International student Boyeon (Joy) Yoo’s strong work ethic and determination to succeed in her nursing studies at TAFE SA have earned her a prestigious award from Study Adelaide and a prized job.

Joy (pictured far right), from South Korea, was presented with the Academic Vocational Education and Training Award at Study Adelaide’s annual International Students Awards earlier this month.

The award recognises her academic achievements, alongside her roles as an international student ambassador and aged care volunteer.

Delighted with the award, Joy says she’s really grateful for the opportunity to study the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE SA.

“All my journey at TAFE SA has been amazing. I’m proud of myself because I was quite nervous about studying in English,” she says.

During her five years working in customer service in Korea, Joy was happiest when helping people which inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.

“I thought nursing might be a good fit for my personality and interests, although I wasn’t sure how I would cope with blood and other aspects of hospital care,” she says.

Joy says she’s developed the confidence and skills to work in health care thanks to the support of her TAFE SA lecturers and recalls the satisfaction she felt when first putting her training into practice.

“On placement I remember feeling happy that I could use my knowledge and skills to help a ‘real person’ - that feeling was amazing,” Joy says.

“A great thing about TAFE SA is the high number of face-to-face classes and practical lessons we have, so by the time we get to our placements in industry we’re feeling confident about our skills and I’m so grateful for that.

“I received lots of compliments from the nurses during my placements because of my skills which I learnt at TAFE SA.”

She has built on her experience working as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) at a major hospital for most of the year and now, with her studies complete, Joy has started a new role as an Enrolled Nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

“My job as an AIN was great and I got to work in emergency which was fascinating, but I’m keen to work in the vascular and surgical ward in my new role because I find the patients so inspiring,” she says.

Joy has balanced the demands of study with a role as an international student ambassador for Study Adelaide and TAFE SA, welcoming newly arrived students, supporting orientation activities and participating in networking events for the international student community.

She has also been sharing her experiences with prospective international students online producing popular videos and blogs about studying and living in Adelaide.

“I’m quite shy but I love it when I’m helping others and the ambassador role has really helped me grow personally,” Joy says.

Fellow TAFE SA students Sumira Park from Korea and Patric Cassling from the UK were also recognised for their roles as Study Adelaide ambassadors, receiving certificates at the 2026 Study Adelaide Student Awards.

Pictured above: Study Adelaide Academic Award recipient Joy Yoo (far right) with student ambassador Sumira Park and Katie Tucker, Educational Manager for Nursing at TAFE SA.