Ryas, originally from Mongolia, has moved to Perth to study the culinary arts at TIWA. Here's his story.
What were you doing before moving to Perth as an international student?
My name is Ryas, I’m 19 years old, and from Mongolia. I arrived in Australia in July of 2024. It was pretty hard for me to get used to this new location, especially because I am a very introverted and shy person. However, I have learnt to adapt and become more confident. Before arriving in Perth, I was trained in a different field as I studied and worked as a hairdresser.
What are the best things about your course?
I am currently studying the SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Bentley campus. In this course, I like most of all that I have the opportunity to make new acquaintances, gain knowledge in practical skills, and also in theory. I believe that real knowledge and skills are obtained with the maximum practice and minimum theory, with a ratio of about 70/30. And here it is, about four hours for theory, and 16 hours for practical lessons on campus which I think is great!
What do you enjoy most about your lecturers and their teaching style?
I have three different lecturers, and each of them teaches their own cooking style. One is young although he has been cooking for 20 years, the second is older, and the third chef is French. Delving into their cooking style, I understand that one teacher shows how it was before, and how different dishes were prepared in the 20th century, and the other teacher shows a more modern style. I think that all of their cooking styles are good, and I believe that after studying this way, we ourselves develop our own hybrid style of their unique cooking styles.
What career path are you planning to pursue after completing your studies at TAFE?
After I complete the SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, I will use this qualification to look for a job. However I also plan to study the SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management and SIT50422 Diploma of Hospitality Management so that I can learn the management skills required to work in the restaurant business.
What are the best things about Perth as an international student?
I have been living in Perth for five months now. For me, some things are much more developed here than back home. For example, the bus system, with each bus running on schedule. When shopping you can Google any product very easily and the price tag and place to buy it will be is shown. There is no such thing in my hometown, if I want to buy something, I have to go to the market to ask others where is it for sale. Also here are almost no traffic jams in the city centre, and even if there are, they are minor, so I feel it's a wonderful place.
Do you have any advice for students who are considering studying a course similar to yours at TAFE?
I would recommend this course if you don't know how to cook at all. The lecturers teach theory and practice here, and I have found although most of my classmates have never cooked in their lives, with training they are quickly learning how to use kitchen tools and equipment to cook delicious food. But still, the cooking industry is very difficult, and it's not suitable for everyone, because you have to stand in the kitchen for five to 10 hours doing everything you can do, and not always cooking or cutting. But if you're keen on this career then I can recommend this course!