Island hopping - Australia to Cyprus
His children and grandchildren, Central Districts Football Club, Coopers beer, Vilis pies, Balfours custard tarts and a game of hockey are high on Geoff Turner’s ‘what I miss about South Australia’ list.
The UniSA graduate is now an academic in Cyprus and while all those sentimental treats may be half a world away, he does have the benefit of being right on the doorstep of the other half of the world at the gateway to Europe.
Dr Turner studied a Bachelor of Accounting at UniSA (when it was SAIT) before returning later on in his career to undertake a MBA (in 1985). One thing led to another, and now he works as an Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of Nicosia on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
"I guess I’ve always had itchy feet, and before I entered the world of academia, I was a senior executive for the Australian subsidiaries of international companies, so travel around the world was part of my life," he said.
"I undertook my MBA while working in that field – I wanted to build a good career and the MBA was a definite requirement. Without the MBA I might never have found my way into academia and certainly wouldn’t have thought about doctoral studies.
"When I was writing my PhD on a part-time external basis at the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, the allure of Europe from a cultural and opportunity perspective became even stronger."
During a visit to Hong Kong, the chance to work in the UK was discussed over a long, enjoyable lunch. Then after several years there working at Sunderland and Kingston Universities, during which time Dr Turner was involved with the SA Universities Alumni group, another sea change saw him make the move to the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, three years ago. The University has an international focus, hosting students from all over the world in a multicultural learning environment.
"I’ve been an academic for nearly 20 years now and there’s plenty to enjoy," he said. "The highlights for me range from the different students I interact with, sharing their joys and disappointments, to the colleagues I share research and teaching with and the international collegiality of the profession.
"Cyprus is actually very similar to South Australia…beautiful weather, environment, sea, wine, food, and I’m so much closer to Europe. No 24-hour journey to see some of the most wonderful places in the world. If I really want to, I can go away just for a weekend. I think it’s the best of both worlds."