Jean Cedric Laverdure travelled all the way from the island nation of Mauritius, off the southeast coast of Africa, to study at CQUniversity Australia. So he was glad to find a friendly and welcoming environment on Rockhampton Campus.

Known as Cedric, he has made friends by becoming a student mentor and getting involved in campus activities, including the Mini Olympics for which his soccer team came third. He encourages the University to have even more campus events to help international students with networking.

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He will be among around 30 international students attending a CQUniversity 'Going Home' ceremony on May 28. Others likely to be involved are from Norway, the United States, Germany, Canada, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, India, Poland, China, the Philippines and Japan.

Cedric is among a select group of students who have been able to compare CQUniversity's Rockhampton (regional) and Melbourne (metro) campuses as he has completed his double degree in Accounting and Business, majoring in Accounting and Management. During his academic year in Melbourne he gained a Head of Campus commendation letter for academic achievement.

With his degree study complete, Cedric now aims to gain membership of the CPA or CA professional bodies as he seeks employment in Australia. It will certainly help that he has already been invited to become a CPA student ambassador and will be dining with the CPA CEO in coming months to discuss student networking.

Earlier this year, in February, Cedric took part in the new CPA Australia project entitled 'The Naked CEO' which enables business leaders and CEOs of various organisations to share ideas and experiences with students, encouraging them to take the right initiatives towards a great career path.

"CPA Australia was also offering the opportunity for students to communicate and ask questions of the CEO of CPA Australia Alex Malley," Cedric said.

"The questions that could impress the CEO of CPA Australia would win a money can't buy experience, which is a full day mentoring with the CEO of CPA Australia and his senior management teams, plus a seat at The Naked CEO Boardroom and a private dinner with the CEO of CPA Australia.

"At the beginning of March 2012, I was the first person to be selected by Mr Malley, and I felt very proud of myself and of my university.

"This will be such a huge opportunity as I will be able to promote CQUniversity when I meet with Mr Malley in the coming months. Being able to be the first one to get selected did demonstrate the great job and contribution that teaching staff of CQUniversity have empowered in my life. I can't wait for this new experience. Around mid-April 2012, I was appointed the new Student Ambassador for CPA Australia for CQUniversity."

After only four years at CQUniversity, Cedric managed to witness two major flood events for the Fitzroy River and he's seen several snakes around campus. Luckily, the snakes were fairly friendly too.

"I have enjoyed my experience at CQUniversity, especially with the friendly environment and great access to teaching staff and resources, and being able to become a Student Mentor which has given me a huge advantage in terms of networking, close contact with teaching staff, professors, academic people, student support staff, domestic students and international students as well," Cedric said.

"This is a life-time experience which has helped me to make my university experience memorable and unique in my own way, and enables me to develop my communication skill and leadership skills as well. My mentoring experience has as well opened a lot of doors for myself as I got the opportunity to meet nice people and make good friends.

"So my conclusion is 'be what you want to be with CQUniversity'!"