Yanan Shi, a former student from China, has completed a Certificate IV in hospitality. She likes skateboarding and dancing.

What course did you study?
Certificate IV in Hospitality.

Where are you from?
China.

What are the main differences between your home city and Darwin?
The main difference between my home city which is Shenzhen and Darwin is that Shenzhen is a big city and Darwin is a very quiet place, very laid back.

Have you ever lived away from home before your study in Darwin?
No. This is my first time away from home and my family.

What did you miss most from home during your study?
Friends, family and food.

What activities did you do outside of school?
Skateboarding and dancing during my free time.

What friends have you made since moving to Darwin?
I have made a lot of friends from my workplace and college.

What is your favourite thing about living in Darwin?
The peaceful life.

Did you have any hospitality work experience before starting with ICAE? If yes, how has the curriculum at ICAE helped expand on this?
No. That was my first time studying and working in the hospitality industry.

Did you work while you were studying at ICAE?
Yes, I worked at Crustaceans. It’s located at Darwin Wharf with a nice view of the sea and sunset.

What is the most interesting and enjoyable part of working in the hospitality industry?
The most interesting part of working in the hospitality industry is that I have learned new things like making good coffee, good cocktails and more.

What was your favourite part of the course?
Making the cocktails and doing some practical assessments and getting involved with the events.

What advice would you give future students?
My advice to future students is to always work hard.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people would know?
Most people think that I’m very quiet but I am really an outgoing person. And I love to eat.
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Tell us about a funny experience or story that happened during your arrival or since you have been in Darwin?
It was in the middle of the night, my friends and I were on our way home, and we passed through this gallery and we wanted to take a photo in front of it. We laughed too loud and we woke the owner up. Then he invited us to have a look inside the gallery and offered us drinks and we ended up being good friends.