• Charles Sturt in Port Macquarie hosted special events this week to welcome the University’s international students
• Exchange students from China were officially welcomed by Charles Sturt at a meet and greet on Friday 27 September
• More than 30 international students from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka also visited Port Macquarie for a special tour and welcome event

This week Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) in Port Macquarie has celebrated the University’s international students by hosting student leadership and welcome events for students from Nepal, Sri Lanka, China and India.

Through the University’s international partnerships in China, a number of exchange students are building their global business acumen by taking the opportunity to live and study in Port Macquarie.

Some of these students were officially greeted by Charles Sturt’s Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Global Engagement) Mr Tom Burton and academics from the Charles Sturt Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences including Executive Dean Professor Tracey Green, at a special meet and greet event at the Port Macquarie campus on Friday 27 September.

In addition, more than 30 international students from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka (pictured) studying at the University’s Brisbane Study Centre, visited the Port Macquarie campus on Thursday 26 September for a student leadership workshop and welcome event hosted by local students and staff.

The group participated in Charles Sturt’s STRIVE leadership program, which ensures the University’s graduates are driving global perspectives for local communities.

Mr Burton said the University was excited about the international exchange programs and the strong interest Charles Sturt has received from international students.

“Exchange programs are important to the University because they are a great way for both international and local students to collaborate and build their perspectives of an increasingly connected world,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be able to welcome a broad range of international students and will continue to build the international appeal for the University and the Port Macquarie campus,” Mr Burton said.

“It was a pleasure meeting with all of our international students studying at the Brisbane Study Centre and the students from China we are hosting under the exchange program.”

Four of the University’s Chinese exchange students: Ms Yongyin (Ivy) Wang and Ms Junying Chen from Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Ms Xinlan Zhao from Tianjin University of Commerce, and Ms Siqi Liu from Yangzhou University, are all studying business and accounting subjects while at Charles Sturt.

All four students said they are enjoying their time at Charles Sturt in Port Macquarie and are pleased with the exchange program.

Ms Wang, who is in her final year of study for her bachelor’s degree, said everyone at the Charles Sturt campus is very friendly.

“Port Macquarie is a very quiet and comfortable town. The living environment and school facilities are perfect,” she said.

“It is my pleasure to be able to participate in the international exchange program to come to such a fabulous campus.”

Ms Liu said she decided to take part in the exchange program to expand her business knowledge and experience Australia’s culture and customs.

“I really like studying in Port Macquarie. The trip has allowed me to broaden my horizons, and I have learned a lot and met many interesting students,” Ms Liu said.

Ms Chen said, “Charles Sturt is really awesome for me. I am really enjoying my time in Port Macquarie and I am considering continuing my study here.”

Ms Zhao, whose major in China is financial management, said she has met many friends and learned a lot about the Australian culture as part of the exchange program.

“I am really enjoying the exchange program; I am understanding the way of education in different countries and the program is really meaningful to my life,” Ms Chen said.

CSU Global’s student exchange program allows undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students to spend one or two semesters in another country while gaining credit for the subjects they study.