From Ho Chi Minh City to the Courtroom
The journey of Jessica Le — fluent in three languages, now a practising lawyer
Jessica arrived in Brisbane in 2016 as a shy international student with a dream of studying overseas. She left fluent in Chinese, English and Vietnamese — and went on to graduate Law at QUT. This is her story, told in her own words, in three languages.
- Fluent in 3 Languages
- Law Graduate · QUT
- Practising Lawyer
- Student Council Leader
“I Always Wanted to Study Overseas”
Growing up in Ho Chi Minh City, Jessica looked at schools in America, England and Sydney — but, on the word of her brother and friends, she chose John Paul College. In April 2016 she landed in Brisbane to meet her homestay family and begin an entirely new life.
Her first ten weeks were an English preparation course — Maths, Science and English — before she transferred into the main College in Year 8. She feared it would be harder, and that she wouldn’t make friends. “I shouldn’t have worried. The students are very friendly, and my teachers are fantastic.” What struck her most was how she learned — not memorising facts, but working collaboratively to plan, design and problem-solve.
“Jessica came to us with a good level of English. I remember her being quite shy — but she quickly made friends.”
Her English Preparation teacher
From Shy Newcomer to Confident Leader
Encouraged by her teachers, Jessica was elected to the Middle School Student Council as a member of the Unity Committee — a role that transformed her confidence and her sense of belonging at the College.
“When I first met Jessica she was quiet, but willing to get involved. I was so impressed with how she related to her peers that I recommended her for a leadership position on the Student Council — a role that has contributed to her incredible growth in confidence. She is a much-valued member of our school.” — Her Student Council coordinator
2nd in Queensland
Placed second in a Chinese-speaking competition for the whole of Queensland.
Cum Laude Award
Recognised with an academic Cum Laude Award for her semester results.
Student Council
Elected to the Middle School Student Council — Unity Committee.
Four things Jessica loved about JPC
- The environment — “so much space, and everyone helps you”
- The facilities — especially the science building
- The teachers
- Her friends
Beyond the classroom, Jessica took up the piano, tennis and learning to swim — because at John Paul College, students are respected for their achievements in sport and the arts as much as for their academic success.
Fluent in Three Languages
Jessica arrived speaking Vietnamese, learned English at John Paul College, and mastered Mandarin Chinese along the way — placing second in the state. Today she moves effortlessly between all three.
Vietnamese
Tiếng Việt
Her mother tongue — from Ho Chi Minh City.
English
English
Learned at JPC — now the language she practises law in.
Chinese
中文
A favourite subject — and a state-level competition finalist.
Watch Jessica’s Story
The College told Jessica’s story on film in all three of her languages. Choose a language to watch.
Now playing: Jessica’s story in English
“The way I learn in Australia is very different to Vietnam. Here, the teachers help me understand — rather than teaching me facts to remember for exams.”
Her Learning Journey
Follow the arc — from a shy new arrival in Brisbane to a trilingual lawyer. It is the study journey we hope for every international student who joins John Paul College.
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2016
Arrives in Brisbane
Lands from Ho Chi Minh City, meets her homestay family and begins the English preparation course.
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Year 8
Into the Main College
Transfers into John Paul College and thrives in a collaborative classroom.
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Leadership
Student Council
Elected to the Unity Committee — and places 2nd in Queensland for Chinese speaking.
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University
Bachelor of Laws
Graduates in Law at QUT — fluent now in Chinese, English and Vietnamese.
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Today
Practising Lawyer
The ambition she set as a student — realised.
The Ambition, Realised
At the end of her JPC video, a Year 9 Jessica set herself a goal: “I’m fluent in three languages, and I’m on track to realise my ambition of studying at university to become a lawyer.”
She did exactly that. Jessica went on to graduate in Law at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) — and today she is a practising lawyer, putting the confidence, English and academic foundation she built at John Paul College to work every day.
From a shy newcomer who worried about making friends, to a trilingual lawyer — Jessica’s journey is proof of just how far a JPC education can take an international student.
“I’ve come a long way since I first started at John Paul College.”
I’ve come a long way since I first started at John Paul College. I’m confident, with friends of all ages and nationalities — fluent in three languages, and living the ambition I set as a student.
Jessica Le · Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam · Law Graduate, QUT
Every JPC Story Starts in the Same Place
Jessica began in a Brisbane classroom, just like every international student who joins us. Explore more graduate journeys — or begin your own.