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My name is Anna and I am an architecture student. I spent a semester abroad at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia and it has been one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my university life so far. At first moving to the other side of the world felt exciting and surreal, however as my departure date got closer, I started to get nervous wondering if I had made the right decision. However, from the first day I landed, I was already in love with Brisbane, and this experience has helped me to grow personally and academically.
One of my favourite parts of living in Australia was the lifestyle and the opportunity to study and explore somewhere completely new. Brisbane had such a relaxed lifestyle but there is always something going on. Although I love spending time in Brisbane l, weekend trips quickly became a highlight of my semester too. My friends and I spent weekends away in places such as Byron Bay, The Gold Coast, Sydney, Noosa, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Airlee Beach, Mount Tambourine and Bali over the easter holidays. Australia’s scenery genuinely lived up to the expectations, and I know I have made memories I will keep forever.
Studying at a different university was also a really interesting experience. I noticed the teaching style was more independent, with most lectures being online and no attendance taken. The architecture studios pushed me creatively, but they also helped me become more adaptable and open-minded. My studio module was very similar to that of Liverpool, whereby each tutor had a small group where we had weekly studios and pin ups for helpful feedback.
Whilst my overall experience was amazing, there was some challenges along the way, especially during stressful assignment deadlines where I missed home or when important events happened at home. When I first arrived, I was so busy doing new things and meeting new people I didn’t have time to feel homesick at all. My parents came to visit for two weeks and whilst I had an amazing time showing them around and taking them to my new favourite places, when they left, I felt extremely homesick and didn’t think I could stay. However, after a couple days and some nights out with my friends those feelings quickly went away, and these challenges taught me how independent and resilient I could be.
I am writing this with only one week left in Brisbane and a mixture of emotions. One part of me is so excited to go home for the summer and see my family and friends but there’s another part of me that doesn’t want to leave Brisbane and the friends and lifestyle I have here. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have met such amazing people and created so many memories. Although it’s so sad to think my semester is ending, it’s comforting to know that I now have friendships and connections all over the world and people and places I can always come back to visit in the future.