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Strategic defence, security studies, co-editor and the Canberra Youth Orchestra. Liam Brewin-Higgins (2015) shares his passion for music, language, culture and the Korean war.

You graduated from CCGS in 2015, where did you go and what did you do?

After graduating from CCGS, I undertook a Bachelor of International Relations and Arts at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, beginning in 2016. In my second semester, I transferred into the Bachelor of International Security Studies within the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific and I have never looked back! 

I have since focused my studies on Strategic Studies, History, Middle Eastern Studies and German Language and Culture. The Asia Pacific region is fascinating to study no matter whether you are pursuing a career in business, as a strategist, anthropologist or historian. 

I also continued my love of orchestral and choral music in Canberra, and I have been a member of the Canberra Youth Orchestra and a number of other ensembles since leaving CCGS.
 
You’ve travelled extensively throughout Southeast Asia including Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. Tell us a bit about your adventures. 

The highlight of being an undergraduate has been doing a number of intensive and immersive study abroad programs in Southeast Asia and Canada. Not only did I Iearn a considerable amount from my peers and lecturers, but I also developed some initial experience as a field researcher. Sharing in-country experiences with your peers is incredibly rewarding. You build lasting friendships with people who are often outside your residential college or degree environment.

I wanted to study in the Asia Pacific so I could really learn about fundamental issues and policy problems in particular countries. Nothing beats first-hand experience and speaking to local people, politicians, government officials and rights activists. I’m also incredibly glad that I tried subjects that were not necessarily within my field of study. It's really allowed me to explore new academic disciplines and learn new languages, like Thai. Even making the smallest effort to use a native language can make the biggest difference in how you communicate cross-culturally.

You’re currently a research assistant in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (SDSC) at ANU and International Security Studies is a huge passion of yours. You are even the co-editor of a book on the Korean War which is being published by ANU Press and the Australian War Memorial. Tell us more. 

I’m pretty sure I’m the youngest staff member at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the ANU, so I was extremely grateful and humbled when my supervisor, Professor John Blaxland, invited me to become a co-editor of the upcoming publication 'In from the Cold: Reflections on Australia’s Korean War'. The book is expected to be published this year in conjunction with the Australian War Memorial. It focuses on the continuing strategic and historical significance of the Korean War for Australia today.

As a Research Assistant, my duties can encompass anything from liaising with contributing authors, assisting with the creation of new maps and selecting photographs to be included in the publication. Being a member of the Centre has allowed me to engage more extensively with, and learn from, world-renowned academics and defence officials, many of whom have served in very senior roles in the Australian Government and the Australian Defence Force.

What are your dreams for the future?

I hope that I will be given the opportunity to make positive contributions to Australian society through working on the development and implementation of Australian Government policy, both in domestic and international contexts that have tangible impacts on the lives of Australians.
 
What is your favourite memory of CCGS?

My favourite memories of CCGS are definitely formed around the amazing music program that CCGS has to offer, in terms of both classroom and co-curricular music. Some of my earliest memories of CCGS are sitting at the back of the Senior Orchestra in Junior ÁñÁ«¹ÙÍø, amongst the older students, and trying to make a decent sound out of my French Horn.

I cannot imagine what my 11 and a half years at CCGS would have been like without music. Although I do remember having to choose between free time and Infants Choir in Year 2. Needless to say, I took the free time!
 
What is one piece of advice you would give to your high school self?

I would tell my younger self that you will mistakes, and plenty of them. But don’t let that discourage you too much because there are always new and interesting opportunities right around the corner. I would also say that failure and disappointment no matter what is never permanent.