Master of International Business student Ka Po Lee is both honoured and excited to be among the 2014 cohort of Brisbane International Student Ambassadors.
She is one of 36 new ambassadors from 34 countries announced by Mayor Graham Quirk.
“With the G20 Summit set to focus the eyes of the world on Brisbane later this year, this is an extra special honour,” Ka Po (Povy) said.
Povy moved to Brisbane for her postgraduate studies after completing a business management degree with Griffith in Hong Kong, and after a stint working in Western Australia.
“Brisbane is one of the famous cities of the world. It has nice weather and gives me the opportunity to meet many people from different nations and learn about their cultures,” says multi-linguist, Povy.
“I wanted to be a Brisbane International Student Ambassador because I am a friendly person. I can welcome all international students, learn about Brisbane and make new friends.
“Through courses like Politics and the Global Economy and International Business Finance, I also have an understanding of the G20 and its importance.”
The ambassador group covers fifteen of the G20 member countries, adding to the international flavour of Povy’s life. Students in one of her Griffith classes cover 26 different nationalities.
She was born in Hong Kong and lived at different times in Japan, Singapore, the US and Hong Kong before her Australian move.
After graduating with her undergraduate degree, Povy joined the multi-national Swire Group, working in their Hong Kong recruitment division with a focus on overseas employment.
“I gained, developed and extended my interest in and understanding of different cultures while working there.”
Three other Griffith University students were among the Brisbane International Student Ambassadors announced by Mayor Quirk at a ceremony last month.
Jorge Rosas from Peru is studying a double major in Economics and Sustainable Enterprise; Albin Johansson from Sweden is also studying International Business; Shabnam Ahmadzada from Afghanistan is a Forensic Science student.
“With the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane in November, the role of the 2014 ambassadors will be even more important in providing an insight about life in Australia’s new world city to visiting media,” Mayor Quirk said.
“International students add so much to Brisbane; creating a cosmopolitan and vibrant city which makes it all the more inviting for other students as well as tourists, business investors and delegates to events like the G20 Leaders Summit.”
The student ambassador program was established by Brisbane Marketing’s Study Brisbane program in 2009 and is open to both domestic and international students in Brisbane. Honorary appointments were for one year.