Michelle Mei Wan Kong

Country: Malaysia
Degree: Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance - Piano)
School: Elder Conservatorium of Music
Scholarship: Adelaide Outstanding Achiever Scholarship International

Why did you choose Adelaide?
"Because the jazz course here is very established compared to the other ones I looked at. I also applied to Christchurch but that is a much newer course."

Did you know anything about Adelaide?
"Not much. I knew that they had nice buildings here and I had a friend here."

What do you like about the University?
"I love the architecture of the buildings - they are what I used to imagine a university would be like when I was little. I have been to Melbourne and Sydney Uni but I like this campus because it's all together in the city."

What do you like about the music degree?
"I enjoy every single course. We are expected to attend every class in jazz which means that we are very occupied all the time. This makes the experience more intense and I like this because I don't waste my time. I feel as if I am getting good value for my fees. We get filled up with classes and performances. Other students seem to have more free time but I like having more commitments."

Has any one lecturer really inspired you and why?
"Yes, all the piano lecturers have been inspiring - Chris Martin, Dave McEvoy and Mark Ferguson. They can not only play really well, they can also teach in a very systematic and organised way. I’ve learnt so much about teaching from them. They can also communicate well which is really important."

all the piano lecturers have been inspiring. They can not only play really well, they can also teach in a very systematic and organised way. I've learnt so much about teaching from them.

Michelle Mei Wan Kong

Living in Adelaide
"I like it because it's not a very busy city so it's really good for study. Transport is very convenient. In Melbourne and Sydney, it's harder to get from one place to another."

"These have been the best five years of my life. Other than studying, I work part time in a restaurant, I also teach part time and am quite involved with the church."

What do you hope to do when you graduate?
"I would like to be a music teacher."

How is studying in Australia different to studying in Malaysia?
"I get to experience a different culture and a different lifestyle."