How Carly balanced engineering and elite basketball in Australia
Through basketball, Carly has represented Federation University at competitions across Australia, giving him opportunities to travel, compete and build lasting friendships.
Most students move overseas with a single goal.
For Carly, leaving home meant trying to build two futures at once.
One was becoming a civil engineer. The other was continuing the basketball career that had already taken him overseas and shaped much of his life.
Finding a university that could support both ambitions wasn't easy. He wanted a degree that would lead to real career opportunities, practical experience that would prepare him for industry and financial support that would make studying overseas possible. Just as importantly, he hoped to find somewhere he could continue competing at a high level in the sport he loved.
That search led him to Federation University's Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours).
Now based primarily at the Mt Helen Campus, Carly says choosing Federation wasn't simply about the course itself. It was about finding a university where every part of his future could move forward together.
"I was mainly looking at a university that could help me through my career, help me gain real-world exposure and help me financially as well through my sports career," he says.
Finding a university that believed in both ambitions
Before arriving in Australia, Carly spent time researching universities from overseas.
He knew he wanted to study engineering, but he also wasn't ready to give up basketball. Rather than treating those goals as separate, he looked for a university that recognised they could complement each other.
As he explored his options, Federation University stood out because of its engineering program, basketball opportunities and willingness to support students from the moment they made contact.
"I reached out to them while I was overseas and they got back to me. They were very helpful," he says.
That early support gave him confidence that he would be welcomed long before he stepped onto campus.
When he eventually arrived in Ballarat, that positive first impression continued.
The university's basketball program allowed him to keep competing while settling into life in Australia, helping him establish friendships, maintain balance and feel connected to campus from the beginning.
Financial support also played an important role.
Receiving an international student scholarship, along with support through the university's elite basketball program, helped ease some of the financial pressure that many students experience when studying overseas.
Learning engineering by doing it
For Carly, one of the biggest differences between studying engineering and preparing for an engineering career has been the opportunity to gain industry experience before graduating.
Like many prospective students, he wanted more than lectures and assignments. He wanted to know that the skills he was developing in the classroom would translate into real engineering work.
That's exactly what he found through Federation University's Co-operative Education (Co-op) Model.
Rather than waiting until graduation to experience the workplace, Carly has been able to apply what he's learning while still studying, building confidence through hands-on industry experience on real engineering projects.
"Whatever you learn at university, you have the opportunity to work in the industry where you're basically applying what you learn at uni," he says.
"For example, what I learn at uni, I'm literally doing it at work at the moment."
That connection between theory and practice has reinforced why he believes his Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) has been worth the investment.
He describes the course as one that continually prepares students for life after university, not only through industry placements but also through the personalised learning environment.
Unlike large lecture theatres where students can easily become another face in the crowd, Carly has appreciated studying in smaller classes where lecturers have time to answer questions and provide individual guidance.
"If you have an issue with some classes, you've got the opportunity to have a private meeting with your lecturer," he says.
"The classes are very close. It's not like a big class where you have 100 students. The teachers can focus on you if you have questions."
As an Honours student, he's also looking ahead to completing a major research project with academic supervision, another opportunity to deepen his technical knowledge before entering the profession.
The combination of accessible lecturers, practical projects and industry experience has given him confidence that he'll graduate ready to contribute to his first engineering role.
Just as importantly, Co-op has removed one of the biggest uncertainties many graduates face.
Instead of finishing university and wondering what it's like to work in the industry, Carly already knows.
"You're working on real-world projects," he says.
"So when you finish your study, you don't get stuck because while you're studying, you've already had real-world experience."
The placement is also paid, allowing students to earn an income while gaining professional experience.
For Carly, that financial support has made a practical difference, helping him continue building his career without having to choose between earning money and gaining valuable industry experience.
"So while you're studying and doing your placement, you're getting paid as well," he says.
"You're learning and you get a bit of finance as well, which is really good."
Building confidence beyond the classroom
Moving to Australia meant more than adjusting to a new university.
For Carly, it meant adapting to a different country, studying in another language and building a life from scratch.
When he first arrived, confidence didn't come naturally.
Before beginning his Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours), he completed and English language pathway to strengthen his communication skills and prepare for university life. Looking back, he says that experience helped him find his voice, not just in the classroom but in everyday life.
"I wasn't that confident when I came to Australia," he says.
"The English classes helped me become more confident."
That confidence continued to grow throughout his degree.
Engineering projects encouraged him to share ideas with classmates, while supportive lecturers created an environment where asking questions was encouraged rather than avoided. Over time, speaking up in class and collaborating with others became much easier.
The support extended well beyond academics.
Balancing university with representative basketball often meant travelling for competitions while managing assignments and deadlines. Rather than forcing him to choose between his studies and his commitment to the university team, staff worked with him to make both possible.
"Sometimes university can be busy and sports at the same time," Carly says.
"If I have to play for the university, they'll help me with an extension so I can submit my assignment."
That flexibility allowed him to continue competing without falling behind in his studies, making it possible to pursue both ambitions at once.
Support also came when he began looking for work.
Like many international students, Carly found that writing an Australian-style resume was unfamiliar. Despite wanting to work, he struggled to secure interviews.
Instead of navigating it alone, he booked an appointment with the university's careers team.
"They helped me work through my resume," he says.
"At the end of the day, I had a job."
For Carly, it was another reminder that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. It's often the quickest path to moving forward.
Finding a community away from home
While engineering and basketball brought him to Federation University, it was the people who made Ballarat feel like home.
Living on campus introduced Carly to students from around the world, creating friendships that extended well beyond the classroom.
"One of the highlights has been the community at Federation University," he says.
"I met a lot of people from different backgrounds."
Life on campus quickly filled with social events, networking opportunities and university activities that helped him settle into Australia and connect with students who were experiencing many of the same challenges.
Basketball added another dimension to that experience.
Representing Federation University has taken Carly across Australia for competitions, giving him opportunities to travel, compete and build friendships that he never expected when he first applied from overseas.
Away from campus, Ballarat has offered something equally valuable.
After the pace of international travel and competitive sport, Carly appreciates living somewhere that feels safe, welcoming and easy to navigate.
He describes the city as peaceful without feeling isolated, giving students plenty to do while still providing the quieter lifestyle many people are looking for.
"It's a beautiful city," he says.
"There's a lot of things to do, but it's also pretty quiet for students. It's a peaceful and safe community where you feel safe being around."
Looking back on everything he's experienced, Carly has one piece of advice for future international students considering Australia.
Be confident.
Ask questions.
And whenever you need support, use it.
"At Federation University we have a lot of services available for you," he says.
"If you have any questions or anything related, ask."
Explore Civil Engineering
Choosing a university is about finding a place where you can grow in every part of your life. For Carly, that meant combining a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) with paid industry experience, personalised support and the opportunity to continue competing in elite basketball. If you're looking for an engineering degree that helps you build practical skills, gain real workplace experience and prepare for your future career, explore the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) at Federation University and discover where it could take you.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Carly, the biggest value came from gaining practical experience while completing his degree. Through Federation University's Co-operative Education (Co-op) program, he has been able to apply what he learns in class to real engineering projects before graduating. Combined with small class sizes, personalised support from lecturers and an Honours research project, he believes the degree has prepared him for a successful engineering career while giving him confidence in the workplace.
The Co-op program gives engineering students the opportunity to work in industry while they study, applying classroom knowledge to real projects. Carly says this has helped him understand how engineering works in practice and has made him feel career ready before graduation. Rather than waiting until the end of his degree for workplace experience, he has already developed practical skills that employers value. His placement is also paid, allowing him to earn an income while gaining professional experience.
Carly's experience shows that Co-op placements can provide paid industry experience while students complete their studies. He says earning a wage while working in engineering has helped relieve some of the financial pressure of studying overseas, while also allowing him to develop valuable professional skills before graduating. Paid placements mean students can build both their resumes and their confidence at the same time.
Carly believes they can with the right support. Alongside his engineering studies, he has represented Federation University in basketball, travelling interstate for competitions while continuing his degree. When sporting commitments occasionally conflicted with assessment deadlines, university staff worked with him so he could meet both his academic and sporting responsibilities. That flexibility allowed him to continue pursuing both ambitions without compromising either one. Carly's experience is just one example of the opportunities available to students. Find out how you can get involved and make the most of your university experience at Federation University.
Carly accessed support in several ways throughout his studies. Before beginning his degree, he completed English language classes that helped build his confidence. Later, he received assistance from the university's careers team to improve his resume, which helped him secure employment. He also says lecturers were approachable and available for one-on-one meetings whenever he needed extra academic support.
Carly describes Ballarat as a peaceful, welcoming city that offers students a comfortable place to live while studying. He enjoys that it has plenty to do without feeling overcrowded and says he has always felt safe living and studying there. Living on campus also helped him build friendships with students from different countries, making it easier to settle into life in Australia.
Carly's experience demonstrates that students can gain valuable work experience while studying through Co-op placements. He has been able to work on real engineering projects that relate directly to what he learns in class, helping him build industry experience before graduation. Receiving a scholarship and paid placement also helped reduce financial pressure while completing his degree.
Carly encourages future students to make the most of the opportunities available to them. His advice is to be confident, ask questions whenever you need help and take advantage of the support services available throughout your studies. Looking back, he believes asking for support when he needed it helped him grow in confidence, settle into Australia and make the most of both his engineering degree and his university experience.