{"id":11115,"date":"2025-02-28T16:31:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T06:31:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/?p=11115"},"modified":"2025-02-28T16:31:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T06:31:55","slug":"one-semester-a-lifetime-of-memories-my-exchange-experience-on-the-other-side-of-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/2025\/02\/28\/one-semester-a-lifetime-of-memories-my-exchange-experience-on-the-other-side-of-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"One Semester, a Lifetime of Memories \u2013 My Exchange Experience on the Other Side of the World"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Akshay \u2013 University of Liverpool <\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>Semester 2, 2024<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Even though the word, exchange can be interpreted in many ways, for me this word will forever mean adventure.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pre-Exchange<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The application process for going on exchange can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster of anticipation and frustration. While QUT offers plenty of support and resources to help guide us through, the waiting game can still test your patience. To be honest, I didn&#8217;t dive as deep into researching universities as I probably should have. My criteria were simple: I wanted an English-speaking country with the chance to see snow\u2014something I had never experienced in real life. \u00a0My three options ended up being the University of Liverpool (UK), Sheffield Hallam University (UK) and the University of Calgary (Canada) and I for one am beyond grateful that it ended up being the University of Liverpool.<\/p>\n<p>Staying on top of things was simple as the information sessions were useful and if I had any further questions, I could email the study abroad team. I had even made a friend at one of the information sessions going to the same university as me so it was helpful to know that I wouldn\u2019t have been completely alone when I got to the UK.<\/p>\n<p>Another big focus for me was saving up for the trip. I knew that since I was headed to the UK, there was definitely going to be a lot of travelling around Europe, so I worked two jobs to make sure the lack of money wouldn\u2019t stop me from enjoying new experiences. With the added benefits of not having to study semester two here, I had an extended mid-year holiday that allowed me to work a lot more than usual to save up even more.<\/p>\n<p>One of the concerns I had before heading abroad was the unit selections. I\u2019d put in a lot of effort to stay on top of the units I\u2019d be taking, even preparing backup options in case there were any issues with my chosen classes. However, when I arrived, I discovered that due to timetabling conflicts, I would only be able to take three units instead of the four I had initially planned. Naturally, this caused a bit of stress as I scrambled to find a solution.<\/p>\n<p>But looking back, I realize I really didn\u2019t need to worry as much as I did. Both the study abroad teams at UoL and QUT were incredibly supportive, offering me alternative options to make sure everything worked out. In fact, I\u2019m glad I ended up with just three units\u2014it gave me more time to travel and explore, even though it did mess with my study plan when I returned. But hey, can\u2019t have everything line up for me.<\/p>\n<p>And just like that, everything fell into place\u2014the flight tickets were booked, accommodation was confirmed, and before I knew it, I was standing below the departure sign at Brisbane International Airport, ready to embark on a new adventure.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11116\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Departure-Photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Departure-Photo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Departure-Photo.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This trip marked two big milestones for me\u2014my first time in the United Kingdom and my very first solo travel experience. Stepping off the plane and into the UK, I felt excited to for this new adventure. Everything was a thrill, from the iconic black cabs cruising by, to hearing someone casually say, &#8220;Bottla of wata&#8221; on my very first day.<\/p>\n<p>My accommodation was conveniently located on campus, so the early morning classes weren\u2019t too much of a hassle. The room itself was simple \u2013 a single bed, a closet, a desk, and a bathroom. Yet, despite its simplicity, it quickly started feeling like home. I shared the kitchen and common room with five other people, though I only really interacted and got close with two of them during my stay, one being a fellow Australian from Sydney and another from Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>The classes at UoL were pretty similar to those at QUT, with a mix of lectures, tutorials, assignments throughout the semester, and exams at the end. However, there were a couple of key differences I quickly noticed. For one, at UoL, you only needed 40% to pass most units\u2014definitely a huge relief for me as an exchange student with a lot of European travel plans on the horizon. The other difference, though, wasn\u2019t quite as exciting. Attendance was taken more seriously at UoL. Each lecturer and tutor would give you a code to enter into the timetable app to mark your attendance. Thankfully, as I was only taking three units, I didn\u2019t have to stress too much about missing too many classes.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11122\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/University-Photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/University-Photo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/University-Photo.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As an exchange student stepping into second-year classes at a new university, I was nervous about making friends. I assumed most people would already be settled into their groups, and it might be hard to break in. In some ways, I was right. I didn\u2019t make many friends in the classes I was taking. But what I didn\u2019t expect was meeting people who, from the bottom of my heart, turned out to be far better than I could have ever hoped for.<\/p>\n<p>I crossed paths with so many incredible people from all over the world\u2014whether they were fellow exchange students or locals from the UK. I met them through various events and club activities organized by the university, and I\u2019m so thankful for that. Through these events, I made friends from all walks of life. Some became travel buddies I\u2019d love to explore the world with again, while others were pub friends\u2014those who I could meet up with for a late-night drink, just chatting and laughing. There were also friends who were up for things like cook-offs or game nights. I loved hanging out with all these guys because, without them, my exchange experience wouldn\u2019t have been nearly as incredible.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11121\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Polaroid-Photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Polaroid-Photo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Polaroid-Photo.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But if I had to pick one group that really made an impact, it was the group I met at a random society meet-and-greet event in my second week. It was a bunch of people who were already friends, but they still made me feel welcome and somehow made the whole place feel a little more like home.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t get me wrong, I miss everyone I met during my time there, but it\u2019s because of Aathif, Agsith, Janani, Lakshue and Setha that I felt homesick for when I got back to Brisbane. They\u2019re the ones who made sure I never felt alone, and they\u2019re the reason I\u2019m already planning my next trip back to the UK.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11118\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Group-Photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Group-Photo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Group-Photo.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As someone who spends a lot of time watching UK-based content\u2014whether it\u2019s YouTubers or films set in the UK\u2014I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect when I first arrived in Liverpool. To be honest, though, there weren\u2019t many surprises. It was easier to settle in than I imagined.<\/p>\n<p>Liverpool is often referred to as a \u201cstudent city,\u201d and for good reason. The place is buzzing with pubs, clubs, and hangout spots where university students gather. While there are families living in the city, the vibe definitely felt more student-oriented compared to Brisbane, where the balance is more family-centric.<\/p>\n<p>One thing that really stood out to me was the city\u2019s nightlife. In Brisbane, most places close around 6 or 7 pm, and if you want to go out, you need to know where to go. Liverpool, however, has a much later pace. Many students head out around 11 pm to hit the clubs, and when they roll back in around 3 or 4 am, there are still plenty of food spots open for a late-night bite. It\u2019s a whole different world when it comes to the night scene.<\/p>\n<p>Another cool aspect is the sheer number of pubs. They\u2019re everywhere, making it easy to pop in, catch a game, and hang out with friends over a drink. It\u2019s got a laid-back, social atmosphere that makes it easy to meet new people.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest difference, though, was the work culture among students. Unlike in Brisbane, where many students balance part-time jobs with their studies, I noticed that most Liverpool students don\u2019t work part-time. While I know a few who do, it\u2019s not the norm. Most students here focus more on their academics and rely on loans similar to Australia\u2019s HECS-HELP to get by.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, the transition to Liverpool wasn\u2019t as shocking as I expected. By the end of my first month, it started feeling like home in its own way and I realised that when I had returned home from my Edinburgh trip. Getting off the train at Lime Street station, I had the sense of familiarity and belonging that I felt when I landed in Brisbane. \u00a0As someone who calls India AND Australia home, I wouldn\u2019t hesitate to say the same about Liverpool.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, we reach the heart of the journey\u2014the reason I went to Liverpool in the first place: the travel! Being my first time venturing to that side of the world, I had big plans. I was determined to see it all, to explore every corner of Europe. But, as it often goes, reality didn\u2019t quite match up to the dream. By the time I hit my second month in Liverpool, I\u2019d only managed to visit Scotland and Ireland. Don\u2019t get me wrong, they were amazing places, but they didn\u2019t quite fit the \u201cactual Europe\u201d vision I had in my mind.<\/p>\n<p>Fast forward a bit, and I did finally get to tick off some big-ticket items from my travel list. I stood in awe before the Colosseum in Italy\u2014one of the seven wonders of the world. I jumped off snowy peaks in Switzerland, chased the Northern Lights in Norway, and even dodged a few fireworks in Germany. It was everything I\u2019d imagined and more, but what surprised me most was how my perspective changed by the end of my time there.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11117\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Green-Group-Photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Green-Group-Photo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Green-Group-Photo.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Initially, I felt like I wasn\u2019t using my time wisely, like I should\u2019ve been visiting more countries, checking off more cities. But by my last month, I\u2019d had enough of scouring Ryanair and EasyJet for cheap flights to yet another country. What I wanted to do was spend time in this new place that I now call home and hang out a bit more with the people I met. And looking back, I\u2019m so glad I spent those final moments with them. Even now, I wish I had more time to spend together.<\/p>\n<p>So, do I regret not visiting more places? Absolutely. There are still so many cities I dream of seeing in person. But at least this way, I know I\u2019ve got plenty of reasons to come back. And honestly, that\u2019s good enough for me.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Post-Exchange <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Now I\u2019m back\u2014back in sunny, scorching Brisbane, where it feels like the whole city is melting in the heat. And of course, I\u2019ve caught up with everyone. People ask me how the trip was and what my favourite moments were, and honestly, I struggle to answer. Because if I start talking about it, well, you\u2019re going to need a full day to hear the whole story. And yes, that\u2019s the only option. Every experience I had, every person I met, and everything I learned\u2014each of those things is equally important and deserves its own moment in the spotlight and so, as the nice guy I am, I decide to spare people the rant and just tell them that exchange was a fantastic experience that I\u2019d do all over again.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s funny how much those months away changed me, even if just a little bit. I left Brisbane one person and came back another. I learned a bit more about responsibility, how to be more organised, and how to truly be independent. Sure, I\u2019m not a full-fledged adult now, ready to dive into the world of home loans, mortgages, and car insurance\u2014but what exchange did for me was give me a clearer perspective on the type of person I am now and the kind of person I want to become.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11119\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Northern-Lights-Photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Northern-Lights-Photo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/files\/2025\/02\/Northern-Lights-Photo.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As someone studying to be a psychologist, I can\u2019t think of a better or more impactful way to gain a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me than by going on exchange. It\u2019s something I would recommend to anyone. It\u2019s not just about the places you visit or the things you do, though those are definitely important as well \u2014it\u2019s about the things that you learn as well. And for that, I am grateful.<\/p>\n<p><em>Find out how you can apply for exchange via the QUT Student Exchange\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/qutvirtual4.qut.edu.au\/group\/student\/student-life\/student-exchange\/choose-your-destination\"><em>website<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Akshay \u2013 University of Liverpool Semester 2, 2024 Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) Even though the word, exchange can be interpreted in many ways, for me this word will forever mean adventure. Pre-Exchange The application process for going on exchange can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster of anticipation and frustration. While QUT offers plenty of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1513,"featured_media":11120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6004,5280],"tags":[1242,9206,11981,213,15908,29119,5343,11975],"class_list":{"0":"post-11115","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-choosing-a-university","8":"category-england","9":"tag-accommodation","10":"tag-budget","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-friends","13":"tag-making-new-friends","14":"tag-student-life-in-england","15":"tag-study-abroad","16":"tag-travel"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>One Semester, a Lifetime of Memories \u2013 My Exchange Experience on the Other Side of the World - QUT Gone Global<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Even though the word, exchange can be interpreted in many ways, for me this word will forever mean adventure in England.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/2025\/02\/28\/one-semester-a-lifetime-of-memories-my-exchange-experience-on-the-other-side-of-the-world\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"One Semester, a Lifetime of Memories \u2013 My Exchange Experience on the Other Side of the World - 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