In her 20s, after majoring in Advertising and Media in Korea and creating branded content, Se-young Park decided to head to Australia to experience a “slightly different life.” Although her plans to study abroad were once delayed due to the pandemic, her life in Australia—replanned and finally realized—has become more than just language training; it has become a journey of self-discovery. Currently, she has completed her enrollment to study Graphic Design in Brisbane and is balancing her studies with a job at a local Australian bakery while continuing her English language journey. Her choice, which began with a desire to expand from content planning to hands-on design, is still a work in progress.
Q. When did you arrive in Australia, and what is your current situation? I arrived in July 2024. I spent about a year and ten months on a Working Holiday visa, and I am currently staying on a student visa. I am set to begin a VET course in Graphic Design.
Q. Why did you decide to study Graphic Design in Australia? While I enjoy planning content and building big-picture frameworks, I felt a strong desire to handle the actual design work myself. I believed that having technical design knowledge would allow me to produce much better results. These days, the ability to utilize AI is becoming increasingly important in advertising and marketing, but I believe that simply understanding the core principles of design is a huge asset—both for using AI effectively and for communicating in the workplace. Based on that understanding, my dream is to become a creative marketer who can masterfully leverage AI in the future.
Q. How has your life in Australia been so far? I initially came here to study English, but as I lived here, I realized this environment suits me perfectly. In Korea, the goals I set might not have been “entirely what I wanted,” but here, I feel like I am making choices and living exactly the way I want to. Without the pressure of others’ expectations, I’ve been able to discover what I truly like, and I’ve found the mental space to enjoy even the smallest hobbies.
Q. How did you approach your English studies? I found the process of learning English so much fun. I read a lot out loud and listened to podcasts consistently. By repeating this every day, I picked it up naturally, and I even tried writing my blog in English. Learning English through English at a language school was a particularly great experience. It felt less like memorizing grammar and more like learning a whole new way of thinking. I tried to talk to my teachers as much as possible and participated in almost all the after-school activities. Through that, I made friends and was even able to get job referrals.
Q. You are currently working at an Australian bakery. Do you have any tips for finding a job here? Yes, I’m working at a bakery now. At first, I lacked confidence because of my English, so I wanted to work in the kitchen. However, during the interview, the owner said, “Your English is fine, why don’t you try working out front?” So I took on the challenge. Looking back, I think it’s very important to approach interviews with confidence. When I first started, communicating with my Australian coworkers was a bit difficult, but now I’ve become very used to it and we’ve grown quite close.
Q. What is your most memorable experience in Australia? Spending Christmas at an Australian friend’s family home is my most vivid memory. In Korea, it usually feels like just another public holiday, but in Australia, the culture of spending it with family like a major traditional holiday was very impressive and a truly heartwarming experience.
Q. Is there anything you regret or haven’t been able to do yet? I made a long travel bucket list before coming to Australia, but I haven’t been able to check much off yet. I really wanted to visit places like Uluru, but I haven’t made it there yet. I definitely want to go during the remainder of my stay.
Q. Would you recommend life in Australia to others? I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it lightly. I see living abroad as a “challenge” rather than just a trip. I was lucky enough to meet great people and find work relatively easily, but that experience isn’t guaranteed for everyone. However, for someone with a strong will and a desire to challenge themselves, I believe it will be a truly meaningful time.
Q. How did your family react to your journey? My father has always respected my choices, and my mother was even more proactive in her support because she once had her own dream of going abroad. I was so grateful when they ultimately told me I had “done a great job.” I’m always thankful to my parents for supporting the decisions I make.
Q. What are your plans for the future? I started an Instagram account on January 1st this year. Knowing that my life in Australia will eventually have an end date made me want to leave a record of it. I want to turn my cultural experiences and memories here into content so I can remember them for a long time. I hope everyone else takes home plenty of good memories and experiences—whether it’s English, work, or their career—during their time in Australia.
