In April I went to Poland and participated in the International Workshop on Strategic Management at Poznan University of Technology. I went into this program with a group of UTS students I had never met before and came out with memories and friends to last a lifetime!
First dinner together with the UTS students
The program taught me how to work in a team with not only people you have never met, but also people from different cultures. One of the favourite things I was taught was how physical and verbal cues can be interpreted differently in other parts of the world, right down to how close people may choose to sit at a bus station to how blunt or forward people may speak. Understanding this helped us work more effectively in teams where everyone’s communication styles were different.
My group for the workshop
The program was fun and gave us plenty of opportunities to explore Poznan in our free time. The local students went out of their way to involve us in fun activities and showed us some of their favourite spots, with my personal favourite being down by the river where people would have mini BBQs going and playing games.
Hanging out at the local park
For future students participating in this workshop, if accommodation is self-organised then I highly recommend you get a big Airbnb like we did so we could all hang out in the same space. It’s like being in a hostel but with much nicer facilities! Our place was about 15/20 minutes away from the Uni, and we would split Ubers to get there which was super cheap (cheaper than scooter or public transport!).
I would highly recommend this program for future UTS students as it is a great way to explore another part of the world whilst studying. Being a weeklong workshop, many of us took the opportunity to arrive earlier or stay longer so we could travel and see other parts of Poland or other European countries.
Jessica Walker Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology International Workshop on Strategic Management at Poznan University of Technology , Poland
Buongiorno! Ciao! In the July break of 2023, I embarked on a 2-week Global Shorts Program to learn ‘Eco & Social Entrepreneurship at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy. As a Business and Creative Intelligence & Innovation student, it was an enriching experience to immerse myself into new spaces, perspectives, and cultural practices. During this time, I was also able to connect with an amazing group of tutors and peers from all corners of the world. Whilst it may seem cliché, going on a global exchange was truly a transformative experience. And that is why I want to share what it meant for me, to show what it can be for you.
Doing it for my younger self It was my dream as a little girl to always go to Europe, and just travel the world in general. Throughout the years, people have always told me that going overseas is one of the best things to do in life. And they were right. We all know that studying isn’t high on anyone’s list of fun activities; but mix it with travel and it’ll be one of the best experiences you’ll ever have- trust me. For me, studying abroad made my “Euro Summer” dream more special than I ever thought it could be.
I wanted to stop being comfortable It is a kinda scary adventure to take on headfirst. It was my first time traveling alone in a foreign country that was on the other side of the world. The thought that keeps me going is how comfortable I am at this point in my life. A point when I shouldn’t be feeling so comfy because there is so much learning I need to go through to become a fully-fledged adult. Being in my twenties, I don’t want to look back and wish that there was more I could do to discover myself. I don’t want to be comfortable because that means I’ve taken the easy route. Every so often I should be getting out into the world and taking risks while I still have the time and the opportunities to do so. And that’s what exchange means to me.
3. Knowing who else is out there
Sydney is a sort of “bubble”- you have your allocated friend group; you hang out with ‘these’ people from ‘those’ areas. And whilst I adore and love the relationships I have made at home, I was ready to carve new ones overseas. Like what I said before, my course let me connect with an amazing group of tutors and peers from all corners of the world. My class had students from Italy, America, Spain, and Mexico. Accordingly, over the course of the subject, we studied, partied, and discovered together.
One of my favourite memories was when we organised a group trip to the lively, charming district of Navigli to have Aperitivo after a long day of learning. We were introduced to the concept of Aperitivo in our welcome session at the University- it is a cultural ritual in Italy where you have a pre-meal drink with appetisers (similar to a happy hour). Each of us horribly, yet admirably ordered an Aperol Spritz in broken Italian to our waiter. When our drinks came, one of my classmates stood up and enthusiastically toasted his glass with a warm “Salute!” (Cheers). Our whole table echoed back the phrase with bright smiles. As the night progressed, we shared many stories (and our collective love for Prosciutto), laughed until our stomachs hurt, and later danced to the tune of ‘Sara Perche ti Amo’(you have to listen on Spotify) in the restaurant.
On another note, during class one day, I ironically used the term ‘slay’ after we successfully completed a group presentation. One of my team members who was from Mexico, named Adrés, never heard of the term before. After explaining what it meant, he found it funny and loved it. The next day in class, Andrés started using ‘slay’ throughout conversations and said he would teach everyone back in Mexico. My professor even gave us the equivalent meaning in Italian after being caught into our joke. To ‘slay’ in Italian is “far colpo” (make an impression) or “dare il meglio” (give one’s best).
This brings me to say to say: YOU CAN MAKE LONG-LIFE FRIENDS in a few weeks. Exchange programs are an incredibly bonding experience.
4. Knowing what else is out there
Milan, the world- it is a beautiful place. One of the biggest advantages of studying abroad was to become immersed in a totally different environment. However, I was able to enjoy a less tourist-filled space and see a side of Italy that many other travellers are not fortunate enough to receive. Whilst I was not a local, I was definitely embraced as one. From here, the relaxed subject structure allowed me to travel on weekends. I used the fast-bullet train, ‘Trentialia’, to go to Venice- a dream come true. Moreover, traveling with the intention of ‘Knowing What Else Is Out There’ requires an open mind and a willingness to embrace the differences that define each culture. It’s about tasting new flavors, listening to new languages, and understanding the various ways people express themselves around the world. For me, this meant eating my weight in pasta and drinking espresso at the counter with the barista, navigating the different workloads, and talking to locals.
For my final words (incoming cliché), you’ll find that the magic of travel and studying abroad lies not just in the destinations themselves, but in the profound impact they have on your sense of self and your place in the world. I always told myself that travel is one of the best things to do in life. And they are right.
I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Grazie e arrivederci!
Alicia Amann UTS Business School Social and Eco Entrepreneurship Summer Programme at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient
Well, where to begin. The exchange was single-handedly the best decision I have ever had during my time at UTS. It offered me the opportunity to solo travel all the way over to the other side of the world in the midst of their European summer to attend university. During my time at Leeds, I met so many wonderful people who I later went on to travel around Europe with and still see now back at home.
The Global Sports program offers an amazing opportunity to experience what it is like to live and attend university overseas without the usual stress that comes with doing a 6 month – 1 year exchange. Due to it only being 2 weeks gives you immense flexibility to do what you want with the rest of your time.
While at Leeds I undertook “Developing Leadership in Sport and the Outdoors” as my coursework. It had an extreme focus on group work and thinking outside the box. I was incredibly lucky with the subject that I had chosen as we were constantly out of the classroom doing interactive and engaging class work compared to some of the others whom I had met who were doing more academic subjects such as ethics and property management.
Throughout the continuous group work activities and multiple opportunities to implement what we had learnt into real-life scenarios. We also went on an excursion to Brigham Rocks in Leeds to try outdoor rock climbing. This was to test our communication and teamwork skills. While we did still have to complete assignments during our time there it was clear that the university prioritised the student’s enjoyment and engagement rather than just on results which was a refreshing take on what university is normally like. The coursework excursions as well as the social and cultural excursions that the university had organised meant almost every second day we were out off-campus getting to visit places around and surrounding counties.
I honestly can not recommend anything more than to go on exchange with the people that I met through my time at Leeds and will continue to be lifelong friends and I want others to have the courage to take that next step to travel and meet new people. The global shorts program is the best way to do so.
Charlotte Tate UTS Business School Business and Cultural Awareness: Bridging the Gap at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient
For anyone considering completing a Global Short Program, I would 100% recommend it! It has by far been the most amazing experience I have ever had. I was given the opportunity to study International Sports Law in Zurich, Switzerland. Not only was I engaging in a course that was relevant for my future studies, but the location was ideal for travelling! So not only did I gain academic credit for my course, but I also got to travel around Europe so easily! The course also included various social programs where we took a day trip to the capital city of Switzerland, Bern, and got to hike their local mountain, Uteilberg.
As I was studying International Sports Law I was provided the opportunity to participate in a sports arbitration moot and we were taken to the FIFA Headquarters too! We also did a day trip to Lausanne where we got to see the Olympic Museum!
Aside from academic learning in the legal field, this short-term exchange program provided me with further insight into not only the Swiss Culture but Europe as a whole. During the program, we were given the opportunity to have a Traditional Swiss Dinner which was one of my favourite nights. Along with trying traditional Swiss food, I was able to learn a few phrases of the languages spoken in Switzerland. Switzerland is divided into various areas with having some parts being German-speaking, some being French and they also have an Italian region. Switzerland also has a dialect of German known as Swiss German which was commonly used in Zurich. At first, it was a slight culture shock when we would go to the grocery store or to a restaurant and they would initially speak to us in German and we would provide blank stares because we were confused. Since then, I have learned that it is polite to first ask them whether they know English in their language before speaking straight in English. By doing this we were provided with better services as opposed to our initial days when we would speak English instantly. This was especially required in the French-speaking areas of Switzerland along with France.
Another thing I learnt about general Europe culture was that travelling around Europe was so normal for everyone. Everywhere in Europe is so close and a lot of students do day trips or even weekend trips to another country because its so nearby. Still to this day I am so fascinated with the fact that it only took me 3.5 hours by train to get to Milan from Zurich! I got to go to another country as a day trip on the weekend and it was absolutely amazing. It was such a foreign and amazing concept to be apart of as Australia is such a vast country and a three hour drive from Sydney would allow us to only just reach Canberra.
One of my favourite memories from the whole experience was attending the Zurich festival which happens every three years. The timing of our course and this festival was perfect as we got to experience a true Switzerland tradition. The streets were entirely blocked off with multiple food stalls, performances and rides and games for everyone!
Another one of my highlights was I was able to paraglide across the Swiss Alps! Never did I ever imagine myself doing that, but the opportunity to travel through this short-term program really encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and make the most of my experience. Overall, this was the most amazing experience and I would do it all over again!
Aryenish Kavarana Faculty of Law International Sports law at Universität Zürich, Switzerland Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship receipient
Manado, a picturesque city in the northern part of Sulawesi, Indonesia, is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich architectural heritage. A recent architectural study tour to Manado provided an eye-opening experience for architecture enthusiasts and students alike, offering a unique blend of traditional Indonesian architecture and modern design.
Regarding architectural marvels, Manado, Indonesia, is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. On a recent architectural study tour of this enchanting city, we were spellbound by the distinctive beauty of the Minahasa houses, which stand as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Minahasan people. Nestled in the lush landscapes of North Sulawesi, Manado is the gateway to a world where tradition and architecture converge seamlessly. The Minahasa houses, locally known as “Tongkonan,” emerged as the stars of our architectural journey. These iconic structures are more than just homes; they represent the Minahasan way of life.
The Minahasa houses immediately capture one’s attention. Crafted with remarkable precision, these roofs are a tribute to the Minahasan people’s exceptional woodworking skills. Each intricate carving and detail tells a story, a testament to the region’s rich cultural tapestry.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Minahasa houses is their harmony with the natural environment. They showcase a deep understanding of sustainable building practices, built entirely from locally sourced materials, such as wood and bamboo. The open design of these houses allows for natural ventilation, making them comfortable even in the tropical climate of Manado. While the Minahasa houses are a living testament to Manado’s architectural past, they also face challenges in the modern world. Our tour highlighted ongoing efforts to preserve and restore these historical gems. Architects and conservationists are working tirelessly to ensure that future generations can continue to appreciate the beauty and cultural significance of the Minahasa houses.
The architectural study tour to Manado, Indonesia, was an unforgettable journey into the heart of tradition and culture. The Minahasa houses’ unique designs and cultural significance left an indelible mark on our understanding of architecture’s role in preserving heritage. Manado’s commitment to preserving its architectural treasures inspires the world, reminding us that the past can coexist harmoniously with the present.
Joshua Kishore Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building Interior Architecture Morotai, Moluku Islands, Indonesia Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient
When I found out there was a chance to study at Sophia University through UTS, I jumped at the chance and signed up as soon as possible. Being in the last semester of my communications degree and studying Japanese throughout COVID-19, the idea of being able to travel while still a student was like a far-off dream that somehow eventually saw the light of day. The trip itself, however, wasn’t as simple as I assumed it would be, and with many struggles along the way, resulting in my self-confidence developing alongside my language skills.
Tokyo is hugely different from Sydney. Being the largest city in the world, there’s an endless number of places to go and activities to find. Being relatively cheap, you can do and eat a lot without even thinking. On the one hand, it’s truly amazing to see, but the city does overwhelm you with the sheer number of people, all so confident about a culture you’ve experienced nearly nothing about.
Before I left, I had yet to learn what to expect from universities in Japan. I had always assumed the idea of a university was global, and the only real variation would be that everyone spoke Japanese. Shockingly, there was more variation than just the language.
Sophia University felt like a high school. With a student body of only around 12,000 (compared to UTS’s 44,000), the campus was small with blocky white buildings and each period was marked with a chime that rang throughout the entire university. Most people came for their classes, hung out in the cafeterias in between, and left as soon as their day was over. There wasn’t the same kind of on-campus life at all.
My classes started at 9am and went all the way till 3pm, it was like a blast from the past, coming into class every day, sitting at my desk, and seeing the same faces five times a week felt nostalgic. But it was a real challenge to adapt to the high school mindset while learning a language and taking in a new culture. Japan, especially Tokyo, has so much to experience that it would be a waste not to go out and find what’s on offer. Before I got used to the new schedule, there were many nights with no sleep.
This didn’t last too long. Once around a week of classes had passed, discipline kicked in, and I found myself less stressed with more time to relax and the confidence to branch out, talk with more classmates and participate in more events. A highlight was Sophia’s annual Yukata Day, which we were lucky to come in time for. All students are encouraged to wear traditional Japanese summer clothes called yukatas.
Towards the end of the program, I was even confident enough to reach out and speak to more local students. One I had known for a long time took a group of us to visit her hometown of Nikko, up north in Tochigi prefecture. Nikko was very different from anything in Tokyo.
As a world heritage-listed site, Nikko had a distinctly historic feel with barely any development and picturesque landscapes and buildings tucked behind giant trees like the skyscrapers in Shinjuku. After a few weeks in Tokyo, the change in atmosphere was welcome and helped put into perspective the busy life at Sophia, and the hustle ‘n’ bustle of the city wasn’t all I came for. Places off the beaten track allow you to breathe.
Rufus Dadd-Daigle Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Summer Session in Japanese Language at Sophia University, Japan New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant recipient
Starting my journey at the end of June, to begin my new student life as a first-time foreigner in Singapore. To be very honest, I was quite frightened to begin living alone since it was my first time away from my family and friends but at the same time, I could not wait for the adventure to start, and it didn’t take me long to find the first giant tourist hit – Changi Airport. This was my first glimpse of Singapore, and it welcomed me with its modern marvels and bustling energy, setting the tone for my exciting trip.
Dorm Life at NTU
Staying at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was an amazing experience for me as it was the first time I had stayed in a dormitory, so this was all quite new to me but helped me learn so many things. Keeping up to date with washing your clothes, living with a roommate who was chosen completely randomly, and sharing a bathroom/shower with about 20 other males, these were just some of the new experiences I got to undertake. Although some of these things were a massive learning curve for me, I loved every bit of it as I got to finally feel like a real adult with some real responsibilities.
New Faces and Places
The summer program was planned out so beautifully, with having many social activities like our first get-together in the form of a city tour to meet all the students studying abroad while also visiting all the main local attractions. As our tour was guided by NTU staff, we got to visit places like Chinatown, Little India, and the main city with the famous Merlion with my many new friends. It was so enlightening to meet all the students from all across the world, seeing faces from Canada, USA, Denmark, Switzerland, UK, Hong Kong, and so many other countries which really surprised me, opening my mind to a whole new side of travelling which I hadn’t really experienced before.
Convenience at NTU
The university displays some of the most beautiful architecture of buildings which blew me away and has everything you need right on campus. There’s a supermarket, a bookstore, an electronics store, and from memory, around 22 different food courts on the campus that offer all kinds of delicious foods from around the world. You won’t go hungry, that’s for sure. Since NTU is so large, they’ve got free buses that take you to all the important places on campus and these buses had the coolest air conditioning although this was so refreshing in contrast to the hot humid air of Singapore, it made leaving the bus messy for my glasses turning my lenses into sheets of condensation. If you need to get to an MRT train station, no worries – there are also some paid buses that can get you there in no time, making it super easy to commute to the city and other attractions within Singapore.
Nights to Remember
Some of the amazing memories that I cannot forget were those nights when me and my neighbours all got together in one of our dorms to plan trips together for upcoming days like our Sentosa Island adventure and our Yacht trip but was the most fun when had endless conversations that went on and on creating timeless bonds. Having shared many dinners together was so enjoyable, but when it was time to split the bill as a group, our inner engineering skills kicked in. We put our math prowess to the test, tackling real-life math problems to divvy up the cost, which included insanely high percentage surcharges for service charges and GST making this process 5 times harder, especially when paying in cash.
3D-Printing Exploration
When it came down to studying at NTU, I really enjoyed all aspects of it, especially when we got to go down to the labs to see the high-tech 3D printers. Despite the lengthy 4-hour classes, our professor’s captivating expertise in 3D printing kept things engaging. Getting hands-on with actual 3D-printed models was such a cool experience. About halfway through the marathon lectures, our wonderful professor would surprise us with a stash of local Singaporean snacks, which we savoured, and this became something I would always look forward to.
Overall, I think taking the opportunity to travel to Singapore for a summer exchange was one of the best decisions I have ever made, capturing some of the best memories I could ever imagine. Immersed in Singapore’s culture, I studied my passion—3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, where NTU’s advanced 3D printing facilities turned theory into practical skills which I loved. Learning abroad improved my adaptability and confidence in socialising with diverse international peers and building these friendships with peers enriched my perspective about life itself and social gatherings became hubs of shared learning.
Aiden Adam Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient
Hello! I’m Dana, and I’m currently studying Mechanical Engineering at UTS. During the winter break, I embarked on a journey to England to study at the University of Leeds as part of the Leeds International Summer School (LISS).
I have loved studying engineering at UTS, so I was excited to discover that I could take the engineering subject Fluid Dynamics in Theory and Practice at LISS. It aligned perfectly with my interests and promised to be an extraordinary learning experience. My class was small, but it consisted of many bright minds from various corners of the world. We came from many disciplines of engineering – mechanical, chemical, production, and even hydropower engineering, which made our discussions and collaborations incredibly enriching.
For my two weeks at LISS, my weekdays were filled with classes where we delved into the fascinating world of fluid behaviour and its practical applications. It wasn’t your typical classroom experience, though. We held some classes outside and in labs, conducting experiments and simulations to explore fluid dynamics in an interactive way. I particularly enjoyed an experiment where we investigated how we could produce laminar flow using water-filled balloons. Who would’ve thought we’d be playing with water balloons at university!
The social assistants (students for the University of Leeds that looked after us) were very welcoming and helpful, and organised many social events for us exchange students. This included a photo scavenger hunt around the city of Leeds, which helped me become acquainted with the city I was to live in for the next two weeks. Running around trying to find the landmarks of Leeds was an excellent icebreaker, and I was lucky enough to make great friends with other LISS students during this event.
The program allowed for many opportunities to travel, both with the university and on my own. One of my favourites was a trip to Harewood House – an extraordinary country house and garden, which we had the pleasure of exploring on our own. It was almost as if I’d stepped onto the Bridgerton set. Another highlight was my journey to the historic town of Whitby, famous for its connections to Dracula. There, I was greeted by the captivating ruins of Whitby Abbey and the massive seagulls that circled overhead, wanting to steal your food. Both were very memorable days!
Other activities included a visit to Bolton Abbey, where I took a short hike to the Bolton Abbey Waterfall with a few friends. Later in the day we headed to Ilkley’s Cow and Calf Rocks for picturesque views of the town.
Overall, my short global exchange experience was an adventure filled with fun, excitement, and plenty of discovery. I highly recommend anyone considering undertaking a global exchange to take the leap, because you’ll have a wonderful and unforgettable experience!
Dana Apoderado Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Fluid Dynamics in Theory and Practice at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient
During my winter holidays, I had the opportunity to travel to Denmark and study at the University of Aarhus. There were a variety of programmes I could choose from, but I ended up picking business intelligence from web data analytics and data mining. The thing I enjoyed the most about the experience was the cultural significance of the town. Just walking around town was interesting, I noticed that their crossing sides looked a little different. I didn’t necessarily want to stop in the middle of the road, so I didn’t pay much attention, but one day I had the opportunity to, and I snapped a photo. Instead of making a simple man who is stopped or walking, they made it look like a Viking. It was the small touches that made the biggest difference.
The course itself was really great, I really enjoyed the learning culture and structure. I really enjoyed hanging out with friends outside of class whether that was to work on the activity or go out for some drinks. Not only are Danish people really kind they’re always very smiley, and luckily very good at English. I most definitely struggled to understand Danish, and though I personally know another language, it did not help me whatsoever. But that didn’t matter. Everyone was always so helpful and really nice. There are just so many things to do and one of my favourites was visiting Deer Park. I cycled down with a friend, and we got to go in and feed the deers carrots. What was really interesting was that some of them learned how to gently rub their head on their leg to ask for food.
After that, we got a famous Danish sausage roll and relaxed on the beach. We somehow talked each other into swimming in the cold Nordic sea. Before coming, I was a bit nervous about the workload, the people, the environment and just being in a new country. But the work was very manageable, and I had most afternoons free, the exam was also relatively straightforward. I’ve already started to recommend to my friends to sign up for the short program, no one said it would be easy they just said it would be worth it.
Charlotte Armstrong UTS Business School Business Intelligence from Web Data Analytics and Data Mining at Aarhus University Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipeint
The program kicked off with my early arrival in Paris a week before the scheduled start. This gave me a chance to meetup with a university friend and together, we immersed ourselves in the Parisian lifestyle. Our hotel was in a charming neighborhood not far from the city center, and conveniently close to the university and the Parisian Business District. This pre-program week was a mix of city exploration and anticipation for the intensive fortnight ahead.
The Program
Our first official day began with a warm welcome at the university. It was a whirlwind of introductions – to the faculty, the staff, and the program itself. The aroma of fresh croissants and assorted French pastries greeted us, courtesy of the ESILV staff, who also treated us to a delightful lunch. Our daily routine for the next two weeks typically started around 9-10 am, filled with project work, student collaborations, and of course, indulging in some exquisite pastries. I often used my lunch breaks to explore the vicinity, trying out various local cafes and savoring the culinary delights the neighborhood offered. My post-university hours varied – sometimes shopping, other times exploring the city’s neighborhoods, and often enjoying dinner with friends
Activities and City Exploration
Without a doubt, city exploration was a highlight of my trip. Within those three weeks, I felt I’d changed into a Parisian. The city’s transport system became second nature to me, I picked up snippets of the language, and gradually understood the nuances of city life. Iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, The Pantheon, and The Louvre were checked off my list, and I discovered plenty of amazing restaurants and bars. A special mention goes to the French students managing the international student association. Their hospitality was unmatched, from picnics by the Eiffel Tower to city tours and lunches. Their company truly enhanced my Parisian experience, making it both fascinating and memorable.
Gabriel Bogomolets Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs Léonard de Vinci (ESILV) – Summer School Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship recipient
