing Australia for e opportunity ey gave is to better e lives of all Belizeans experiences from our countries has me to make a difference in e lives of wi out prejudice to race, sex or age given us an insight on best practices all Belizeans. and to impart quality heal care at but more importantly e continuous University of Sydney where I pursued a Masters in International Public Heal . To make a difference While practicing medicine I came to for my community and realize at ere was much more to human heal an simply healing and my country I decided caring for e sick. My personal to sacrifice a year away experience in witnessing a young child die in my care, a mo er weeping due from my family and to e passing of her newborn, e friends after being diabetic and hypertensive patient wi a sequelae aer suffering from a heart granted an Australia attack or a stroke, and grieving families Awards Scholarship. due to e loss of a loved one, all made me empa etic but yet annoyed My experience while studying in given at most of ese dea s and Australia was ano er of life’s My name is Javier Zuniga and I am diseases could have been easily challenges at provided me wi e from Belize. I am a medical doctor by prevented. tools to make a difference in people’s profession and an alumnus of e lives. The knowledge I have gained

08 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

My area of study was Architecture. make lifelong friends and network wi During my time in Australia I gained a people from all over e world, deeper understanding of e built including practitioners and experts in environment, its challenges in bo e field and practice related to my developed and developing countries, area of study. My course was filled e importance of planning in all wi fun, intrigue, and new ways of aspects from poverty alleviation to e inking and looking at e world, hard development of life in a city and e work and surely many challenges but effect architecture has on e attitudes e resources made available to me and pride of e people in each and e use of em, made em feel ROHIT PANDY BELIZE context. like small bumps in e road where Master of Architecture once I saw mountains. University of Canberra | 2014 Canberra is known as e bush capital, but being from a tropical country - While in Australia I got a chance to I was made aware of e opportunity where e vegetation is very dense, travel to Broulee, Alice Springs, to study in Australia rough e is ‘bush’ looks like manicured lawns!! Warakuna, Angus Downs, Kings Creek, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize. Studying at e University of Canberra Batemans Bay, New Castle, The ought of going to Australia was was quite an experience! From e Wollongong, Sydney and Kings distant and could only be imagined very first day we were greeted wi Canyon to name a few. All of ese rough e window of e television at sense of e wild in e form of places have etched emselves in my in our living room. I had never wild kangaroos some of which were heart and on my personality. I will imagined studying let alone living in quite huge. Australia was filled wi always treasure my ree years spent Australia. And I wasn’t totally confident many firsts for me such as, living in in Australia and getting to know e I would be selected. So imagine my shared accommodations, being an place, e people and myself a little big surprise when I was named as one ambassador to my country (I was one better. The qualifications gained were of e scholarship recipients! You must of, if not e first, Belizeans to study at magnified by e lifelong lessons never underestimate yourself! e University of Canberra) among learned, kindness I received and e o er ings. I was able to meet and kinship shared. I am very grateful for e opportunity I was given.

IN THE WORLD University of Sydney where I pursued a Masters in International Public Heal . To make a difference While practicing medicine I came to for my community and realize at ere was much more to human heal an simply healing and my country I decided caring for e sick. My personal to sacrifice a year away experience in witnessing a young child die in my care, a mo er weeping due from my family and to e passing of her newborn, e friends after being diabetic and hypertensive patient wi a sequelae aer suﬀering from a heart granted an Australia attack or a stroke, and grieving families Awards Scholarship. due to e loss of a loved one, all made me empa etic but yet annoyed My experience while studying in given at most of ese dea s and Australia was ano er of life’s My name is Javier Zuniga and I am diseases could have been easily challenges at provided me wi e from Belize. I am a medical doctor by prevented. tools to make a diﬀerence in people’s profession and an alumnus of e lives. The knowledge I have gained

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 09

while studying International Public is equal, accessible and affordable to sharing of information and knowledge, was lucky to meet some generous Heal has prepared me to streng en all. and e establishment of lifelong fans who were happy to share primary heal care in Belize and friendships. eir love of e game. accept as true e old proverb at My experience as a recipient of e ‘prevention is better an cure’. I am Leadership Award and as a scholar in I ank e Australian Government, e "I enjoyed a football match between now e Primary Heal Care International Public Heal has allowed Australia High Commission in Trinidad e Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Coordinator and Heal Manager for me to network wi people from and Tobago, and e people of Titans," Eddy says. "I met two very Belize’s largest heal region. My goal around e world. Sharing Australia for e opportunity ey gave en usiastic young Broncos fans. They is to better e lives of all Belizeans experiences from our countries has me to make a difference in e lives of were teaching me e rules. I felt very wi out prejudice to race, sex or age given us an insight on best practices all Belizeans. welcome in is country!" and to impart quality heal care at but more importantly e continuous DIAN VASQUEZ EDDY LEBELON BELIZE HAITI In May 2014 Eddy visited Stradbroke Master of Science in Resource Master of Development Economics (Advanced) and Environmental Management University of Queensland | 2014 Island, e world's second-largest sand & Master of Science in Diplomatic Studies island, located off e coast of The Australian National University | 2015 Featured in Australian Plus magazine Brisbane.

Being granted an Australia Award has From surfing to lawn bowls to - He took surfing lessons wi a definitely been one of e most academic inspiration, Haitian group of friends and quickly felt at rewarding experiences of my life! More international student Eddy Lebelon home – so at home he was soon so, studying at e Australian National took every opportunity to make e referring to e island as 'Straddie', University (ANU) has provided me most of life in Australia. just like e locals. wi quality education and higher “I always wanted to study in an learning. I got e opportunity to English speaking country,” Eddy says. "Well, surfing is fun," he says. network wi bright minds from across "Especially when you have big waves e globe, and worked closely wi like e ones on Straddie." renowned professors and experts in “Australia was always e field of environmental policy, "As I am from a sunny island myself, it research, and diplomacy. on the top of my list, just felt like home." because I read that This has definitely been an enriching - Ano er highlight of his visit to experience equipping me wi e Australia has some of Stradbroke Island was an attempt right tools, attitude and skills set to the most liveable cities at lawn bowls – a game at make a difference globally and help involves rolling weighted balls solve problems. in the world.” along an outdoor grass pitch.

When Eddy arrived in Brisbane to "One has to be barefoot to get on e Overall, studying in study for his Master’s in lawn and very sharp to win e game," Developmental Economics at e Eddy says. "Lawn bowling is fun and Australia has been University of Queensland he had high relaxing!" life-changing! hopes for his new life in Australia. “I expected Australia to be exotic, - Sandboarding was ano er ﬁrst for The ANU has properly extremely beautiful and well organised Eddy and some of his friends. trained me to be a – and I was not disappointed,” he Sandboarding is similar to says. snowboarding, but you ride e steward of the world board along sand dunes instead of Eddy says he was impressed by e snow. and laid the foundation kindness of e people he met in for the rest of my Brisbane, and by e variety of It has a reputation for being very career. activities on oﬀer. dicult, but Eddy gave it his best shot.

For such an outcome I am truly Here's some of his favourite Australian "It was an awesome experience!" he grateful. moments: says. "I ink I got back e level of happiness I had when I was a small - Eddy was excited to attend his first kid. Sandboarding is so fun. It's a must rugby league match, and al ough do in Australia." he didn't know what to expect he University of Sydney where I pursued a Masters in International Public Heal . To make a difference While practicing medicine I came to for my community and realize at ere was much more to human heal an simply healing and my country I decided caring for e sick. My personal to sacrifice a year away experience in witnessing a young child die in my care, a mo er weeping due from my family and to e passing of her newborn, e friends after being diabetic and hypertensive patient wi a sequelae aer suffering from a heart granted an Australia attack or a stroke, and grieving families Awards Scholarship. due to e loss of a loved one, all made me empa etic but yet annoyed My experience while studying in given at most of ese dea s and Australia was ano er of life’s My name is Javier Zuniga and I am diseases could have been easily challenges at provided me wi e from Belize. I am a medical doctor by prevented. tools to make a difference in people’s profession and an alumnus of e lives. The knowledge I have gained

10 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

while studying International Public is equal, accessible and affordable to sharing of information and knowledge, - Eddy also toured e Queensland definitely equip me wi e necessary Heal has prepared me to streng en all. and e establishment of lifelong Centre for Advanced Technologies tools to be a better qualified public primary heal care in Belize and friendships. (QCAT) research facility wi a heal strategist in Haiti. Also, e accept as true e old proverb at My experience as a recipient of e group of fellow international socio-cultural, educational and ‘prevention is better an cure’. I am Leadership Award and as a scholar in I ank e Australian Government, e students. professional exchanges at I’ve now e Primary Heal Care International Public Heal has allowed Australia High Commission in Trinidad experienced will be decisive for my Coordinator and Heal Manager for me to network wi people from and Tobago, and e people of "We were presented wi e latest aspirations of public heal in my Belize’s largest heal region. My goal around e world. Sharing Australia for e opportunity ey gave technology at is used in mining in country. is to better e lives of all Belizeans experiences from our countries has me to make a difference in e lives of Australia, from drones, to nuclear wi out prejudice to race, sex or age given us an insight on best practices all Belizeans. facilities to 3D visualisation of mining Throughout my time in Australia I have and to impart quality heal care at but more importantly e continuous sites being explored," he says. GUY-ROBERT LAHENS also had e opportunity to make "I learned a lot in e process and is HAITI some incredible friendships wi bo Master of Public Heal visit made me understand how The University of Melbourne | 2015 locals and o er visiting foreigners technologically advanced e mining which I hope to maintain when I industry is in Australia. return home to Haiti. For two and a half years, I had e "People here always try to find more great opportunity to live and study in ecient ways to carry out eir task Australia. Being offered an Australia Overall, studying even when ey are already doing it in Awards Scholarship has certainly been a very ecient way," he says. one of e most enriching experiences ‘Down Under’ has "I felt inspired!" of my life! bought something

- But for all e social activities, My academic journey at The unique to my life! succeeding in his studies has been University of Melbourne has been an An experience that I important for Eddy too. excellent one. The highest quality of education was received and is will will never forget… “Coping wi e pace of lectures, reading and assignments was quite challenging at e beginning of my studies, but I felt in control aer e ﬁrst semester,” he says.

“My aim is to set up an export business in my home country Haiti,” he says. “I would like to work for e UN as well. My goal is to bring a better standard of living to my people.”

"Australia is a great place to study," Eddy says. And he oﬀers some advice to young people considering studying in Australia.

"Use e help of student services to ﬁnd out about cheap accommodation. Buy a bike and make sure at, apart from study or work, you take part in social activities like swimming or basketball or soccer. "Your experience in Australia will be one of the most memorable in your life."

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 11

while studying International Public is equal, accessible and affordable to sharing of information and knowledge, Having completed his Master’s in July of e project, as he builds Heal has prepared me to streng en all. and e establishment of lifelong 2014, he feels at is degree relationships between e project, local primary heal care in Belize and friendships. provides him wi more insights and associations and au ority. Jean is also accept as true e old proverb at My experience as a recipient of e better skills in project management working on building a ‘prevention is better an cure’. I am Leadership Award and as a scholar in I ank e Australian Government, e and leadership. Just one mon aer primary/secondary school in e now e Primary Heal Care International Public Heal has allowed Australia High Commission in Trinidad his return to Haiti, he was able to community of Grand Vincent. Coordinator and Heal Manager for me to network wi people from and Tobago, and e people of secure e job wi EXECO SA, an Belize’s largest heal region. My goal around e world. Sharing Australia for e opportunity ey gave engineering firm, as e Chief of eir “I have some personal initiatives too, is to better e lives of all Belizeans experiences from our countries has me to make a difference in e lives of Water Department. some ongoing and o ers for e short wi out prejudice to race, sex or age given us an insight on best practices all Belizeans. term future. I am currently a presenter and to impart quality heal care at but more importantly e continuous JEAN GARINCHA DORCE HAITI “I will lead e company to conduct of e Radio RFM (104.9) “The future Master of Integrated Water Management studies and implement projects in e of Haitian Agriculture”. University of Queensland | 2014 water sector. We are getting ready to bid for ree water supply projects from Jean has many ideas and among e government. I am looking forward future activities are: a campaign for Prior to pursuing a Master’s Degree in for EXECO SA being offered a contract waste management at household Integrated Water Management at e to design a water project, it is en I level and in public spaces. “This is University of Queensland, Brisbane, will fully start to implement all e skills when I may measure my impact in Jean completed a Bachelor’s Degree I learnt in my study in Australia”. changing e attitude and livelihood of in Agronomy Engineering at e Haitians as well as e heal of our Universidad ISA, in Santiago de los Some of his current projects involve environment. Now even ough I am Caballeros, Dominican Republic. managing a construction project for a contributing in improving livelihoods Thereaer, he worked for four years in food storage facility for a Petro Caribe and protecting e environment, I am Hato Mayor at BHS, one of e biggest funded food security project of e only implementing e outcomes of commercial citrus farms in e Haitian government. Here, he is also in projects previously designed by o er Dominican Republic. charge of e Public Relations portfolio firms.”

embrace a foreign culture, but also Back home I continued as an because it represented a great Ambassador. I organised events for opportunity to have a new and expats and business people living and rewarding experience. working in Haiti. Doing is has interestingly enough, led me to my My studies at Gri University have current job as Protocol ocer in e shaped my future. I adopted e United Nations. Gri ’s motto “Learn more and do more”. It represents a part of e Thanks to my Australian experience, I Australian experience at I will always was able to visit and fall in love wi VANESSA ST VAL keep wi me, because it helped me Asia. This was e best adventure HAITI become passionate and have an ever, and wi out e Australian Master of International Relations appetite for continuous learning and scholarship I would always probably Gri University | 2014 improvement. I’ve met e best only ever have seen Asia on television teachers in e world at Gri or rough a guide book. My Australian journey was an University. No ing else will ever extraordinary window into e compare to my study experience in Being a goal oriented person, I feel realisation of my dream. Having an Australia. blessed to have been e recipient of administrative background, I had a is outstanding Scholarship. I will desire to change ﬁelds and have a Australia’s social scene was amazing, always be grateful to e Australian career in international relations. Though and toge er wi my sparking Government for giving me is is was a dream, I always believed personality Australia represented e opportunity. My possibilities are at one day it would come true. ultimate experience. While in Australia unlimited now! Not only can I have a I developed some intercultural, event career in international relations, I can When I heard about e Australian management and networking skills work in international development, aid Scholarship program, I jumped on is at led me to volunteer as e coordination, protocol etc. Thanks to wonderful opening not only to Ambassador for InterNations in Haiti. e Australian Government, I am now spoiled for choice for career orientation.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 13

French to some members of e for an international student to live. In Canadian delegation - a language at addition, whatever e problem is, I have not practiced since I le Haiti from academic to personal, help is 16 mon s ago. always available for e AAS recipients rough various student support This is my second (and last) year, so I services such as e International will return to Haiti in December Student Services, e Transition Oce following my graduation. My journey and e International Student Advisors. has been amazing us far and I truly look forward to what e future brings! My experience at Flinders University RIPHARD SERENT HAITI has been successful. I was in e top Masters of Public Administration (Policy) I was selected by DFAT to be e 15% of my studies, which qualified Flinders University | 2015 speaker on behalf of e Australia me to receive an invitation to be a Awards students at e farewell and member of Golden Key International I am Riphard Serent and is is just a welcome ceremony held at e Honour Society. This great part of "My Australian Experience!" Adelaide Convention Center in Sou achievement was not only e result Australia in December 2015. I will of my endeavours and motivation to As bo an Australia Scholarship return to my country aer graduation succeed in is prestigious scholarship Awardee and Australia Leadership 18 December 2015. but also e consequence of a range Awardee, I had e great privilege to of academic support available at participate recently in e international [speech below] Flinders University for e AAS holders. conference on ‘Constitutional 3 December 2015 Monarchy in e Commonweal Not only does e Australia Awards Realms: Opportunities in Common’ at Australia Awards Welcome and offer e opportunity to earn a e Parliament Buildings, Wellington, Farewell Ceremony Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in a New Zealand. great country, it provides a range of Dear fellow students; ladies and positive externalities at have direct Delegations from UK, Australia and gentlemen, impacts on e students’ personal Canada were present at is I would like to add my voice to ose development. For instance, I have conference at gave me e of all e graduating students here to networked wi students/professionals opportunity to meet wi different ank e Australian Government for from more an 15 countries such as high dignitaries such as e Chief having granted us is incredible Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Uganda, Herald of Canada, e Canadian opportunity to study in Australia Nepal, Ghana, Tanzania, Papua New Secretary to e Queen and Members rough e AAS program run by e Guinea, Jamaica, Guyana, Mexico, of Parliament of New Zealand. Since DFAT. This is an experience of a Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, East ere was no delegation from e lifetime at will certainly shape our Timor, Indonesia and Australia; I have Caribbean, I had e honour to capability to contribute to e visited some great places, seen and represent on behalf of e Caribbean development of our countries. patted lovely animals such as a countries at are part of e kangaroo and koala, of which I could Commonweal . My experience wi e Australia only dream before; I’ve played soccer Awards was fascinating, enjoyable and wi my friends from East Timor, The conference on e Crown was productive. In fact, I was not only Vietnam and Indonesia; I have productive and enjoyable. I had a great granted an Australia Awards considerably improved my English opportunity to learn what Heraldry Scholarship (AAS), but I was also communication skills; I’ve volunteered Societies do, e different uses and invited to participate in e Australia for about six mon s making values of coats of arms, e Awards Leadership (AAL) program, sandwiches at e coffee shop at governance system in sixteen which enabled me to visit New Flinders Medical Centre; and I have countries and how e constitutional Zealand recently for an international just completed an internship wi e Monarchy works in e conference on governance. Sou Australian government, which Commonweal Realms - including gave me a great opportunity to e role of e Queen. As for all e o er students, it was not enhance my professional skills and dicult for me to adapt myself wi gain new knowledge in e field of This was an experience of a lifetime e Sou Australian life and e life at water planning and management. and a wonderful experience to visit university. Australia offers an incredible New Zealand. I also had fun visiting cultural diversity and a high level of My plan to contribute to e e Te Papa museum and speaking infrastructure at makes it really easy development of my country upon 14 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

returning is very ambitious. It includes and spiritual support at contributed giving lectures to students at e to my success in e program and undergraduate level in ‘Public Policy’ fostered my personal grow and and ‘Introduction to Public development. Administration’; developing a new model of management for my Outside of my studies, I was able to organisation to be added to e explore e country at my leisure. On existing heal care policy in order to one of ese occasions, I met wi improve e quality of heal care some fellow Jamaicans to celebrate provided to e community; organising Jamaica's independence. I was very DADRIA SMITH conferences on development-related JAMAICA happy I met em and was even emes for community based Masters of International introduced to a Jamaican restaurant! organisations and engaging in Revenue Administration There were times when I missed informed debates in e media to University of Canberra | 2013 home and certain Jamaican dishes, so promote inclusive public policies, meeting o er Jamaicans and finding accountability and good governance in My experience in Australia was e restaurant was indeed a pleasant my country. memorable. Not only did I obtain a surprise. globally recognised qualification but The presence of all e graduating e experience afforded me e I also enjoyed e cuisine of Australia students in is room today testifies to opportunity to meet people from and o er countries and even learnt e success of e AAS program, and different countries wi varying how to and enjoyed preparing Aussie it is is success at I want to share backgrounds, who were ei er living meals. I did not have any challenge wi you, e newly commencing and/or studying ere. I developed finding ingredients to prepare meals students. Success is yours if you are special and lasting friendships from at I was generally used to having. ready and willing to put effort in. We ese interactions and encounters at do know at you have e academic my University, University of Canberra, Overall, I found Australia to be a safe potentials to do well. O erwise you where I studied as well as in e and relaxed environment for living and would have not been selected by Church circles in Canberra. studying. Al ough, it is very far from DFAT. my home country, it was wor e During my stay, I became a part of a trip. Wi out any reservations, I would I am familiar wi a number of Church family, which was instrumental recommend Australia as a country of scholarship programs in e world, but in providing cultural guidance, social choice for higher education. please allow me to say at e AAS program is e best. As many o er graduating students, I am very happy world as well as enjoyed many at I will go back home wi almost memorable places. 10 certificates in addition to e Master of Public Administration My favourites: (Policy). - The Blue Mountains for hiking - The serene Darling Harbour This is an incredible and memorable - The sleepy fishing village Kiama; experience for all of us. We are ready and not to mention THE OUTBACK! now to return to our countries to contribute to e development of our There is always some new and communities. We are part of e future MOY ANN SIMPSON exciting event happening in Sydney, of our countries at rely on us. Let us JAMAICA where I studied. make good use of e great education Masters of Management (Sport) received in Australia to empower University of Technology, Sydney | 2015 I would encourage anyone to study young men and women back home overseas as it broadens your world; and to play our part in e It has only been a year – I just certainly Australia can be a first pick development of is world. Finally, graduated, but I’ve come to love wi such an International flavour in its ere is no doubt at Australia will Australia and feel right at home. major cities - e vast choice of cuisine always remain in our oughts and will Pursuing my Masters of Management alone can attest to is! have a special place in our hearts. (Sport) at UTS: University of Technology Sydney has been a Thank you Australia Awards THANK YOU VERY MUCH. wonderful experience for me. I’ve Scholarship for such an awesome made so many friends and opportunity and experience. professional contacts from all over e ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 15

studies have given me an appreciation My University is referred to by many of e critical role of scientific as “University in a Park” because we investigations/analysis in e pursuit of studied wi e sounds of birds in e answers to limit illegal access to ese trees, peacocks strutting across e weapons. manicured lawns, ducks waddling in e pool, and dolphins frolicking in As a Caribbean National in Western Matilda’s Bay nearby. I was able to Australia I had numerous ‘Firsts’ such network wi practitioners in my area as: of study and glean from eir varied experiences in e area of crime KIMBERLYN CAMPBELL - First Jamaican and Caribbean fighting. I’ve made lifelong friendships JAMAICA National to live at Currie Hall now wi persons from across e globe Master of Forensic Science University of Western Australia | 2013 University Hall Residential College. I and exchanged cultural differences was also a Residential Advisor. and similarities.

Pursuing my Masters in Forensic - First Jamaican and Caribbean I will always treasure e two years Science was a dream come true and National in my faculty and at I spent in Australia and despite doing it in Australia was a life changing department (Centre for Forensic some challenging course units and e and enriching experience. My area of Science). dea of a friend, I would do it again. focus was Firearm and Toolmark I was able to travel to Bali, Thailand, Identification, influenced by e high - First Jamaican and Caribbean Malaysia and Europe. I not only level of gun related crimes in Jamaica National to speak at e 50 gained academic qualifications but also and e challenges in tracing and Anniversary of e Council for a degree in life and graduated as a recovering illegal firearms. International Students of Western citizen of e world. Australia, CISWA. During my programme I gained a Thank you for such an amazing deeper understanding of e diculty - First Jamaican and Caribbean opportunity!!! facing many developing countries in National to speak at Government e fight against illegal weapons. The House on behalf of Australia increase in technology has allowed Awards Scholars in Western perpetrators of such crimes to be one Australia. step ahead of e law however, my

philosophy to e absolute home country/region at were “non-negotiables” of world peace. amazing in helping me to settle in.

By e way, allow me to pause here to I was also blessed enough to find a just quickly say at e University of church family at loved me enough to Sydney is as amazing in academic try to convince me not to return home quality as it is in historic significance. at e end of my studies! I saw ings, Walking across campus always felt as places, and animals at I never ough I was caught in e Twilight ought would be mine to behold in a Zone – constantly jumping between lifetime. Then I jumped out of a plane RANDELL BAILEY 2013 and 1850, while sitting amongst knowing at if I died in e process I JAMAICA ose brilliant minds not only would be going out a happy man. Master of Public Policy University of Sydney | 2013 perplexed by, but sharpened my own. I ank e Australian Government for Over e course of one year I learnt affording me e opportunity to Though I have never considered myself bits of o er languages, tried new expand my horizons. Multiculturalism, to be an ‘academic’ my student foods, learnt new rules and even broke corporate social responsibility, experience challenged me to read a few…albeit inadvertently. I made sustainability and all its derivatives, and extensively, ink critically, write expertly, personal connections at I am sure even tourism are all concepts at I and argue astutely. I found myself will never end. Not only were e o er now look at differently as a result of challenged to be e best possible orator Australian Award Scholars amazing e exposure received. Thanks to is on every ing from e basic tenets of folks, but I also found persons from my experience my adapted mantra reads “I came, I saw…I grew!”