Harvey Liu is from Shenzhen, China, a city in southern China’s Guangdong province, situated immediately north to Hong Kong. Shenzhen has a population of about 12 million people!
"I've been here since 2007 and this is my second master degree – I'm enrolled in the Master of Environmental Engineering Management. I got interested in UTS because a friend also planned to study here and the course was only one year, after doing research on the internet I decided I wanted to come to UTS and do a degree that's related to my background, environmental science, but is different all the same – namely environmental management. Another major deciding factor was also that UTS had won a teaching award in 2007!
The teaching here is different to my undergraduate degree; we are expected to think and learn quite independently. Our teachers are very encouraging and make sure that discussion groups are balanced between local and international students. Students here are very active and enthusiastic.
There was a faculty welcome before semester started and I found the peer networkers in their orange t-shirts - students who are already studying here - very welcoming and friendly. I could sense that this is what UTS represents, a symbol for UTS to make the new students feel welcome. I think the motto 'think change do' is great. I like it. It changed to 'think green do' and I thought, ah, the environment! UTS is very practical and it's an image I really like. I use the library a fair bit; the staff are very helpful.
I play basketball and I go to the gym. At weekends I go to Chinese Church and I've also joined FOCUS, that's a Christian group for international students on campus. I also like eating out – Indian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, but I do cook Chinese food at home. When I first arrived I stayed with my uncle in Bankstown and my family were happy to know that I was well looked after. Now I've moved to Chatswood.
During the summer holidays I've worked as a kitchen hand in an Italian restaurant as well as planting trees with a bush regeneration company. That was really hard physical work! I also have worked as a lawn mowing volunteer for elder people. It's a fantastic experience! In the upcoming semester break, I plan to do one subject but also do some travelling. I've already been to Brisbane and Melbourne but I’d like to go again. Also, I'd like to go to Canberra, Australia's capital city."
Harvey is also a recipient of the Masters Scholarship for Outstanding International Students.
