An unthinkable start to global exchange at Oregon State University

My name is Asher and I’m currently in the first few weeks of my study abroad program in the city of Corvallis, a small college town in Oregon, on the west coast of America.

I study Construction Project Management at UTS but am using my electives here and taking courses in business, management, and psychology. My first impression of the business and management classes is that there is a lot of group assignments, which I like because it’s a good opportunity to meet new people, network and make friends. I introduced myself to all my teachers, all of which have been extremely welcoming, friendly and are more than willing to make themselves available to chat, for help or for anything really.

The campus here is how you would expect most American universities to be. Big, grand, and aesthetic. There are so many facilities that students can use such as the Dixon Recreation Centre which has a large sized gym, a pool, sauna, steam room, a climbing wall and adventure centre and more. There is of course also a library, a student experience centre and to top it off a bowling alley, pool tables and so much more. In terms of class, the teaching style is not too different to UTS but in saying that each teacher has a different style. All my classes involve a lot of group work, and some classes are more content heavy than others. I think I’m lucky that I find all my classes interesting considering that I am not studying any of these majors in Sydney.

When I arrived in Oregon people would say how friendly everyone is, but I never really thought too much into that until I started living here. I can genuinely say that the people I have met and interacted with here are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. Small things like when riding my bike, cars give way to you even in places they aren’t meant to. Strangers at the grocery store will spare money for you if you don’t have enough to pay for something. And the list goes on.

I found accommodation off the OSU Facebook housing group, and I couldn’t be happier. I live off campus in a house of 5 guys, who have shown me around, introduced me to all their friends and included me in their nights out. I would suggest living off campus if you are happy to cook your own meals and hang out with people over the age of 21.

The night life here is also great. There’s a bunch of bars that we frequent with cheap drinks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There is also so much to do in the immediate and surrounding areas such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, camping, climbing and really anything adventurous.

The one thing that I have enjoyed the most however is meeting so many new people. I never thought it would be this easy to meet so many and such fun and likeminded people, and one thing to take from this is to throw yourself in the deep end, get out your comfort zone and live by the yes rule.

Asher Zines

Bachelor of Construction Project Management

Global Exchange student at Oregon State University, US

Global Exchange scholarship recipient