A Passion for Swimming That Won National Gold
Min: a national gold medallist who studied at John Paul College
A friend told Min about Queensland and about John Paul College. He arrived from South Korea in 2019, worried about his English. By the time he left, he had won a national gold medal and was aiming for an Olympic team. This is his story, in his own words.
- Arrived 2019
- National Gold Medallist
- Queensland Champion
- Olympic Hopeful
Gold
2032
Swimming That Started With His Sister
Min’s swimming began at home. His older sister took up the sport to stay healthy, and he followed her into the pool.
Soon he had a goal of his own in the sport. When he was choosing a country to study in, he already knew he would keep swimming wherever he went. Min describes himself as “a swimmer who has always dreamed of making the national Olympic team”. Steady training with the elite swim squad at John Paul College led to a national gold medal.
“My sister started swimming for her health, but I liked her so much that I wanted to do everything she did. So I naturally started swimming too.”
수영은 누나가 건강을 위해 시작했는데, 저는 누나를 좋아해서 뭐든 따라 하고 싶었어요. 그래서 자연스럽게 수영을 시작하게 됐어요.
Small classes · support built in
A Friend’s Recommendation and Two Good Reasons
Min’s family were comparing cities to study in when a friend recommended Queensland, and John Paul College in particular. Two things made the decision: the College welcomed international students, and it ranked highly among Queensland schools.
“We were exploring cities to study in, and then one of my friends recommended Queensland — and especially John Paul College. They accepted international students, and they were also high in the school rankings.”
Min · on how he found JPC
Min’s biggest worry before he came was his English.
“The worries I had before I came was my limited English skills. But when I joined John Paul College, they helped me build my foundations.”
Min · on arriving with limited English
Like every international student here, he built those foundations in small classes, with teachers who knew he was training before dawn.
“At first I was really nervous. But when I saw how my school supported me, I thought — Australia is good, and my school is good.”
Min · on settling in (translated from Korean)
The Classroom That Travelled to Every Race
A serious swimmer is not at school every day. Min was often away racing, and for most students that is when grades start to slip. Athlete families worry about it more than anything else.
That did not happen to Min. He says the online courses were what he loved most about John Paul College, because he could catch up on missed lessons from wherever he was racing.
“The thing I love about John Paul College is the online courses they give me — because I’m usually away due to swimming races. But when I’m away, I can go to my online courses and catch up the lessons I missed.”
Min · on studying between races
When he was not racing, his day started in the pool at 6:30am, and he trained again in the afternoon. His coach guided his strength work and nutrition as well as his stroke. Min kept study and swimming apart with a simple rule.
“When I’m at school, I focus on my study. When I’m swimming, I focus on swimming.”
Min · on giving each one his full attention
Online Courses
Miss a week for a meet and catch up on the lessons from anywhere.
Elite Squad
Coach-led swim sessions from 6:30am, plus strength training and nutrition guidance.
One Focus at a Time
Study at school, swim at the pool, and give each one his full attention.
Weekend Extra Study
Extra help on weekends when a subject is hard.
The Day the Work Paid Off
Min’s best memory of Queensland is a race: the one where he won his first national gold medal.
His Results
- National Gold His first national gold medal
- 2 × Gold Queensland Championships
- 1 × Silver Queensland Championships
His Signature Event
- Breaststroke
“It was very special to me, because I trained very hard — and the dedication I had will just stay with me.”
“Wherever You Go, There’s Something Special”
Min came to Queensland to swim, and he enjoyed life outside the pool too: the weather, the beaches, the open country and an outdoor way of living that suits an athlete.
The Weather
“The weather here is just absolutely beautiful.” In Queensland, outdoor sport runs almost all year.
Beaches & Open Country
Min enjoyed it all, “whether it’s the beach city or any rural areas”. The coast and the countryside are both an easy trip from Brisbane.
Outdoors, Always
Min names “swimming, surfing or barbecues”, which is an ordinary weekend in Queensland.
Why It Mattered
For a student living far from family, feeling at home makes the years of study easier.
Watch Min’s Story
In this film for Study Queensland, Min explains why he chose Brisbane and John Paul College, what worried him before he came, and where he wants swimming to take him next.
Choose your language
One Step at a Time, Toward His Goal
From a nervous first day in 2019 to a national gold medal and the end of his studies, each stage made Min a more disciplined athlete. Now he is training for an Olympic team.
“Hopefully make the Olympic team for 2028 LA and 2032 Brisbane.”
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2019
Arrives From Korea
A friend’s recommendation brings him to Brisbane and to JPC.
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First Year
Builds His English
Arrives worried about his English; the College helps him build his foundations.
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Elite Squad
Joins the Swim Squad
Early-morning training, plus strength and nutrition coaching for competition.
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Racing Years
Studies On the Road
Away at meets, he catches up on missed lessons through his online courses.
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Podium
Gold, State and National
Two gold medals and a silver in Queensland, then his first national gold.
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Next
LA 2028. Brisbane 2032.
Finishes his studies, swims full-time and trains for an Olympic team.
It was very special to me, because I trained very hard — and the dedication I had will just stay with me.
Min, on winning his first national gold medal
Min · South Korea · former John Paul College student
Serious About Sport. Serious About School.
Min trained before dawn, raced interstate and still finished his studies, because his online courses went with him. If your child competes at that level, this is how John Paul College supports them.