The Sydney Opera House at night

Study Abroad Stories

Yumi is a Communications and Media with Sociology student who travelled to Sydney, Australia to spend a semester of her studies at Macquarie University.

What did you enjoy most about studying at Macquarie University?

My favourite part by far were the people I met, everyone was so welcoming and always up for a good time. I can genuinely say that I made friends for life whilst on my exchange. Also, the Macquarie University campus was beautiful and surrounded by nature. The library was a great study space that was filled with natural light, the bar/restaurants on campus were so convenient, there's a lake behind the campus which you can go to to chill in your breaks and the macquarie shopping centre is so close if you need to get anything. It is also worth mentioning that the teachers are all very passionate and even made the boring subjects seem more entertaining.

What would you say to someone to swap a semester at Liverpool for a semester abroad?

Just do it, put yourself out there and immerse yourself in a whole new culture and country, you won't regret it. It is so refreshing and inspiring to be in a new study environment and super exciting to be in a completely new country with tonnes of places to explore, new friends to meet and memories that will last forever. It can be scary at first and it can take a bit of time to settle in to get used to things but just stick it out, say "yes" to everything (in moderation) and you will honestly have the time of your life experiencing a new sense of freedom.

How do you feel the experience has benefited you going into final year and beyond?

I feel that it has inspired me a lot. I went to networking events and talks about future careers that gave me ideas about what I can do with my degree after I graduate. Also, personally, my goal now after my final year is to go back to Australia and work there for a while as I loved it so much. So I feel a lot more motivated to get my work done now so that I can go back. Furthermore, my course over there offered modules that I could not take back at home such as a journalism module that I took whilst out there. This has given me an insight and taught me skills for a career path that I intend to go into for the future.

Student looking out the window onto Sydney skyline

It is so refreshing and inspiring to be in a new study environment and super exciting to be in a completely new country with tonnes of places to explore, new friends to meet and memories that will last forever.

Yumi, Communications and Media with Sociology student

Back to: Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology