CQU Rockhampton attracts students from across the world but rarely from a place as little known as Moldova - a small country tucked away between Romania and the Ukraine in Eastern Europe.

While now independent - it was part of the USSR - it has in recent times been troubled by rebel republic movements, particularly from the province of Transnistria.

But 21-year-old student Sofia Amirova said the country remains a beautiful and very traditional place. Her family back home is helping to support her study and career aspirations in Australia.

Sofia lived with a Polish family for almost a year as a teenager and believes that living in a country is the best way to learn languages. She already speaks English, Moldovan, Russian, Polish and basic Italian.

The adventurous student arrived in Sydney at age 16 to study English and moved on to complete diplomas in business administration and pathology testing.

She's now enrolled in a nursing degree and plans to stay in Rockhampton for the next 3 years until she qualifies as a nurse.

Sofia is helping to support herself with bar work at the Student Association. She has previous experience in photographic and catwalk modelling and film and TV acting in Europe and Australia and would also consider work in these areas.