Saeid (Sid) Moradi arrived in Coffs Harbour on his birthday in March this year. He is completing a Bachelor of Information Technology after completing the first two years of his course in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

I had the opportunity to continue my study in Australia and Southern Cross University was one of the options. I just had a good feeling about Australia and I think I made the right decision.

I arrived on the 11th of March which was my birthday. For two years I had been thinking about that moment and when I arrived I really felt I had achieved one of my goals. Coming from a big city like Tehran, being in a nice city like Coffs Harbour is also a good feeling.

When I first arrived I was with a home stay family and studying with the English Language Centre to improve my English. Now I am living in share accommodation with other students.

I like some simple things about Coffs Harbour ¿ the bicycle paths and the streets are always clean. The people are very friendly and most of the people smile ¿ that¿s good. I have found it very easy to make friends.

Some people don¿t make the distinction between Iran and Iraq, but they are very different culturally. Iran (formally Persia) has a long history as a great society. I have two brothers and a sister at home and my older brother and sister both went to university in my country.

The environment here for study is much better and there are good facilities. The library is a good environment and the computers are all right up to date. I have another year of study and then I¿d like to go to America if that¿s possible, or maybe a year of work experience before returning home.

Updated: 09 December 2009