Hu Lei

Hu Lei (Jeff) came to South West TAFE to study the Diploma of Business.  He stayed on to complete the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and the Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management.  He is now planning to complete a Bachelor of Management at Deakin University by taking a further five units of study over one year.

“It sounds amazing, but I did it,” says Jeff.  “I was surprised that I could get so many work opportunities in Australia.  Right now I am waiting for my PR (permanent residency status) and full of confidence.”

Jeff has some words of encouragement for other students thinking of coming to Warrnambool.

“I made heaps of friends in the town.  Whenever I walk on the street I can always see some familiar faces.  People here are very friendly and very helpful, so you don’t have to worry too much; they are going to help you out if you have any problems, either study or living.  After a year or two, I am sure that you will be bloody local just like me.”

George Kuaia

After making the difficult decision to leave his home in the Solomon Islands and his position as a telephone technician, George Kuaia came to South West TAFE to study the Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems Engineering.

George quickly adapted to the cooler climate, unfamiliar food, life with a host family and the rigours of full-time study, and has become well known in the local community through his success as a soccer player with the Warrnambool Wolves.

Now in the second year of his course, George believes the experience has been well worthwhile.  “I have been dreaming about doing a course like this for many years,” he says.  “Warrnambool is an ideal place to study and I believe this course will give me skills that are in high demand at home.”