My exchange semester has taken me to many brilliant places before I will finally settle down in Stockholm at KTH. The semester here doesn’t start until the 1st of September which has given me close to two months of travel before it all kicks off. Here are a few snaps of my travels so far. Enjoy.
Post by Robert Gibson
I’m currently sitting in a café named Termini in Causeway Bay, yes free wifi (pw: teayardcoffee), gathering my thoughts to mentally prepare for the next seven months. It baffles me that not long ago, I was running around from building to building, speaking with a tutor then admin, then another tutor and another admin, all over again, and on top of that sign so many documents to organise this exchange. BUT finally I am actually here – four days away from O-week and 11 days away from my first lecture in the Architecture and Engineering faculty at the City University of Hong Kong. Whilst I’ll be studying subjects relevant for my degree, I feel that there are many more invaluable life lessons that this exchange experience has provided and will go on to offer.
So, Hong Kong…I had travelled here previously and immediately fell in love. It was a city where I felt that I could really do something – this was the place I could make something happen. I loved how fast paced everything was. Hong Kong is like rapid waters; the streets are packed tightly with people and roads flooded with cars weaving in and out of traffic. Everything and everywhere is so densely populated, yet everybody was riding their own wave and everything moved to exactly where they needed to be.
Coming back to Sydney and re-adjusting to normal, everyday life was difficult. Post-holiday blues hit hard. I found that the routine of everyday student life was somewhat tedious. It was the pace and the constant changing nature of Hong Kong that was addictive – that feeling of being rushed and needing to keep up was something that I craved in everyday life. So, I set a goal. I’d always known that the experience of travelling to a country as a tourist is completely different to life in the country as local. I would go on exchange to Hong Kong. Student exchange would afford me the opportunity to get back to Hong Kong for six moths, study my passion, immerse myself into the culture and feel that sense of belonging.
Being back here in Hong Kong, now as a student (not just a foreign tourist), I find myself really looking forward to learn how space, architecture and design work in a country with such little space, as opposed to my home, Australia, where we have an (over) abundance of space.
Hong Kong is a space-deprived country. Everything from the local supermarkets to the oversized department stores, even the local pet stores, are vertical or underground. This was the first observation that I thought could really tie into my degree back home (Spatial Interior Design).
Although, I have yet to start the semester, based on what I’ve seen and been a part of, there is no doubt that my time on exchange will be one of the greatest rides of my life.
I’ve spent the last two weeks taking endless photos my camera and documenting the local life. The MTR subway system is unbelievable here – you do not wait longer than two minutes for the next train. I could get used to that (but try to remind myself not to…) Hong Kong is a place that signals the future, it embraces cultures and retells history. Most importantly, it is a place that appreciates the finer details of design, space and monuments.
A place with so much to offer..I wonder what this semester in Hong Kong will have to offer ME?
Until next time…
Matthew Seo (11719402)
How did I even get here?
I’m currently sitting in the Ostello Archi Rossi in Florence, Italy attempting to summarise the rollercoaster of emotions that have accompanied my exchange preparations over the past twelve or so months (it’s not easy!). I’m still three weeks away from commencing my orientation program at Kedge Business School, Bordeaux Campus (France) and five weeks from actually undertaking any classes, and yet I’ve already learnt so many invaluable lessons.
I’ve been travelling for just over two weeks now with two of my closest friends; Brooke, one of my best mates from high school and Siobhan, a UTS student that I met because she is also undertaking her exchange at Kedge Business School. To cut a long story short, both myself and exchange were two mutual factors we all had in common. Combine that with strikingly similar destination wish-lists and voila, here we are backpacking together, The Three Amigos Take Europe (again, how did I even get here?). Months before even leaving home, our committment to exchange had extended all three of us the opportunity to make great new friends. Going back to our travel plans I can confidently say that within about 72 hours of having landed in beautiful London, I felt completely content and entirely assured that this is exactly where I should be and exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. Our combined list of travel destinations spans seven countries (United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Switzerland and Germany) and ranges between 5-7 weeks.We’ve been doing a combination of fast-paced sightseeing, indulging in local foods, window shopping, people watching and lots of aimless awe-inspired wandering as well. Europe has been an absolute treat so far. Undoubtedly, I harboured a few (okay fine, a lot) of doubts before our departure, but the absolute joy of being in new and lively places completely eradicates all the worries you have. Travelling can be challenging, but we’ve come to realise that the hiccups don’t kill you, and you honestly just do whatever it is you have to do to push through it.
Some highlights of my trip so far include:
Unfortunately, I don’t yet have any university specific experiences to report on. I’ve found that this is the case with most exhange students studying in Europe, the semester doesn’t begin until September. However, if the degree of fun, awe and discovery I’ve experienced in a mere two weeks of exploring Europe are any indication .. it is going to be an EPIC, INCREDIBLE (AND EXHAUSTING) adventure. Travel honestly changes you! Yeah I know, the cliche is close to gag-worthy, but after two weeks spent navigating language barriers, eating unimaginably good foreign cuisines, and quite literally getting completely lost in the underground Metro systems of unfamiliar cities, I can finally recognise and appreciate first-hand all of the travel perks the well-travelled bunch always ramble on about. I’ve already learned that nothing quite compares to the insights you acquire from contesting the barriers of your comfort zone. If I can vouch for this so early on in my exchange journey, I can’t imagine what the rest of the semester will bring.
Until next time,
Stephanie Symons.
Like many Australian students travelling abroad for a semester, I was feeling a little nervous. I’d been to Europe before but I’d never actually lived abroad. Here I was sitting in Florence and preparing myself mentally for the next 6 months of my life in Konstanz, Germany.
It was going to be a new adventure and a new chapter in my life. I’d tried to prepare for it by taking short german language classes in Sydney but I knew it wouldn’t be enough to hold a conversation. I had left Australia on the 15th of july to travel through Europe before my studies began. My short time in Berlin and Vienna had taught me that my limited Deutsch was good enough for simple transactions but nothing more. I had sighed a sigh of relief when I had realised I had been accepted in the Go-Konstanz intensive german course at the University,that ran for the month of September. I knew that the next time I’d visit Berlin, I would be able to converse further than my Ja, Nein and Danke.
Moving to Konstanz will be a challenging and rewarding experience. I know that I will have to push myself to leave my comfort zone and try all sorts of new things. Having the opportunity to study in Germany is a once in a life opportunity that I will forever remember.
As for now, all that I can do is enjoy the fanastic Italian food in Florence and panoramic views of the city. Once September rolls by, I will begin my new German life as a Konstanz University student.
Charlotte Boreham 11730951
It’s been three days since I arrived in Germany. I used to live here when I was younger, so it’s wonderful to return to this breathtaking country. My mother still lives here so I am living with her for the semester. I have not attended my host university yet but I am headed there on Wednesday to enrol in my courses for this semester. I cannot wait to see the University as it is a castle, it must be beautiful 😊 Classes do not commence for another two weeks, so I plan to use my time to familiarise myself with the surroundings and go exploring.
The above photo is the view from my bedroom, living back in the house I grew up in brings back so many wonderful memories. I cannot wait to get a taste of the student life in this country.
Rebecca Tarbert
Currently exploring the big apple and having a wonderful time. I haven’t been to North America since I was 6 and even then it was only LA. There is just so much to see here and it’s wild! I look forward to the even bigger adventure starting in late August in Toronto and to enjoy studying film with all the fabulous facilities at Ryerson.
Hooray!
Olivia Fay-WIlliams
*Ahem*
“The door is on this side. You aren’t in England any more!”
Too sleepy to be embarrassed, I stumbled away from the driver’s seat and managed to make myself around the car and fell into the back seat. Wait – was he annoyed at my going to the wrong side of the car? He seemed to be smirking, but it was a strangely warm and welcoming smirk.
“Frederiksberg please – I think the street was called Guldborgvej.”
The taxi driver shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was in his late forties, and was gifted with an impeccable memory. This strange unknown street in the heart of his city had bothered him immensely. He stared into his dashboard, as if there were some sort of clue that would wisp out of the air conditioner vent and spark a memory of precisely where that street was. Eventually, he decided that the air conditioner fairy would be a no-show and that he should have to get on with his day without it.
“Sorry, I don’t know where that is. Are you sure it’s in Frederiksberg?”
“Oh here, I printed out a map – it’s pretty close to the hospital.”
That smirk again.
“Kul-bahr-vhay.”
“Ah right, so not ‘Guldborgvej’?”
“No, we don’t like to pronounce things as they are spelt. It makes the language too boring.”
This time, I smirked. This was a sense of humour I could get used to. As I slowly became more alert (somehow I forgot to get a coffee after landing), the view outside the taxi window started to become a bit less hazy. The sun was shining bright and the trees and tall grass were a shade of green I hadn’t seen in nature before.
“I’ve only been here once before. It was winter then though. It feels like a different city now.”
“Yeah, we have had a long and warm summer. You know, I think Copenhagen is one of the greenest cities out there.”
A few minutes of silence ensued as we both enjoyed the hot sun and appreciated the beauty of the architecture and nature on both sides of the highway into town.
“So does everyone drink Carlsberg here?”
“Yes. That and Tuborg. I think it’s because they’re the big international brands. But now they are the same. United Breweries they call it! Did you know that the Carlsberg family donated a history museum to the city? You should go and see it. There are some beautiful antique Greek statues and Paintings by French impressionists. In fact, there is a similar story with our Opera House. It was donated by one of the Maersk family. Do you know Maersk?”
“I think I’ve seen-“
“They’re a shipping company, and one of our biggest companies from Denmark. Anyway, the Maersk family paid for the Opera House but I don’t think they paid for the operating cost. That became pretty expensive for the city. But it’s a beautiful building, and you have a great view of it from the palace, over the harbour. There’s a church there as well with a roof that’s shaped like a – what do you call it? – a circle? no…”
“A dome?”
“Yes, a dome roof! That was another building that was gifted to the city by a rich industrialist a few hundred years ago. Oh, we’re coming into Frederiksberg now. It’s strange; the rules are all different here. Frederiksberg is separate to Copenhagen and has some different parking rules and even has its separate politics. You can park for two hours for free in Frederiksberg before you have to pay. In Copenhagen, it just gets more expensive as you get closer to the city. There’s a famous swimming pool in Frederiksberg on the top floor of one of the buildings. Not the roof, but the top floor. It is very popular with the locals. In fact, some people call this whole area the ‘swimming pool neighbourhood’. Oh, here we are. Kul-bahr-vhay.”
“Got it.”
Clearly I had struck a chord. I was happy to listen and learn a little about the city and kept a mental note to bring up Carlsberg if I ever run out of things to talk about. Watch out, Copenhagen.
Taufiq Khan / 15 August 2014
………………………………..Translation!? We each make a kite of life and fly it as we will
This is a saying here in Mexico, meaning in Mexico the people will live their lives as they like. And so far, it most definitely rings true. So, here I am. Two weeks into my global exchange program in Guadalajara Mexico (pictures above are from Guadalajara). A city I knew very little about before arriving. What was I welcomed with? Open arms. I was welcomed to a country so rich in culture, with more diversity that you could anticipate, and spice. A lot of spice! By this I don’t only particularly refer to the food, which I may add, if your not a lover of spicy food like myself it potentially could be a shock to your taste buds. What else but the food, its the people. You just can’t describe the warmth, the generosity and merely just the smiles of Mexicans. The people here are just so welcoming, friendly, inviting, you are thrown the phrase ‘mi casa es tu casa’, (translation for others – my house is your house). And yes, perhaps at home this could be construed as ‘a nice gesture’, but here they mean it! If your invited to a house, a party, a dinner – your invited! And not only are you invited, everyone you know are invited, and everyone they know!
Only in a country like Mexico have I been given the confidence and support to re-discover my artistic, creative side. The people here just believe that the movement in music, in the body, in dance, in the hand through art, through creating jewellery – to really every movement, that we all encompass this creativity. We all have this inner ability to be artistic in whatever we do. As someone who arrived with no belief that I had any creativity left, and to have anyone you meet believe you are capable of all the above, is a truly meaningful feeling. Something I just haven’t been able to find anywhere else across the world. I have traveled a lot around the world, through Europe, Asia, America, India, South and Central America, so I feel I have some argument to support my above statements! I was lucky enough, or strategic enough, to time my study abroad after traveling. To elaborate, I was fortunate to arrive in Mexico late last year (2013). Which allowed me to spend around 8 months traveling down through Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. After this returning back to Mexico, exploring a little more before I begun my studies in Guadalajara. It is not the common way to do exchange, however I wouldn’t have wished for it any other way. This way I had time to learn the language, be introduced to the people, the way they think, the way they perceive time – which you wouldn’t never imagine but is so so so very important over here! It gave me time to adjust to this, the ‘slow paced life’, for example! If you are planning to meet a group of people at 8pm, this means 9pm – at the very earliest! If someone says ‘give me 5 minutes’, this means ‘give me half an hour’. Which in Australia, is such a foreign concept. I have lost all punctuality time management, solely due to the need to become super duper patient and flexible!
Now – this post is to be about Guadalajara Mexico – Which is amazing! The city is so fascinating. Its home to some amazing food, people, traditions and ways of life – PLUS it is an hour to a lake, an hour to forests, mountains, volcanos, natural hot thermals, ‘magic cities’ and the beach. You can’t beat that for location! However, due to my more current travelling experiences being spent in countries further south of mexico I will share a few experiences and photos that are possible when studying here! I mean you won’t meet anyone that is studying here in Mexico that doesn’t plan to travel in the holidays or after they finish. Everything is so close and so very affordable.
Firstly!! Guatemala. Amazing! The people are so beautiful, and the way they speak. You can actually understand it. That saying you already have a basic understanding of Spanish, but its home to the learning of Spanish. It is a very affordable place to live. I spent my time living with a Guatemalan family in a home stay and taking Spanish classes. In my free time I helped at local schools with the children. What better way to learn a language than living and speaking with a local family. Guatemala is so very beautiful! A must is Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Semuc Champey – the most magical place I have ever been to. A few quick photos!
THESE ARE FROM SEMUC CHAMPEY GUATEMALA…….SO FAR IN MY TOP FIVE PLACES IN THE WORLD
THIS IS A HIKE SAM – A FRIEND FROM NZ I MET TRAVELING – AND I COMPLETED IN LAKE ATITLAN GUATEMALA, AN AREA WHERE A VOLCANO COLLAPSED AND CREATED A LAKE – WITH SMALL TOWNS AND VOLCANOS SURROUNDING THE LAKE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND THE WHOLE LAKE.
However, where I spent most of my time was in the beautiful, undiscovered, uninterrupted Nicaragua. Where the people, I mean they aren’t quite the welcoming people of lets say Mexico! BUT they still make Nicaragua what it is. They have such a ‘work-free, care-free, laid-back’ attitude to absolutely everything in life. And if this doesn’t transfer into the welcoming of tourists then so be it! This is there culture, their way, it was not up to me to decide how they wanted to approach tourism, seeing as – me as a foreigner was so foreign to them. I really recommend visiting Nicaragua, especially before the plan to install a Canal through the middle of it commences!
Some photos! To express the diversity I had discovered in this mysterious country! 
1. THE CORN ISLANDS ON THE CARIBBEAN SIDE OF NICARAGUA
2. JIQUILLIO NORTHERN PACIFIC SIDE OF NICARAGUA – OF SOME OF THE CHILDREN I VOLUNTEERED WITH
3. ON THE ROOF OF A CHURCH IN LEON NICARAGUA
Now, back to Mexico. Some photos to introduce you to the country that throughout my travels I constantly missed so much, and felt so at home ht moment I landed back here!
NOW – to end. The important stuff! Guadalajara life:
To start, University at TEC. TEC is well, it’s a very beautiful campus. But a little bit out in the middle of no where. The housing is very beautiful and modern around the Campus, however the traditional cultural feel of Guadalajara is around 1 + hour on a rickety bus away. This is where I chose to live! I am living in Centro, where I am finding I am spending around 2-3 hours a day to get a bus (there and back each day). However, it is totally worth it. This means I get to experience two complete different areas. Plus it gives you a chance to get a coffee, listen to some great music and people watch each day. Plus you find so many other students on the same bus ride so there’s always someone to chat with the pass the time. The University is quite content heavy in terms of workload, and rather strict. But this is there way, and it obviously works for a reason. The teachers are fantastic, they are really passionate about what they are teaching and deliver the content in such energetic and creative ways. So it makes all this so worth it. I am taking classes I would have never before been interested in and am so excited to learn about something completely different from a perspective of a foreign country. They are quite practical and hands on in the way they teach, they really want you to get out with the community for projects which is really exciting. Additionally the university really looks after their foreign students, really settles you in and all the staff are so very friendly. There’s days, excursions, parties, beach festivals, housing options – all offered for foreign students. Also the facilities at the University are unbelievably. You have free access to the gym, all classes, pools, and everything in between. Free classes in yoga, Pilates, every type of dance possibly, learning an instrument, circus classes, drama, cooking, salsa, mixed martial arts, and art classes and more. All you need to do is find some that fit into your schedule and sign up!
Living wise, I am in a student house in Centro area, right in the thick of the hustle and bustle of Guadalajara. I am living with one other Australian girl, and a couple of other Mexican students from different universities. It is really fun; it means I get the full experience. They only speak Spanish, which is challenging, however I get to have sneaky English conversations with my Australian friend living here, which is always refreshing. But living with Mexicans is the greatest, they invite you to everything every night, they offer you whatever they have! They want to experience everything, any trip they plan, any gig they attend, any drink they make any food they make. It makes it all the more authentic!
A major plus here as well is how affordable everything is! Rent, food, transport, trips away! What you will spend in a month in Australia will stretch to 3-4 months in Mexico. The nightlife in Guadalajara is insane! Its a University City, so there are parties non stop, and lots of roof and house parties which is a nice change. A lot of salsa, a lot of shopping – antiques, artisans, second hand, painting, jewellery , the works! The food in Mexico is absolutely amazing, your taste buds will be in constant surprise! Also, if your a fan of Tequila, well where it is grown is just around the corner. Tequila here is not like home, its amazing!
THIS IS A PHOTO OF TEQUILA TOWN & THE SECOND IS GUADALAJARA’S FAMOUS TORTA AHOGADA (it may not be aesthetically pleasing, but thats not the point! Its delicious)
SO! If you after an adventure and perhaps a little bit of a challenge – this challenges comes with full support – then come to Guadalajara! Everyone here is so welcoming and happy to help you all the way – hence the stress of support through the challenge! If you want to learn something new, something creative, learn to salsa, learn to paint, speak spanish, or attempt, drink tequila, meet new people around the world, watch sunsets from rooftops, dance the night away – or the day!, eat amazing food, wake up each day with a smile on your face because you’ve been lucky enough to discover the life of Mexico. BIENVENIDOS A MEXICO! QUE CHIDO.
¡Saludos!
Georjia Newhouse
For the last two weeks I have been backpacking through Austria. And it has been amazing!
The major cultural differences between Austrians and Australians include the ability to consume alcohol and Weiner schnitzel simultaneously, and a love of all things Mozart.
The depth of culture in cities like Vienna and Salzburg is also remarkable. Many of their churches, architecture, music and art reflect methods developed centuries ago during the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg dynasty of the 15th Century. Significant cultural figures including Mozart, Haydn, Ferdinand Porsche, Arnold Schwarzenegger (yes, Arnie), and Felix Baumgartner have also shaped music, arts and literature in fantastic ways.
Next stop, Germany!
Matt Y
It has been two weeks already! They say time flies by when you are having fun – and since arriving in this wonderful city, the experiences, outings and gatherings have been nothing less than fun.
Contrary to the rant of my taxi driver on the way from the airport to my dorm, the people in Copenhagen are welcoming, friendly, and super helpful – especially when trying to distinguish between a litre of milk and yoghurt at the grocery store.
I was welcomed from day go, and by Saturday of week one, had taken to the danish drinking culture at one of the biggest dorm parties I have ever witnessed. The ‘Tour de Tietgen’, a dorm party famous for it’s 11am start and non-stop partying until the early hours of the following day.
A warm reception, and weather to match – the streets are filled with coloured historical buildings that sit along the kanals that divide the city. I have already fit in a tour of Copenhagen, a trip to Kronborg Castle, a crazy metro party, and have much more planned for the coming weeks.
Two weeks in and many more to come – it is exciting to be in this city, exciting to be in Europe with my first trip away set for Rome! Here’s to a great 5 months!
Farvel for now 🙂
Adelle Elhosni
