Kahlia's Exchange to University of Wisconsin, Whitewater | USA
Preparation:
When I was preparing to go to the US I found the visa application process very overwhelming, there were a lot of forms and interviews and everything that I had to prepare. Murdoch did hold an information session to help students understand the process a little better which I found very helpful. I found preparing for the exchange really built my excitement for the experience, I starting preparing early on and found it much more relaxing a process because I had started early. Murdoch exchange program staff members were extremely helpful in the preparation and were happy to answer any questions that I had (I had a lot). One of the information sessions held invited students currently on exchange in Australia from the countries we were going to, I found it comforting and a lot less scary after talking to someone from the US and hearing of how much fun they were having.
First Days:
I had a bit of a rough process getting to Whitewater due to several airport delays, and getting to whitewater by Taxi was a little unconventional but all the little things that went wrong just seem to be a funny story to tell now. Once I finally got to Whitewater, the first couple of days we had international orientation, this was a great few days of meeting new people both international and US students. I loved the first week, of trying so many different things and exploring the American culture. One of the most interesting things I discovered in the first couple of days was an unexpected language obstacle between me and the America people, I didn’t realize that American’s would find it so difficult to understand the fast paced Australian accent and all of the strange different words that we used (I had a few embarrassing moments with referring to my flipflops as thongs). Over all the first few days I made the friendships with the internationals that I would keep and love throughout the exchange experience.
Unit system:
I loved the US unit system, they don’t have the Australian lectures and tutorials, they have classes, which are like a lecture and tutorial combined. The classes where easy to listen to and interactive and the professors were easy to talk to and contact if you needed assistance. I really enjoyed the classes that I took because I made sure I choose classes which interested me, I think this was an important to do in my studies because without enjoying my classes I would have found little motivation to do my work (because I was having too much fun socializing). It was interesting meeting different people within the classes and very interesting how a student from a different country learns the same career as you.
Conclusion:
Overall the experience was amazing and I am so glad that I took the opportunity to do an exchange. It opened my eyes and broadened my horizons to different cultures, experiences and people. I met so many amazing people along the way, people that I will continue to be friends with for a long time in the future. The experience strengthened development toward my future career and my personal life. I would recommend the experience to anyone that is thinking of doing exchange.
- Kahlia studied abroad at the University of Wisconsin-White Water in the USA
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