Secretary

Mark Spence

​

I have worked in the university sector for 21  years, 15 years at the University of New South Wales and further 6 years at the University of Wollongong. During this time, I have met so many wonderful people from countries and cultures all over the world. Meeting so many different people has opened my eyes to the circumstances that international students face when they come to Australia. I realised quickly that life for international students in Australia is very different to how I experience life as a born and bred Australian.

 

I have qualifications in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscape Design and Environmental Science. I have been running a successful landscape design and environmental consultancy business in Wollongong for over 20 years.

 

I am reaching a time in life when ‘giving back to society’ is important to me. Life in Australia has been good to me. I want to try and share my local knowledge and experience with others so that they too can experience the best that Australia has to offer.

 

International students are often exploited when it comes to gaining paid work or finding accommodation. Networking with other students is often the only way that new international students can ‘find their way’ in this country. The opportunity to be part of Asian International Students of Australia (AISA) that is focused on helping international students settle into university life and enjoy everything that Australia has to offer was too good for me to refuse.

 

I just had to be part of AISA!