By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne is often regarded as the cultural hub of Australia and it didn’t take long for me to see why. From its buzzing cobbled laneways filled with street art and outdoor bars to the sheer diversity of its food and music scenes, Melbourne has so much to offer for anyone looking to indulge in the city’s creative energy. Each suburb has its own distinct culinary identity- Carlton was known locally as ‘little Italy’ and was famous for its Italian restaurants and gelato, the CBD was filled with an incredible mix of Asian cuisine and other areas like Richmond and Footscray offered authentic Asian and…

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia. Before travelling out to Australia, I had real concerns about the cost of living as an independent student and quickly realised that I would have to work part-time throughout the year in order to make the most of my time down under. Even though my student visa only allowed me to work 48 hours per fortnight, I was determined to maximise what I could earn so that I could travel during the summer break between November and March. I also wanted to experience the Australian work culture firsthand and had heard that the hospitality industry was a great way of meeting travellers from all…

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia. My day-to-day life on campus at the University of Melbourne usually began with a brisk walk from my accommodation to the coffee stand, where I enjoyed a famously cheap coffee before my lectures. With my caffeine fix under my belt, I’d wander through the campus’s green spaces- wide lawns, tree-lined paths and shaded benches that characterised the main campus belonging to the sprawling university. When it was sunny, the lawns would be full of students lounging between lectures, and the area quickly became a great spot to meet up with mates during term time. The academic side of the university experience felt familiar but…

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia. Settling into UniLodge Carlton was one of the highlights of my exchange experience. Despite initial concerns, I can safely say it made my time in Melbourne much easier and far more enjoyable. I decided to purchase a welcome box before my arrival, which included essentials like bedding, plates, cutlery and other household basics. It might sound simple, but after a long journey, it was incredibly reassuring having everything I needed to get started waiting for my arrival. Despite it being slightly overpriced, it took a lot of the stress out of moving in and allowed me to make my otherwise baron room feel like…

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia My first 24 hours in Melbourne were a blur, consumed by jet lag but fuelled by excitement and adrenaline. When I reached my accommodation for the term, UniLodge, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist who took me to my room. I spent the next few hours setting up my home for the next few months, which definitely helped to ground me after such a long journey- it felt like an immediate relief to have a space I can call my own in such an alien city. I woke up early the next morning, still adjusting to the time difference, and decided to head…

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia My journey from London to Melbourne was a true endurance test. Two flights, three time zones and a hectic Qatari airport transfer later, I finally landed on the opposite side of the world. By the end of it, I wasn’t even sure what day it was- everything blurred into an endless cycle of turgid meals and unfulfilling films. Before all that came the hardest part. Standing outside of Heathrow’s security checkpoint with my family felt pretty surreal. The stereotypical airport farewell seemed to have an added layer of difficulty- we were all very aware that this was to be the last time I saw…