By Michelle Mills, QUT Journalism Student
Dutch student, Tila van Gelein Vitringa, has embraced Australian culture and made the most of her stay ‘down under’.
Tila has learnt the national anthem and become a fan of Aussie Rules football, the State of Origin and of course, the traditional weekend ‘barbie’.
But she has also taken a keen interest in an iconic Aussie institution, the Returned & Services League (R&SL), who advocate the well-being and commemoration of Australian Defence Force members and their dependants.
The R&SL (Queensland Branch) were the basis for her Master of Business project, and her report has now become a finalist for the Institute of Management Consultants’ Prize.
Earlier she had been given the opportunity to use a case study, or study an organisation in Holland, but she preferred to work with an Australian organisation.
“The R&SL are very Aussie. They are a close community and are part of Australia’s history and military heritage, and they do wonderful work,” she said.
“When I tell people back in Holland about R&SL they don’t know what it is, because we don’t have one there.”
Her project received a high distinction and was nominated by her lecturer Bob Thompson for consideration in the Institute of Management Consultants Prize.
Tila recently graduated from her Master of Business, majoring in Human Resources, and is now pursuing a Master of Business Advanced, majoring in International Business.
She was also featured in the Human Capital Magazine, an Australian magazine dedicated to human resource professionals.
When Tila is not studying, she enjoys an active social life with her Aussie friends, and making the most of Brisbane’s warm climate with varied sporting activities.
“I truly believe that if you go to a country like Australia that you shouldn’t cling to foreigners…you may as well spend your time with Aussies,” she said.
“I play tennis, field hockey, enjoy running. I do not have a car and bike everywhere; biking is very common in Holland and we use the bike as a common way of transport.”
She is also a keen and committed member of the Rotary Club of Brisbane High-Rise. Tila’s Club has a long term and close relationship with the Albert Park Flexi-School which is one of the many community projects the Club is involved with.
Tila’s experience shows that with an open and engaging attitude, international students can experience the local lifestyle and get a deep and rewarding understanding of Australian culture.
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