PDG Jessie Harman Shares Her Travels

Guest Speaker – PDG Jessie Harman –RC Wendouree Breakfast

(Do Jessie’s qualifications now include “Empress of India” and “Keeper of the Swans”?)

Jessie spoke of her day job – yes she can fit one in!- Director of Partnerships and Commercial Engagement at Federation University, Ballarat. International education is a huge contributor to Australia’s and particularly Victoria’s economy and broadens both our and the student’s vision and experience.

Travel being an important part of Jessie’s role and having been a late starter in the travel field, Jessie had some interesting insights into it.

She told us that “People are more alike than different” and that places and cultures are “Not better – not worse, just different.”

It is important to look further than the chaos and rubbish to find the richness of life and culture beyond. On the other hand “You cannot trust everyone” but “The worst travel experiences often make the best stories.”

Great lines, Jessie!

Thea and I, when challenged by something we find overseas, often say to each other: “That’s what culture is all about … if we wanted it to be the same as home, we would have stayed at home.”

As always, Jessie was an inspiring speaker.