Tianyi Hu originally expected to improve her management skills when she came to Australia to study her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with the University of Tasmania's Melbourne Study Centre.
What she wasn’t expecting was that her active involvement in the campus community would lead her to discover entirely new career possibilities.
With previous bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedicine and engineering, Tianyi built her career around international project operations and management. But over time, she realised her interests were shifting.
“I found myself becoming more interested in the management side of my work,” she said. “I wanted to understand it more systematically - not only through experience, but through structured learning.”
When she discovered she could study the University of Tasmania’s MBA (Global) program at the Melbourne Study Centre, it felt like the perfect combination of right course, right location.
“It felt like the perfect moment to explore what I truly wanted to study, in one of Australia’s top cities for international education,” she said.
“I was excited by the opportunity and decided to come to Melbourne to start a new chapter in my studies and career.”
Arriving in a new country and stepping into postgraduate study can be daunting, but as Tianyi started settling into her new uni community, she also started contributing to it.
Drawing on her previous university and career experience, she began contributing ideas and becoming more involved in campus activities.
“Step by step, I became more confident. I joined campus life more actively and realised I could bring value here.”
That mindset led her to join the Student Mentor Program, where she helped new students settle into university life and build connections within the community.
Tianyi’s growing involvement on campus eventually led to an opportunity to do paid work for the university while continuing her studies, in a part-time position as a Student Services Officer.
“Mentoring taught me that leadership is about influencing and empowering others rather than directing them,” she said. “It’s about encouraging students, paying attention to details, and helping them explore their potential.”
“As a staff member, I put what I learn into real practice. Every day, I feel I’m not only learning but also applying what I’ve learned in a meaningful way,” she said.
“When students come to me with questions, I understand the confusion because I’ve been in the same situation. When I solve an issue and realise it will help more students avoid the same confusion, I feel genuinely happy and proud.”
For Tianyi, the MBA Global curriculum connects directly with her work on campus.
“What I learn in the classroom doesn’t stay in theory,” she said. “Marketing helps me think about how we promote activities and communicate with students efficiently. Big data helps me analyse student participation and understand their needs. Accounting supports budgeting and planning. These subjects are slowly becoming part of how I think in my daily work.”
Studying alongside classmates from different countries has also broadened her global perspective.
“This is my second master’s degree, but it feels like an important new stage of growth in Australia. Through studying here and exploring the beautiful landscapes, I’ve had time to reflect on my future and the kind of person I want to become.”
The experience has also opened her eyes to new future possibilities and ways to use her qualifications.
“My time here made me more interested in the education field,” she said. “I want my work to create real value and help me continue to grow.”
Ready to start your own new chapter?
The MBA Global program equips international students with practical business knowledge, cross-cultural confidence, and leadership skills for a rapidly changing world.
Study MBA Global at the University of Tasmania Study Centres and build the skills, connections and experience to shape your global career.