Tokyo, as one of the top cities in the world, its unique Japanese culture attracts me to come here for exchange.
I arrived Tokyo on 16th March. When I just stepped out from the airport, the scenery of the city is jaw-dropping. Every building in Tokyo and even every single car in this city is incredibly clean! (especially the windows of the buildings).
The thing about France is that it throws you into the deep end. In Amsterdam they speak perfect English, in Berlin all university students are close to fluent English speakers, in Dublin there is no language barrier at all but in France… in France they can say “yes.” While a lot of the students in this country speak English amongst the older generations English speaking is certainly not so common. I know what you’re thinking, “Olivia…what did you expect?” and to answer you: I certainly did not expect to spontaneously combust after trying to pay my rent for the 1st month entirely in French, but that just about happened.
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Two months ago I departed Sydney for Milan dehydrated from goodbye tears, with an oversized suitcase and high hopes for what exchange would bring. Now I’m scared thinking that I’m already half way through what has been the most amazing experience of my life! (more…)
When I first got to Uppsala, there was snow everywhere and it was a dream. While it was a dream, it was accompanied with minus Celsius degree weather, which was a huge change from the + 40°C weather back in Sydney. To ease the pain of the cold, I recited the line “this is why I came to Sweden”, which has since been my mantra to help me appreciate, rather than dwell on the cold. (more…)
On the 5th of January I stood in Sydney airport quickly saying goodbye to my family as to avoid anymore-unnecessary tears before I walked through the tunnel to jet off on my exchange adventure. After a year of planning everything down to the final detail it is crazy to think I am over half way through my semester exchange in the Lone Star State. Yes TEXAS. I would be lying if I told you the majority of people I told weren’t shocked with my destination of choice all posing the question “why Texas?” And my answer is not because as they say “everything is bigger and better in Texas”. (more…)
Going on exchange for a semester or two is without a doubt the best experience a university student could have, and I encourage every single UTS student to study overseas. However, it won’t all be smooth sailing; there will be good times as well as bad times; you will be pushed outside your comfort zone and learn a lot about yourself. For me, going on exchange was the first time I had lived out of home, so getting used to messy roommates who eat your food was a challenge. Back home I was used to mum cooking dinner each night when I came home, tired from university and having her doing my washing….I was spoilt! Exchange was a bit of a rude awakening, but I managed and so can you! (more…)
I debated for days as to whether I should stick to the norm of these blogs and sugar coat my experience with tales of beautiful scenery, new friends and experiences (all relevant), but I think it is really important for anyone considering exchange to understand that it isn’t just easy breezy socialising and flirting about in a new country. It’s hard and it’s new, it’s foreign and its confronting. (more…)
Winter is very different as you could imagine in comparison to a winter season in Australia. Before I arrived in Montréal I spent two days in Toronto to visit some family and get a taste of the cold Canadian air. My cousins were my personal guides, showing off Yonge Street and some popular fast food restaurants whilst also giving me basic advice about Montréal. I went shopping with them for essential outerwear (snow boots and jacket, heat-tech shirts, scarves) and the shoes I wore all day that were brought from Australia fell apart. They were tested against the Canadian elements and failed miserably after two days.
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I have already spent more than two weeks in Japan and this is my fourth visit within two years. Nevertheless, the beginning of term is next week indeed so I can only share my fantastic travel experience with you instead of introducing my exchange university (Sophia University, Tokyo). (more…)
The biggest difficulty in assimilating to Danish culture is getting used to being in a state of perpetual relaxation. Denmark is a utopia; everything here just works. Everywhere is reachable by bicycle, your classes don’t start until quarter past the hour, the rush hour is over by 17.30 in the afternoon, and there is a great sense of communal living; everyone here is working for the collective good of the country’s citizens. (more…)
