USQ programs attract international attention

Imagine leaving your home, family, friends and job to fly across the world to study in a foreign country for one year.

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) student, Christian Vizzuett and his wife Valeria took this brave step when they arrived in Australia earlier this year so Christian could complete a Masters in Project Management at the Springfield campus.

Christian said he began thinking of a career change while he and Valeria were living and working in Mexico.

'I had already completed a Bachelor of Business and two subsequent qualifications in management and corporate finances in Mexico and was working for the Mexican Taxation Office," he said.

'Mexico is undergoing a rapid period of modernisation and I could see future opportunities opening up in the field of Project Management.

'I decided to change career paths into this field as it would become a personal, professional and economic opportunity area for me, but could find no relevant courses in Mexico.

'I began looking for a one year, full-time, on campus, intensive and business oriented Project Management Program.

'Out of all the Masters Programs I looked at in many countries I found only four universities who offered everything I was looking for.'

Christian said he chose to complete his masters degree at USQ's Springfield campus because south east Queensland's economy was one of the most dynamic of this region of the world.

'Living and studying in Springfield offered me the opportunity to learn the way projects are run in a developed country.

'The structure of the USQ program also allowed me to choose a specialisation that best suited my interests.'

Christian said moving to the other side of the world to live off savings and a scholarship from the Mexican government for a year had been a challenge, but in the end worthwhile.

'When I return to Mexico next year I will have given myself an opportunity to begin a new career.'

Christian and Valeria have just discovered that they are pregnant with their first child who will be born while they are still living in Australia.

Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979