Gamada
Indonesia
Institution attended: University of Melbourne
Gamada found that studying in Australia offered him a unique way of
learning. He learned new ways of thinking, which prepared him well for life.
“The methods of teaching and learning were very different from what I
had experienced. Creativity and independent thinking were encouraged and
expected during my studies in Australia. This has helped me in being able to
solve problems in many different ways. Learning in Europe and Asia is much more
prescriptive and, in many ways, more restrictive. Although this was difficult to
adjust to at first it prepares you well for life,” he said.
In Gamada’s
field of engineering, good technical skills are vital. However, his Australian
studies also gave him the chance to develop many general skills and the
independence he needed to succeed in his career.
“The independent thought
processes that I developed during my time in Australia have helped me a lot
since graduating. I can really appreciate different approaches and ideas to
problems and work with people of all backgrounds as a team.”
According to
Gamada, there are many other advantages of studying in Australia. These include
developing very good English communication skills and being exposed to another
culture. Gamada also believes multinational companies value the broad
understanding of the world offered by people who have studied overseas.
Although Gamada left Melbourne after graduating in 1999 he still often
runs into Australians overseas. Owing to the quality of their education, Gamada
and many other Australian graduates have found their way to jobs in companies
overseas.
“There are Australians working everywhere in the world! Having
studied in Australia has helped me to work with Australians, and people of other
nationalities, effectively,” he said.