Emma’s student pathway to university
When Emma left China to study in Australia, she hoped to find more than just a good education. Like many international students exploring study options in Australia, she was looking for opportunities, independence and a clear pathway to university and her future career. Emma wanted a school that combined strong academic results with caring teachers, practical learning experiences and a supportive community where she could feel at home while building the confidence to succeed in higher education and beyond.
After completing the Year 11 and Year 12 Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) program at Canning College, Emma successfully progressed to Curtin University, where she is now studying Chemical Engineering. Her journey highlighted how a strong university pathway program can help international students achieve their academic and career goals in Australia.
“Australia is a very multicultural country. It’s very open,” Emma said. “I thought coming here to study might help me achieve my goals and dreams.”
Supportive Teachers Who Care
As an international student adapting to a new education system, Emma found the personalised support particularly valuable. The college’s student-focused approach helped her develop confidence in her academic abilities and English-language communication skills.
“The teachers are very encouraging. They help you learn and speak slowly for you,” she said. “If you have any questions, you can ask them directly.”
Emma described her teachers as approachable, patient and genuinely invested in helping students succeed. Whether students needed academic guidance or extra support adjusting to life in Australia, help was always available.
“Canning College is a place where you can freely share your thoughts. Both teachers and classmates are very welcoming, which makes you feel comfortable and supported.”
Hands-On Learning and Academic Preparation
Having always been interested in chemistry and science, Emma enjoyed the opportunity to apply what she learned in the classroom through practical activities and experiments.
“There are lots of experimental and practical things that you can do. You don’t just learn the theory — you get to try it out yourself,” she said.
These hands-on learning experiences helped Emma develop the practical and analytical skills required for engineering studies, while also building a strong academic foundation for university-level science subjects.
Building a Strong Foundation for University Success
Through the WACE program, Emma developed the academic skills, independent learning habits and study techniques needed to transition successfully to higher education. The program’s focus on critical thinking, practical learning and university preparation gave her the confidence to take the next step into engineering studies.
“University life can be challenging at the beginning. There are lots of labs and seminars,” she said.
Through excursions, campus visits and academic preparation activities, she already had an insight into university life in Western Australia, helping her make informed decisions about her future study pathways.
“Being at Canning College gave me the chance to explore my potential,” she said. “It’s a really good foundation for university life.”
A Welcoming Community for International Students
As a college with a diverse student population, Canning College provides students like Emma with the opportunity to learn alongside students from many different countries and cultures. This multicultural environment helps students settle into life in Australia and develop lifelong friendships.
“I found it quite easy to settle into life at Canning College, and I made many good friends from different countries,” Emma said.
Studying alongside students from around the world helped her form meaningful friendships, broaden her perspectives and feel connected to her new environment.
“They made me feel like home at Canning College,” she said.
Why Emma Loves Living in Perth
Beyond her studies, Emma has enjoyed the lifestyle that makes Perth one of Australia’s most attractive destinations for international students. With a safe environment, convenient public transport and access to beautiful natural landscapes, she finds the city both welcoming and easy to navigate.
“The people here are very friendly and the environment is really nice,” she said.
She especially appreciated Perth’s beautiful parks, natural scenery and convenient public transport network, which made it easy to travel around the city and maintain a balanced student lifestyle.
A Pathway to Future Success
For international students looking to study in Perth, the WACE program at Canning College offers more than academic preparation. With dedicated teachers, practical learning experiences, personalised support and a welcoming multicultural community, students gain the skills, confidence and qualifications needed to succeed at university in Australia.
Whether your goal is engineering, science, business, health sciences or another field, the WACE program at Canning College provides a recognised pathway to leading Australian universities and future career opportunities.
International students looking for a one-year pathway into university may choose the WA Universities’ Foundation Program at Canning College as an alternative to WACE studies.
