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When Camille Haller – originally from Switzerland – decided to pursue a SIT50316 Diploma of Event Management at TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA), she had no idea what was in store.
Eventually, she’d go on to become a finalist for the International Student of the Year Award at South Metropolitan TAFE(opens in a new tab), as well as the Western Australian Training Award(opens in a new tab) for the VET sector.
But these nominations have been just a few of the enriching moments in Camille’s journey as an international student at TIWA. We had the opportunity to speak to Camille about her experience studying at TIWA and her life in Perth.
Here’s what she had to say.
A quest for change
Camille first set foot on Australian soil when she was 24 years old. She came to Perth in 2018 and quickly began building her life here.
“I wanted a change of scenery and applied for a job as an activities coordinator,” she says. “I really enjoyed it.”
Beyond the satisfaction Camille got from her role, working in the position opened up new and unique opportunities to advance her career.
The pursuit of event management at TIWA
After returning to Switzerland, Camille couldn’t resist the pull of Perth and decided to move back to Australia to pursue her interest in events management.
“I already had a career behind me, and I wanted something practical rather than theory-based,” she says.
When it came to choosing a course, Camille liked that the one at TIWA offered hands on experience.
“I chose TAFE as opposed to uni because we had real clients and real-life assignments,” she says. “Each semester, I had two assignments that were related to events that I was actually running, usually related to a charity.”
When asked what stood out about her course, Camille expressed high praise for her lecturers. She found them personable and easy to approach throughout her studies, and says they offered a wealth of knowledge.
“The lecturers are amazing and bring a component of truth to the course. They are industry professionals from different sectors, including hospitality, corporate and non-profit sectors.”
More than a course
For Camille, studying at TAFE proved more than a pathway to excellent employment opportunities.
“It was a way for me to give back to the Australian community,” she says. “You get to do something good while getting a practical test of your knowledge.”
During her course, Camille had the opportunity to organise a gala dinner to raise funds for Lifeline WA.
She also helped plan and organise a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis. A personal highlight from the experience was exceeding the $750 goal for Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia and raising $2500 instead.
And that’s not to mention meeting and working alongside celebrity ambassador for cystic fibrosis, Lyndall Grace.
Living in Perth: a perfect balance
Camille says she really likes Perth, which explains her returning a second time!
“It’s a nice balance between city life and the outdoors,” she says. “Everything is accessible, the buildings are not very tall, and the roads are not too crowded. And you can drive for a few hours and get a completely different view.”
Having her TAFE campus close to public transport and other main attractions made living in Perth a breeze. She was also loved that international students receive a discount on public transport.(opens in a new tab)
From graduation to a fulfilling career
Having recently graduated, Camille has now landed a job in events. Currently, she works as an event coordinator for a non-profit organisation.
Camille affirms that her course components and real-world assessments have equipped her with the skills necessary to excel in the Australian events industry, and even beyond. In June 2023, she remotely organised the 10-year anniversary for an equestrian facility in Switzerland. The event, which hosted over 500 people, was a major success and a testament to her capabilities.
She’s also since discovered a strong sense of fulfilment in seeing clients happy when an event goes well. A big motivation for Camille is being able to make a positive contribution to her environment.
“My main goal is to wake up every day and be happy to go to work.”
That being said, Camille is also candid about the challenges of her role.
“People are expecting to have a good time, so they can get very angry if something goes wrong,” she says.
However, for her, the satisfaction of a successful event far outweighs the challenges.
Advice for aspiring international students
Camille’s advice to aspiring international students is to take the leap without fear.
“Don’t be scared,” she says. “It’s a fairly big jump saying goodbye and going to a country you don’t know. There’s also the financial aspect of it.
“However, it does not matter what you study – having on your resume an international experience is always something that will benefit you. It is an investment in yourself. Get on that plane, and work as hard as you can.”
Get job ready like Camille by chatting to the friendly TIWA team!(opens in a new tab)