Andrea Ha (Vietnam) - Beverly Hills Girls High School

Leaving my family and coming to Australia for high school was the biggest decision of my life. Australia has always been attractive to me due to the beauty and harmony of cultural and racial diversity. And so, at 14 years of age, I ventured into an independent life in Sydney.
My journey began at Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre (IEC), where English was not the only thing I learned. Meeting a new variety of friends from a variety of cultures, I had the fortune of learning about their unique bringing that widened my perspective of the world.
In 2017, I enrolled in Beverly Hills Girls High School. As a ninth-grader, the vast array of subjects, extracurricular programs, and support staff that differed from many high schools were eye-opening.

What surprised me most about the subjects offered was their focus on practicality, which gave rise me an eagerness to try out new things. Information and Digital Technology (VET) has certainly equipped me with the necessary skills to contribute to the school during Online Learning time and for that, I was awarded the winner for NSW VET Award in Information and Digital Technology category.
I took part in numerous leadership programs with a single goal in mind: to inspire other people to lead. In reward for my service, I received the Service to Other Trophy and was named the winner of New South Wales International Student of the Year 2020.
I'm currently studying Computing Science at the University of Technology Sydney with a goal to use the knowledge of technology to improve the lives of others.
To all NSW future International students: It is scary to step into a new phase of your life at a young age, not knowing for sure where it will lead you; but always make your decision without regret and follow my motto of "Be nice, be kind and be the best you can be.