Considering going abroad?

by Ffion Davies, University of Queensland, Australia

Deciding to study abroad is a big decision! Choosing which country, city, or university, can be a little daunting. Sadly I’m at the end of my exchange year and have been exactly where you are. To put it simply, studying abroad was the best decision of my life and I would encourage anyone to do it! It’s really important you do as much research as you can on your options and your favourite destinations. It’s important to have a good idea of what to expect e.g., culture, the weather, uni: assessment types, teaching styles, etc. If you’re on the fence about going abroad, keep reading as I’m sure by the end of this blog I will have convinced you that it’s definitely the best thing you’ll do, along with some advice.

Preparing to go:

There’s a lot to do to prepare to go abroad and at times I felt a little overwhelmed, especially during the time of end of year assessments in Manchester whilst preparing to go. Being organised really helped me to keep things under control. Make sure your visa, flights, necessary applications and forms are completed as soon as possible to reduce stress if there are any delays. It’s important to purchase a SIM card, a ‘GoCard’ (the travel card for Brisbane), and set up a bank account soon after you arrive in your host country.

On a personal level:

Studying abroad has helped me significantly develop my independence, confidence, time management, organisational skills and openness to new experiences just to name a few. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and travelled on my own along with attending society events on my own at the start of my first semester before I had made friends – which I never would’ve had the courage to do if I wasn’t in Australia. But I had the mentality of ‘I have to give it my best shot and I have nothing to lose’.  Meeting people from all over the world has helped me learn about different cultures and made me realise that after I graduate I’d love to go travelling.

Academically:

I’ve loved the experience of studying in a different university and country. As a Criminology student, it’s given me an insight into the criminal justice system and issues relating to crime in an Australian context which I’ve found very interesting. It’s enriched my knowledge on the topic as well as different career options. I can apply the valuable skills learned and developed to my final year in Manchester.

Friends:

Over the last year, I’ve met amazing people and made fabulous friends who will be friends for life. I was worried about making friends before I came to Australia, but soon realised that everyone’s in the same boat; away from home, and also wanting to make friends. Everyone I met was outgoing, friendly, kind and genuine. Be prepared to put yourself out there. But, it’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself to make friends straight away (like I did) as you will meet so many people and gravitate more toward those who match your vibe. I met almost all of my friends through the exchange student society so I would highly recommend finding out if your host university has one or something similar.

Opportunities to travel:

I travelled around parts of Australia solo and with friends, along with visiting neighbouring countries such as New Zealand, Vanuatu, Bali, and Thailand. It’s contributed greatly to my time abroad through experiencing different cultures, foods, traditions, etc.

Although I’ve had an amazing experience, I was incredibly nervous before leaving home to come here, which is normal. But, things like jet lag, making friends, and settling in all come together after a few days/weeks.