From a Shy New Student to College Vice Captain
The journey of Sophia Su — Hong Kong to Brisbane, Class of 2025
Sophia arrived at John Paul College in 2019 with limited English, few friends and a wish that many international students share: simply to belong. Then one local classmate walked over and said hello. Seven years later Sophia left as a College Vice Captain — a flautist, a debater, a hockey player — and went on to The University of Queensland. This is her story, in her own words.
- Joined 2019
- Hong Kong → Brisbane
- College Vice Captain
- UQ — P.P.E.
John Paul College · where Sophia's journey began
“For Me, I’m a Bit Shy”
Sophia grew up in Shenzhen and went to primary school in Hong Kong. When she arrived at John Paul College she was young, new and a little shy. Like many international students, her biggest wish was simple: to make local friends, and to feel that she truly belonged.
Her journey began in 2019. She started in our primary preparation program, spending one term in Year 6 learning English and getting to know the school. From there she moved into mainstream classes and progressed all the way through secondary school to Year 12.
At first, joining in was not easy. “For me, I’m a bit shy,” Sophia says, “so it was difficult to go out and talk with local students.” But she did not give up — and as the years passed, she took part in more and more school activities, her confidence growing with every one.
“As time grew and my confidence grew, I gradually became a member of this community.”
Sophia Su · on finding her feet at JPC
The Moment Everything Changed
Sophia remembers the day she moved up from the International School into the main school. She was new, her English was still growing, and she knew no one.
“I remember standing awkwardly in the class. But then one local girl and her friend walked up to me, introduced themselves, and made friends with me.”
It sounds like a small thing. To Sophia, it was everything — and she is very clear about why.
“She didn’t know me, but she still chose to reach out to me when I needed help. That made me feel really welcome into the community.”
This is what a school’s culture actually looks like from a new student’s desk — not a policy or a program, but a classmate who chooses to walk over.
“These small acts of kindness make me feel really connected to the place. It’s a place with love and kindness.”
Sophia Su · filmed in Year 11 for Study Queensland
Confidence, One Activity at a Time
Sophia tried many co-curricular activities, in both sport and the performing arts. She names them, without hesitation, as the thing that connected her to the school.
“One thing I really like about John Paul College is its co-curricular program — there are a lot of things to pick from. I think it is one of the key things that made me feel connected to this community.”
Sophia Su
She played hockey, joined the debating team, played the flute in the Wind Orchestra and the Marching Band, and performed in the school musical. Step by step, activity by activity, the shy newcomer grew into a confident, connected member of her cohort.
“I have so many local friends now,” she says, “and I feel I really belong.” Looking back, her one regret is not starting sooner: she did little in Years 7 to 9, and says that if she could return, she would join in “100%” more — because, in her words, “it’s very good to hang out with people that share the same passion as you.”
Hockey
Sport as a starting point — a team to belong to before the words came easily.
Flute in the Bands
Wind Orchestra and Marching Band — where playing alongside others became belonging.
The School Musical
Stepping onto the stage — a long way from the quiet new student of 2019.
Debating Team
Learning to find her words — and the confidence to use her voice.
Performing Arts at JPC · bands, musical & ensembles
Where a Shared Passion Became Friendship
For Sophia, music was more than a hobby — it was the bridge to the community she had hoped to join.
In the Wind Orchestra and Marching Band, in rehearsals for the school musical, she found something every newcomer looks for: a group of people working toward the same thing, side by side. The shyness that made conversation hard mattered less when there was a piece to play together.
It is a pattern the College sees again and again with international students: co-curricular activity is one of the fastest paths to real friendship, confidence and belonging.
“I gradually became a member of this community — I really belong.”
“It Showed Me What I’m Capable Of”
Ask Sophia what studying in Queensland actually gave her, and she does not start with results. She starts with who it made her.
“It’s a challenging journey, but I also learned a lot. It really shows myself what I’m capable of — that I can push through my limits and do things I like.” Sophia Su
Living in a New Culture
“By living in a different culture, it teaches me a lot — including how to interact with people, and how to adapt to the environment.”
Solving Things Herself
“My ability to problem-solve, and to independently deal with things, greatly improved.”
A Different Way of Learning
“Under this learning system, I think it really develops our creativity and independent learning skills.”
Ready for What’s Next
“Queensland is preparing us for the real world and our career.”
Chosen as a JPC Vice Captain
Sophia’s growth was recognised in the highest way. She was chosen as a College Vice Captain — a leadership role in which she supported other international students as they moved from the preparation programs into the main school.
How She Led
- Vice Captain A senior College leadership role
- Mentor Supported new international students into the main school
- Role Model A living example of the JPC preparation-to-leadership journey
Her Senior (QCE) Program
- Literature
- Modern History
- Specialist Mathematics
- Mathematical Methods
- Physics
- Chemistry
A demanding academic program across humanities, mathematics and science — chosen, with the College’s guidance, to open the door to university.
“I Choose Brisbane” — Sophia’s Film
Filmed for Study Queensland while Sophia was in Year 11. In under two minutes she describes arriving shy, the classmate who changed everything, and what Queensland taught her.
In this film
- Where she’s fromShenzhen, and primary school in Hong Kong
- Hockey, debating & performing arts“A lot of things to pick from”
- The classmate who said helloThe moment she felt welcome
- What Queensland taught herIndependence, creativity, confidence
Guided, Step by Step, Toward Her Future
As she reached Years 10, 11 and 12, the College guided Sophia carefully toward her future — so her senior subjects matched the degree she wanted, and university felt not just possible, but planned. See how our university pathway planning works
Subject Selection Evenings
Short talks and exhibitions where students and parents meet teachers, ask questions and understand every senior pathway before choosing.
A Dedicated Careers Room
Personal, booked meetings to plan a study journey backwards from the university degree a student is aiming for — exactly the guidance Sophia used.
Politics, Philosophy & Economics
Sophia went on to study PPE (Honours) at The University of Queensland — a path matched to her interests and guided by her teachers every step of the way.
Her Journey to Confidence
From a shy first term in 2019 to a College Vice Captain with a place at The University of Queensland, every step of Sophia’s journey built the confident young woman she is today.
“I have so many local friends now, and I feel I really belong.”
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2019
Arrives from Hong Kong
Joins JPC as a quiet new student, hoping to make local friends and belong.
-
Year 6
Preparation Program
One term learning English, then into mainstream classes at John Paul College.
-
Main School
One Act of Kindness
A local classmate walks over and says hello — and she finally feels welcome.
-
Growing
Co-Curricular
Hockey, debating, flute in the bands and the school musical — confidence grows.
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Senior
College Vice Captain
Chosen to lead — supporting new international students into the main school.
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2025 →
Graduates → UQ
Finishes a demanding QCE program and heads to UQ for PPE (Honours).
Don’t be shy. Try to talk to more people, especially the local students, and take the opportunity to make friends.
Sophia Su · JPC Vice Captain · Class of 2025
Every JPC Story Starts in the Same Place
Sophia began as a shy new student, just like so many international students who join us. Explore more graduate journeys — or begin your own.