"One of the benefits of studying with TAFE NSW is that the education system is technical and career oriented. My TAFE teachers were always there for me and they are very good at their job. I think that the environment and the way in which you are taught impacts on your studies."

Marie-Florence Bonarien, Mauritius

Meet Our Students

Rie Katayama - Japan
Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology

"My teachers are very patient. They don’t mind explaining things more than once to the students with limited English, or pausing the class to answer questions."

When her friend first told her about TAFE NSW, Rie Katayama was studying naturopathy. Rie’s true passion, however, was fashion design.

Rie quickly chose to enrol and is now pursuing a Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology at TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute, Ultimo College.

TAFE NSW is the largest education and training provider in Australia and offers over 1,200 practical, work-oriented training courses in over 130 campus locations in Sydney and New South Wales. TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute has seven campus locations in Sydney’s metropolitan area and every year more than 2,000 international students from over 65 countries choose to study here.

Ultimo College, where Rie studies a few days a week, has the largest English Language Centre in TAFE NSW. It is also located in Sydney’s centre, very near to Australia’s famous tourist attractions like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Chinatown, and Bondi Beach. Rie and other students studying at TAFE NSW are taught by award-winning teachers with years of practical work experience. Rie is very pleased with her teachers, as well as the facilities available to her on campus.

“My teachers are very patient and always help me when I’m confused. They don’t mind explaining things more than once to me or other students with limited English. The study style here is also very different from what I’m used to in Japan. They don’t mind pausing class to answer questions,” she said. “I also love the campus. The outside architecture of the buildings is beautiful. The library is also great. I can always find whatever I need.”

Rie also appreciates the opportunity to meet people from so many different cultures.

“This campus is home to people from all over the world,” she said. “I’m lucky to have made friends from a lot of different areas, including Japan, Korea, and China.”

Rie hopes to remain in Australia and find a job in fashion after completing her course.

> Download Rie Katayama's profile (PDF 210kb)

> Find out more about TAFE NSW courses
> Find out more about TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute

> Meet more students