by Karlo Jelincic
A BRIMBANK College student is about to set off on a four-week cultural program in China after receiving a scholarship.
Nathan Smith, 15, of St Albans is one of 10 students selected for the Australia-China Council’s ‘China Experience Program’.
Nathan heard about the scholarship through his Chinese teacher Shin Tang, who encouraged him to apply.
“I got to the interview stage and I didn’t think I did that well. But I got it,” he said.
Hundreds of students across the country competed for the 10 spots in the program, which is now in its fourth year.
Nathan will be heading to the Chinese city of Dalian, staying with a Chinese family and attending a Chinese school for two weeks.
“I’m hoping to learn about China’s involvement with Australia. And learn about the culture and language,” he said.
For the final two weeks Nathan and the other scholarship recipients will go sightseeing in China, visiting cultural sites in Beijing and Shanghai.
Nathan said he was prepared for the challenges of a different language and culture.
“I’m just rapt, not nervous about it”, he said.
“I’ll do great, my Chinese is perfect. In Chinese class I get straight As.”
Nathan leaves for China on 28 December and will arrive back homeon 25 January.
