UQ Engineering takes the stage in the USA

For the first time, students at The University of Queensland have been given the opportunity to promote tertiary study in Australia, while being on exchange themselves.

As part of the Embassy of Australia Student Ambassador program run through the Australian Embassy in Washington, Australian university students are now able to endorse studying in Australia while being on exchange in the USA or Canada.

Mechanical Engineering student Laurie Dart will travel to Indiana to attend Purdue University to further his studies in engineering during semester two, 2011.

"My goal is to help students make the difficult decision to study overseas," Mr Dart said.

"It is the perfect opportunity to see breathtaking parts of the world and open your eyes to things different from home."

Mechanical Engineering student Nino Valmadre will also travel to the USA to attend The University of Pennsylvania for semester two studies.

Mr Valmadre said he was looking forward to broadening his horizons.

"I am very interested to get out there and see something new, and all the while, this program offers a great platform for me to also learn something and build on my leadership and public speaking skills along the way," Mr Valmadre said.

The program aims to raise the profile of tertiary study in Australia through peer to peer marketing events on the university campuses in America and Canada.

Director of Undergraduate Education Professor Sushila Chang said that the ambassadorial program was a great way for the students to gain an international perspective on their chosen university degrees.

"This program is a fantastic opportunity for students to promote The University of Queensland on a peer to peer basis and to establish an international network of contacts," Professor Chang said.

Click here for more information on studying abroad as part of your course program.

Media: Madelene Flanagan 3365 8525 or m.flanagan@uq.edu.au