Jung Yeoun (Laurie) Choi

Making a career change after many years in one industry is no easy task.

For many, the thought of starting at the bottom of a new field and having to spend years climbing up the ranks again is just too daunting. For others, the idea of returning to a classroom environment as an adult is scary and intimidating. And then there's the financial side of things not only the cost of course fees but also the cost of not earning.

However none of these hurdles were big enough to stop Jung Yeoun Choi (Laurie).

Hailing from Seoul, Korea, Laurie spent seven years working in administrative roles in Korean universities. Although she enjoyed the work, she felt that this field would never provide her with the security she wanted for her future. She decided working in the business or hospitality industries would offer more promise. Laurie also came to the disappointing conclusion that despite her degree in French Education and the skills she'd picked up while living in France, French-speaking jobs in Korea were rare. Improving her English was vital if she wanted to achieve her goals.

"In my case I really feel like this is the last chance to make a change in my career," says Laurie.

"Working in an office will not provide me with security for my future you can be made redundant at any time. I wanted something more professional with more of a future. I'd looked for a career doing something related to French, but in Korea it's difficult because few people speak French. As time passed by I realised that the most important language is English wherever you are in the world."

This is why Laurie bid farewell to family and friends and headed Down Under.

"My agent said that FERN was the best place to study IELTS and I had heard that NZMA has an excellent reputation for hospitality and business courses."

Laurie began studying at FERN last October, starting off in a General English class at Intermediate level. By November she'd moved into the IELTS preparation class, where she remained until she graduated in January.

"FERN is a really good school and I really recommend the IELTS class. The teachers are very good they are really well-organised and very thorough. Even though studying IELTS is very difficult, I really enjoyed it. When I arrived in New Zealand my host mother worried about speaking with me because my English was so poor but after just four to six weeks she told me it was much easier to speak to me. My host father said the same thing. I quickly became more and more confident in my English ability."

Laurie attributes this huge improvement primarily to FERN.

"Every morning in class we had to listen to the news. It was very very difficult but I think it's a good way of improving your English. Students also must speak English at all times at FERN which I think is very helpful."

Now armed with top-notch English language skills, Laurie has embarked on phase two of her studies Down Under. She has just begun her National Diploma in Business at New Zealand Management Academies.

"I've been really excited about this business course. It's a totally new area for me to learn about and will be a real challenge.

"During my diploma studies I'd like to get relevant part-time work and once I graduate I'm hoping to get a job in a hotel or travel agency in New Zealand and even get permanent residency here.

"I'm determined to make this happen. I'm determined to make a positive change for my future."