At CQU's Gold Coast International Campus we are fortunate to have students from Australia and all over the world. We hear some very exciting stories of their respected home country and other stories that make us truly appreciate where we live. The students enjoy their learning experience with us however we sometimes forget just how much they teach us in return.

This story is about (just) two of our many valued students.

Paal, 23, and Annette, 22, are both originally from Norway in a city named Holmestrand, approximately 70km from Oslo, the country’s capital.

These two describe themselves as a pretty normal couple. To us they are quite exceptional. They are a couple who have decided at a relatively young age, to experience the world, and have combined this travel experience with further education.

Paal says: “We both decided we wanted to travel, we felt a need to experience something different to our much loved home of Norway. We then agreed it would be beneficial to combine this with further education. We also wanted to perfect our English skills and knew the best way to do this was to head for an English speaking country.” “At first Paal thought we should try Canada, but I had my heart set on Australia. So here we are,” Annette added, with a smile.

Paal is in the final semester of a Bachelor of Business degree and Annette in her final term of a Bachelor of Information Technology.

Paal left Secondary school in 1998 and joined the Norwegian Army for a year, working as a VIP Driver for the Norwegian Defence Headquarters. Following that, he did two years at the Norwegian School of Management.

Then came the time for them to select a destination. They already had three friends on the Gold Coast and had heard nothing but positive reports: good weather, nightlife, people and beaches. So the Gold Coast it was! They then needed to choose where and what to study, so they approached a student agency in Oslo, Boomerang Studies. The agency promoted several universities, one of them being Central Queensland University.

They researched the suggested universities, finally deciding on CQU, a decision they have never regretted.

“Our 18 months with CQU has been instructive in many senses. Not only has it been academically stimulating, but we have also been able to take in other life experiences along the way,” said Paal.

Paal did some work with our sales and recruitment team here, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Both agree the Gold Coast has been a wonderful experience for them. They have had an opportunity to live in a beachfront home, wonderful golf courses and (though they find it difficult to admit) vegemite.

On completion of their degree they are planning to head home for six months and then travel to Barcelona on the Spanish Riviera to commence a Masters degree.

They both appreciate their CQU education and agree it will most certainly advantage them in their future working careers.

Central Queensland University Gold Coast Campus team would like to wish them both the very best with their future, both personally and professionally. The pleasure was all ours!