The plan to make exchange in Australia came about in 2015 as a new career opportunity for the then recently graduated architect Mariane Cipriani. Together with her husband, the Santa Catarina native wanted to develop her English, have contact with other cultures and add more knowledge to her field of work, which is why she chose to study Civil Construction Design at TAFE, an institution recognized for its high quality education.
When asked what attracts her most to Australia, she comments that Down Under the system works. Read the student's full statement below:
What were you doing in Brazil?
My story with Australia began in 2015. I'm an architect, but at the time I had just graduated, I was saving money and planning to open my office, but the economic situation in Brazil wasn't very good. This worried me because the first few years of a new business are difficult and having a recession that was showing its first symptoms in the construction industry wasn't the best scenario. Then, in December of that year, my husband's cousin came to visit us and she had been living here in Australia for a year and a half. She told us about life here and a new life plan emerged.
Why did you come to Australia and what are your goals in the country?
I came to Australia with my husband for personal and professional growth. Firstly, to learn and develop English, which is essential nowadays. Secondly, to have contact with other cultures. Getting to know new places and people has always been a dream of mine. And last but not least, to gain knowledge in the construction industry and come back with some experience in this area.
How did you choose the Civil Construction Design course?
I wanted a course that focused on the construction industry and that was stimulating. If I went for a technical course in architecture, it could be very similar to what I learned in Brazil, so I chose Civil Construction Design, which would complement my knowledge of structures, techniques and materials, with a focus on civil engineering. So, through research, I soon realized that TAFE had this course and was the best option with these characteristics.
Tell us a bit about TAFE and the course structure. Are you enjoying it?
This is a three-semester technical course, and in a year and a half you complete the Diploma in Civil Construction Design. I'm really enjoying it because I'm studying subjects that weren't so focused on in the architecture course, I'm getting to know the regulations and legislation here, I'm learning a lot of technical terms in the field and I'm meeting teachers and students from many countries.
What was the biggest challenge in Australia?
The biggest challenge in Australia was the language. Although I had contact with English in Brazil, I had never studied the subject for very long and this difficulty is felt every day. But with time and a few strategies, it's possible to overcome any obstacle.
What attracts you most about the country?
I'm going to talk about what impresses me most about the country. The system works here. In my experience, everything here works very well: transportation, security, education, health, etc. It's not perfect, but I hope that one day Brazil will have all this functionality too.
Do you have any advice or tips for those who want to study in Australia?
If this is your dream, persevere and you will undoubtedly be here one day. Find out about everything and choose something that will make you happy in the long term.
How did you get to know Good Day Education? Do you think the support offered by the agency makes a difference to your exchange experience?
I met Good Day Education through referrals from friends when I wanted to renew my visa. I believe that this is a company that listens to your wishes and seeks the best for you. Having an agency like Good Day that demonstrates this responsibility is extremely important here in Australia.
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And if you want to know more about educational planning and exchange in Australia, contact us!
