International stardom
Bachelor of Arts (Language and Linguistics)
Master of International Relations
Harry Harding developed a love for international relations while working as a journalist in China. “I often interviewed diplomats from many different countries, and it was fascinating to get a glimpse into how diplomacy works and the various ways countries interact with each other through that diplomacy,” Harry explains. “I was also exposed to different ways of interpreting and viewing the world.”
That’s when he decided to follow where that passion led and pursue a Master of International Relations at Griffith University. “I thought it would help me better understand why the world is the way it is, why we are sometimes able to work together, and why that can also be a challenge.
“I felt that through my work, I had gained experience in this area, but lacked any foundational theory, and I believed that the degree would help me fill in the blanks—and it did that, and more!”
Harry’s first degree was a Bachelor of Applied Linguistics, also with Griffith. “The bachelor degree I earned at Griffith opened many opportunities for me and launched me into an interesting career in media that lasted more than a decade,” he explains.
The former reporter says that people often think his career in television would be very glamorous or exciting but that is not always the case. “I'm just grateful I don't have to wear thick makeup every day anymore!” he says. Despite this, he does miss the connection he used to have with his viewers. “When I left to return to Australia, I didn't anticipate how much I'd miss getting feedback, whether it was positive or negative, from viewers.”
Interestingly, during his high-profile work in the Chinese media landscape, Harry found time to still let out his creative side. “I'm probably still most proud of releasing music in Chinese that actually made it onto the music charts in China,” he laughs. “It feels like such a long time ago and not something I would probably attempt today. So, I’m proud of myself for taking that risk and having some fun along the way.”
He was even named Most Popular Internet Celebrity in China in 2011. “I was one of the most viewed channels on a Chinese video-sharing website called 56.com. Back then, I would sing covers of popular Chinese pop songs before producing my own music. I guess I was a bit of an influencer for a while before I even knew what that meant!”
Harry says he has very fond memories of that time but is ready to move on to the next chapter in his life. “I am hoping that this additional study at Griffith that I have now done will enable me to achieve similar success in a different area.”
Harry doesn’t know what the future will hold for him, but he’s sure that this extra study will help him reach his career goals. “I hope to move into a field that allows me to utilise my experience working and living abroad and combine it with all that I have learnt studying international relations,” Harry says.
“With the Olympics coming up in Brisbane next decade, I would love to be in a position that would enable me to be involved in that somehow.”
Harry chose to study at Griffith because it aligned with his personal values. “I value diversity and integrity, and those are two highly visible characteristics of Griffith. In the 13 years since I was a student, I've watched from afar as the university has developed and climbed higher in global rankings.
“As a Griffith alumnus, I'm confident that having the university on my resume will only grow in importance. I loved working with fellow students from different parts of the world and learning from lecturers who also had diverse backgrounds,” Harry says. “It was so valuable to hear their perspectives on what we were learning, especially regarding international relations theory.”
Harry said he’s looking forward to what the future holds for him after handing in his final assessments.
“Through my career and studies, I've learnt that misunderstandings and miscommunication can have serious consequences,” he says. “Whatever I end up doing, I hope part of the job will involve working and communicating with diverse communities.
“I think we can make a lot of progress when we're open to learning from each other's strengths and weaknesses, so bridging communication or cultural gaps would bring me a lot of joy.”
Share your story
Have a remarkable story to tell? We’d love to hear about your brilliant career.