Story and photos CONTRIBUTED BY Stepen Lin.

Asmaa Abdel Maged from Cairo, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from Ain Shimas University, is studying at the Language Centre, CQU Rockhampton.

Despite the lack of compatriats at CQU, Asmaa enjoyed her first Christmas in Rockhampton, spending the day at the home of Lavenia James (from CQU International).

She is enjoying the vast green parklands and the friendliness of people she comes across, even though she does not particularly like the scorching sunlight.

Asmaa was thrilled to receive a tuition deduction scholarship for her Masters of Business Administration program, which is an incentive for overseas students to come to study at Rockhampton campus.

She is very positive about her employment prospects. An MBA from CQU and a good mastery of English will hopefully lead her into international careers, either staying in Australia or returning to Egypt.

Asmaa worked for a year in the United Arab Emirates to save money for her studies.

She is keen to organise a local cultural group to let more people know about the ancient and contemporary civilisations of Egypt. Interested people can contact Asmaa at: soma_a@usa.com .