Alumni Stories
GRADS 2026: Georgia Biggs
Before March of this year, Georgia Biggs had never been overseas. In fact, she had only recently applied for a passport – but that was no barrier to completing her Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies degree at the University of Canberra.
The double-degree student graduated on Tuesday as the recipient of the prestigious Tom Calma Medal, awarded to an outstanding Indigenous student at UC.
Georgia’s journey has been inspired on two fronts.
Her godmother is a lifelong traveller, who sent postcards from all corners of the world.
“I kept every single one,” Georgia says. Recently, she sent one back – sharing the news of her move to Korea.
Her other inspiration is film, which played an important role in shaping Georgia’s interest in South Korea. The country’s cinema – known for its political storytelling and emotional depth – sparked her curiosity about the cultural and creative industries.
That interest eventually became the foundation for her next academic step. Now based in Seoul as a recipient of this year’s New Colombo Plan Scholarship, Georgia is undertaking her Creative Writing Honours research at Chung-Ang University, combining research, language study and cultural immersion.
“I’ve always been drawn to the Korean film and television industry,” she explains. “It’s politically engaged, emotionally honest, and still deeply passionate about making meaningful work.”
One film in particular left a lasting impression: Memories of Murder (2004), from acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho, who later gained global recognition – and three Academy Awards – with Parasite (2019).
Based on real-life murders in South Korea during the late 1980s, the film follows detectives investigating the country’s first known serial killings; it has become a landmark of Korean cinema.
“It’s hard to watch that film and not want to make films yourself,” Georgia says. “It shows a side of Korea that people don’t always see or want to confront.”
Her long-term ambition is to work in the screen sector and help strengthen creative links between Australia and South Korea – exploring how two distinct film cultures can learn from one another.
“Australia can sometimes be quite laid-back creatively,” she says. “Korean cinema feels more urgent. I’d love to help bridge that gap.”
Georgia became the first person in her family to travel abroad when she moved to Seoul in March. She will stay until December, to complete her Honours research and learn Korean, while continuing some UC coursework online. She hopes to undertake an internship with a production company while overseas, although she knows language will be a challenge.
“I don’t speak Korean yet,” she says. “That’s definitely something I’m nervous about.”
Alongside her studies, Georgia plans to join a film club, return to judo after several years away, and she packed an Australian children’s book in preparation for a language exchange with a Korean student.
“Although I’m a bit worried I’ll pass on my Australian accent,” she jokes.
She is also excited to experience a Northern winter in South Korea.
“I actually saw snow once when I was a child – there’s even a photo of me with it in a newspaper,” she says.
Academically, Georgia hopes to graduate with First Class Honours and gain conversational fluency in Korean. Personally, she expects the experience to push her well beyond her comfort zone.
“Everything will be new – the language, the systems, the culture,” she says. “That’s where growth happens.”
Georgia previously spent three years as an intern at SBS and sees her time in Seoul as a valuable step toward a future career in film and television.
“I don’t know exactly what comes next,” she says. “But I know this experience will shape it.
“I hope I can live a life that’s curious and open.”
Georgia is particularly passionate about encouraging more Indigenous students to consider overseas study, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
“There can be fear around places that feel unfamiliar,” she says. “But difference is where learning happens.”
She hopes her experience will encourage others to see international study as both achievable and worthwhile.
“Being the first in my family to go overseas and having the chance to pursue something I care deeply about is an opportunity that will shape my life,” she says.
And for other UC students considering applying?
“Start early,” she says. “Reach out to people. It can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
Words by Jonathan Le Bourhis, photos by Tyler Cherry.
Congratulations to all our graduates this March and welcome to the UC alumni community!
Behind each testamur lies a story of aspirations, inspiration, sacrifice and hard work – and our graduates have risen to meet every challenge with spirit, heart, creativity and courage.
We couldn’t be prouder of what they have achieved and the people they are today.
They now embark on a new chapter with the skills and knowledge gained, and the values embedded from their years of study and practice at UC.
Wherever they carve out their paths, we look forward to seeing what they’ll do next on a journey of lifelong learning.