International Students Student stories Social Work Cherie Lai (Hong Kong)
Cherie Lai (Hong Kong)
- Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Marine Science
- Courses
- Future Students
- Current Students
- Research and Teaching
- Partners and Community
- About JCU
- Reputation and Experience
- Celebrating 50 Years
- ALTAR
- Anton Breinl Research Centre
- Agriculture Technology and Adoption Centre
- Living on Campus
- Advanced Prawn Breeding Research Hub
- Advanced Analytical Centre
- Applying to JCU
- Alumni
- AMHHEC
- JCU Aquaculture Solutions
- AusAsian Mental Health Research Group
- ARCSTA
- Area 61
- Association of Australian University Secretaries
- Australian/NZ Students
- Australian Lions Stinger Research
- Boating and Diving
- ATSIP
- Employability Edge
- Australian Tropical Herbarium
- Careers at JCU
- Careers and Employability
- Australian Quantum & Classical Transport Physics Group
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology
- CITBA
- Chancellery
- CMT
- CASE
- College of Business, Law and Governance
- College of Healthcare Sciences
- WHOCC for N&M Education and Research
- College of Medicine and Dentistry
- College of Science and Engineering
- CPHMVS
- COVID-19 Advice
- Centre for Disaster Solutions
- CSTFA
- Cyclone Testing Station
- The Centre for Disaster Studies
- Daintree Rainforest Observatory
- Diploma of Higher Education
- Discover Nature at JCU
- Research Division
- Services and Resources Division
- Education Division
- Division of Tropical Environments and Societies
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine
- Economic Geology Research Centre
- Elite Athletes
- eResearch
- ERC
- Estate
- Financial and Business Services Office
- Fletcherview
- Foundation for Australian Literary Studies
- Gender Equity Action and Research
- GetReady4Uni
- Give to JCU
- Governance
- Information for JCU Cairns Graduates
- Graduate Research School
- Graduation
- Indigenous Education and Research Centre
- Indigenous Engagement
- Indigenous Legal Needs Project
- Inherent Requirements
- IsoTropics Geochemistry Lab
- IT Services
- International Schools
- International Students
- JCU Connect
- JCU Eduquarium
- JCU Events
- JCU Global Experience
- JCU Ideas Lab
- JCU Job Ready
- JCU Motorsports
- JCU Prizes
- JCU Sport
- JCU Turtle Health Research
- Language and Culture Research Centre
- CEE
- LearnJCU
- Library
- Mabo Decision: 30 years on
- MARF
- Marine Geophysics Laboratory
- New students
- Off-Campus Students
- Office of the Vice Chancellor and President
- Virtual Open Day
- Orpheus
- Outstanding Alumni Awards
- Parents and Partners
- Pathways to university
- Planning for your future
- Placements
- Policy
- PAHL
- Publications
- Professional Experience Placement
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Rapid Assessment Unit
- RDIM
- Researcher Development Portal
- Safety and Wellbeing
- Scholarships
- Contextual Science for Tropical Coastal Ecosystems
- Staff
- State of the Tropics
- Strategic Procurement
- Student Equity and Wellbeing
- Student profiles
- SWIRLnet
- TARL
- TESS
- TREAD
- TropEco
- TQ Maths Hub
- TUDLab
- Unicare Centre and Unicampus Kids
- UAV
- VAVS Home
- Work Health and Safety
- WHOCC for Vector-borne & NTDs
- Media
- Copyright and Terms of Use
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine
Why did you choose JCU?
I chose JCU because of its location in North Queensland, the home of The Strand (right beside the Greater Barrier Reef!), and the beautiful views from the top of Castle Hill. I knew how different it would be compared to the city hustle where I’m from, but I’d still be able to enjoy the world-class education and most of the necessities within my reach! All of the reasons are why I chose to study a Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) at JCU.
What has been the highlight of your JCU experience?
The highlight of my experience as an international student is definitely the wide diversity of community services I am eligible to access and encouraged to use. These include participating in community events including the Full Moon Drum Circle and Townsville Cultural Festival. Another highlight has been learning about how mental well-being is encouraged in society and there are a lot of activities and services dedicated to caring for people’s mental health.
Cherie Lai with JCU's Vice Chancellor Simon Biggs at the International Completion Ceremony June 2022.
What are your plans for the next few years now that you have completed your studies?
I am mind-blown by how accessible mental health services are, and how open the culture is to discuss mental health issues, gender equality, inclusivity, and diversity. This experience has inspired me to work in the industry and bring home the new mindset I have gained here in Australia to help encourage my peers back home to put their well-being in the centre and seek support without self-stigma.
Would you like to share any advice with prospective international students considering JCU?
I believe my experience is only the tip of the iceberg of what Australia has to offer. If you are considering joining our JCU community, I can assure you of the unique experience you’ll be able to get and the knowledge you’ll be able to obtain with so much support here. Good luck and see you soon!