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When a life-changing incident threatened to derail his plans, UOW College helped international student Adrian get back to his studies and keep his future in marketing on track.
Adrian came to Australia from Vietnam to study the Diploma of Business Fast Track at UOW College in Wollongong, taking a first step towards his long-held ambition of building a career in business and marketing. After completing his diploma, he progressed into the Bachelor of Business at the University of Wollongong (UOW), majoring in marketing.
“Even as a five-year-old, although I was apparently talented at many things and had a knack for playing instruments, I just wanted to learn business and start making money,” Adrian says.
A bridge between high school and university
After finishing high school and sitting the English language proficiency test IELTS, Adrian began researching his options for studying overseas, looking at universities in Australia, the UK and Canada.
“Both the UK and Canada were too far from Vietnam,” he says. “So I decided: okay, let’s do Australia.”
Australia also felt like a natural fit for Adrian’s laid-back personality. When it came to choosing where to study, Wollongong appealed to him more than Sydney’s busy environment.
“I prefer a quieter pace of life, so I knew that Sydney would be too crowded for me,” he says. “Wollongong really seemed to suit my lifestyle.”
At just 17, Adrian also wasn’t ready to jump straight into university in an unfamiliar country. After speaking with his education adviser, he discovered UOW College, where smaller classes and a more supportive environment could provide a bridge between high school and university.
“I felt welcomed and taken care of since the first day I stepped onto the campus,” he says.
Building a foundation for business
At UOW College, Adrian found the supportive environment he had been looking for. The Diploma of Business Fast Track, which provides an accelerated pathway into the second year of a bachelor's degree, gave him a strong foundation in key areas of business, from finance and accounting to marketing and management.
The diploma also helped Adrian become a more independent and proactive learner, with teachers guiding students through research, presentations and other university-style work.
“They always encouraged us to ask questions, so learning was never just one way; it was interactive. I felt that only a couple of weeks in, I already had enough knowledge to start up a new business myself,” Adrian says.
When everything changed
But just as he was finding his feet in Australia and settling into his course at UOW College, his plans were abruptly disrupted. Adrian was involved in a serious incident that left him facing a lengthy recovery and six months in hospital.
During that time, UOW College supported Adrian and his parents with accommodation, meals, practical assistance and adjustments to his studies, helping him gradually return to his education when he was ready.
"We couldn't have done it without them. Everyone at the College was so kind,” Adrian says.
Despite this setback, after consulting with his parents, Adrian decided to continue his studies. He went on to finish the diploma and then progressed into the Bachelor of Business.
Learning is ever-growing
Looking back, Adrian describes what happened to him as “magical” – a difficult, yet formative experience that showed him he was capable of more than he had realised.
“I feel like I can still do great things,” he says with great optimism.
Today, Adrian remains very much in love with Australia and the life he has built in Wollongong. He enjoys the beach and finds a sense of peace by the ocean, watching the waves or swimming in the local rock pools.
Adrian has continued expanding his business knowledge alongside his studies. He has recently started an internship while completing a short-term marketing contract and is also working on a personal project.
“Each time I’m working, I feel like I’m learning something new; I’m ever-growing.”
This experience has given him a deep sense of gratitude – for his parents, the local medical staff and everyone at UOW College who helped him continue his education when life took an unexpected turn.
His advice to other international students considering a pathway to university is simple: build a strong foundation, give yourself time to adjust to a new environment and, above all, stay open to what comes next.