Saudi students highlight why they love USQ

USQ’s International Office recently ran a video competition for its on-campus international students, asking them to create a video discussing what they enjoy most about studying at USQ.

Manager of International Marketing Collateral, Jenny Simmons, said they held the competition with the aim of finding out what international students like about studying at USQ.

'We were looking for something that was real, so having the students tell us their own thoughts, in their own words, was the best way to do that,' she said.

'We provided the USQ music and the final slide that appears at the end of the video but our students did all the rest. We are using the footage on YouTube to communicate to prospective international students.'

A team of Saudi students produced the award winning video entry -Dreamers Team. It is on YouTube and has received more than 600 hits in the past two weeks http://www.youtube.com/usqmpr

'Mohammed AlMuaili, the Production Manager for the Dreamers Team, was really enthusiastic and even came in to the office to show me how their entry was progressing. I could see how much work they were putting into it and he was obviously very proud of his team’s work- who included Raed Bakhurji, Abdullah AlMoaili, Abdullah AlMeaili and Ahmed AlSomali.

'It was also an opportunity for the students to do something fun and creative outside of their normal studies.'

Ms Simmons said a number of extracurricular events are organised for USQ’s international students by various sections of the University through the year.

'Many social and cultural activities are planned to allow students the opportunity to mix with the USQ community and the wider Toowoomba community. These include a bush dace at the beginning of each semester and events such as Harmony Day, National Day celebrations and USQ Open Day. These activities provide an opportunity for cultural exchange between our International students, our staff and our domestic students.

Every second Friday staff and students from the Open Access College are invited to join in sporting activities from 2 to 4pm. Sports include soccer, volleyball, basketball, table tennis and badminton. On Friday mornings they also share morning tea together.

Ms Simmons said one of the students donated their prize money to assisting future internationals students.

'Their prize was a $200 Visa Gift Card. Mohammed decided to donate some maps of Toowoomba to USQ International with his portion of the winnings. He felt new students would really benefit from having them available when they first arrive here which was such a generous gesture. We have taken his lead and will include a map in each students orientation pack from now on.'

For more information on the video competition or on the activities USQ offers international students please contact USQ International on 4631 2362.

Contact Details:
Connie-Louise Rego, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977