I still remember completing the numerous forms for my exchange experience and ranking UNSW as my very first choice. Many people asked me: Why Australia? Why UNSW? Why not take the chance to go somewhere further away? My answer to them never changed and here is why.
The University of New South Wales was the first choice on my list because it is a world-renowned university and is part of the prestigious Group of Eight research-intensive universities in Australia. Not only that, even though it only has a short 59 year history, many people have recommended it for its superb Psychology Department so being a major in Psychology, I wanted to experience what it was like to be part of this prestigious university.
I remember stepping into UNSW on my first day and I just stood in awe. The first few days of school flew by and before I knew it, I was already into my first month in school! UNSW did plan quite a few trips for international and exchange students, which I quickly signed up for. These included the trips to Blue Mountain, Hunter Valley and Jenolan Caves. The trips allowed me to make new friends from all over the world and I still keep in close contact with many of them.
Focusing more on the academic side of things, the professors were really helpful and I was surprised when the students addressed them by their first names. This sense of familiarity and personalized help really made me open up more in class allowing me to share and gain more from my felllow students and tutors. The students I met in my tutorial classes were helpful and friendly, which made me feel really welcomed. This definitely did ease of the pressure as I was afraid that I would be alone with no one to turn to for academic help.
Well don’t just imagine the possiblities that could happen, stop thinking about the “if’s”, just get on down to applying for an exchange in UNSW and experience first hand for yourself, what it really is like to be in Australia.
