Studying business in Chile

She was selected to represent GOTAFE and was awarded the Lopez-Lochert Scholarship established to foster Australian-Chilean relationships.

Through this expedition she studied with Chilean business students and experienced the local culture.

‘‘I applied for this amazing scholarship opportunity because I was well supported by my teachers here at GOTAFE and through my family as well,’’ Stephanie said.

‘‘I had always wanted to study abroad for years but was always too scared or didn’t have the funds when they were needed.

‘‘GOTAFE made it very simple for me to go with only having to pay $500 towards the trip, less than half of the total cost.’’

The tour had everything from Chilean barbecues to Chilean business owners.

‘‘On the trip, I got to experience some extraordinary culture through food, barbecues, walking tours and classes designed from a Chilean timetable and structure,’’ she said.

‘‘We studied with Chilean students who had a genuine interest in business in Latin America and, similar to me, had a passion to start a career in business.

‘‘We attended classes that taught us a broad and in-depth amount of knowledge about businesses, business plans and how Chilean companies import and export trade to and from major countries in the world, much like Australia.

‘‘We communicated with Chilean business owners to create and structure a mock business plan for them and got a serious sense for what it takes to financially run and physically manage a business in any Latin American country.’’

This experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Stephanie and she strongly recommends any student take on similar opportunities.

‘‘This tour was beneficial in many ways, including great friendships created with not only the other TAFE students but the students who attended our classes with us,’’ she said.

‘‘Study tours like this one and many others give an opportunity to network with a huge circle of people in different areas of life.’’