Visiting Chinese students start immersion in community
Published on 29 May, 2008
A group of 15 students from the City University of Hong Kong this week started to immerse themselves in the Rockhampton community.
They will be in the city for a month (from May 26), in between taking English language classes at CQU Rockhampton.
Under a novel English Language Immersion Program, they will help out at Capricorn Community Radio 4YOU, St Vincent de Paul (assisting in the Vinnie's Centres and database updates) and Rockhampton Tourist and Business Information (at the visitor information centres).
Speaking after a couple of days of induction at the Customs House tourist information centre, Florence Ho Chun Sze said:
"Things and cultures are totally different from Hong Kong.
"There are no tall buildings here while Hong Kong is full of skyscapers. Shops close at 5pm while it will still be very crowded at 11pm in Hong Kong. I start to enjoy the tranquil and simple life here in Rockhampton.
"As a Chinese student arriving in Rockhampton for 2 days, it was really challenging for me to be the receptionist for the tourist centre. I was very nervous, scared and anxious. And I cram for maps, brochures and leaflets about Rockhampton, as well as Australia, for the sake of making myself capable for the job.
"Luckily, people here are very nice and helpful to me. They will answer my questions patiently and guide me step by step to understand more about the place. This makes me calmed down a little bit from stress. I hope I will be familiar with the working place asap and can really give a hand to the tourists later on."
For other visiting students, English language classes will occupy each morning on campus and then, each available afternoon, Capricorn Community Radio 4YOU broadcasting on 98.5 FM, will become their focus.
One mission at 4YOU is to design a much-needed web page for the station.
Other students will go out into Rockhampton shopping centres and streets and attend the Rockhampton Show to gather survey information about local people's taste in radio stations and music preferences, from a survey format they have helped put together.
As well, the students will take part in the Chinese Radio Show on 4YOU hosted by CQU student Tony Tao on behalf of the Rockhampton Chinese Association. The Chinese Radio Show is broadcast each Sunday at 1pm as part of the diverse programming that serves the multicultural and general community in Rockhampton.
Local tourism is one sector to benefit
4YOU President Jim Gribbin said the 4YOU organisation was delighted at the opportunity to partner with CQU in this innovative program and extremely grateful to have such valuable work done.
"As a community organisation managed entirely by volunteers, the expertise to design a web page and the manpower and finances to conduct a 4YOU specific survey, has always been beyond our capability. The long-term benefit to our station's ability to service its community is incalculable," he said.
Greg Mitchell, Director of Studies at CQU's Language Centre, who has been responsible for setting up the program, is pleased at the community's acceptance of the offer of assistance from the students.
"This is an extremely beneficial program all round," he said. "It's one of those situations where everyone is well served."
"The academic relationship between the 2 universities is strengthened, CQU benefits, the students benefit and the Rockhampton community benefits.
"It is to be hoped that this will be the first of many such programs where projects begun in the community can be added to by successive groups".