ICMS Students Self-Isolate in Serene Style at Q Station Hotel

While there have been no cases of Covid-19 recorded among the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) community, on-campus students who were unable to return home when government imposed strict isolation regulations and closed borders have been accommodated at the beautiful 4.5 star Q Station Hotel in Sydney, NSW.

The historic location is now a luxury venue and tourist destination, just down the hill from ICMS’ Manly campus. The relocation of on-campus students was a temporary preventative measure, and the first cohort of on-campus students will be welcomed back into Moran House and Kelly House on 16 May.

One students, Arzu Taj, had travelled from her home institution, the Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft Ludwigshafen, in Germany to study part of her Master’s at ICMS. 

This was Aruz’s experience, and while the experience of the global Covid-19 pandemic has been surreal for her being far from home, the stay at Q Station was also a time for peaceful internal reflection. She was also still able to continue with her studies as ICMS rolled out online learning that allowed for a seamless continuation of her course despite the closure of campus.

“I’m doing fine so far. I’m trying to make the best of the time,” Arzu said in a published article.

“It’s the perfect time to think about life and get to know yourself better, able to explore your own interests, weaknesses and strengths.”

The shared experiences of fellow international students at Q Station – from countries such as Argentina, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal and South Africa – has served to bond the students together, Arzu said.

While the students may not dine together or have visitors and they must keep their distance from each other – due to Covid-19 government regulations – they are able to enjoy the expansive surroundings of the Q Station, located in a national park surrounded by wildlife, greenery and a private beach with views of the Sydney harbour and the city skyline.

Like many other international students, Arzu is uncertain about when she will return home, but thanks to a special Covid-19 allowances from the Australian government, she can stay in Australia until she finds a flight home. In the meantime, she will use this time to continue to take online courses, do assesments online and finish the semester with a last assesment scheduled for June 19.

ICMS as an institution has consistently assured international students of support through this challenging time.

For any questions related to the ICMS response to Covid-19 please contact [email protected].

For the full interview with Arzu, click here: https://www.hwg-lu.de/hochschule/organisation/hochschulkommunikation/news-pressemitteilungen/artikel/corona-vorbeugung-der-besonderen-art-hwg-lu-studentin-wird-im-auslandssemester-in-australien-in-hist.html

For more information on ICMS, click here: https://www.icms.edu.au/