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Hey everyone! My name\u2019s Thorn Horwell, and I\u2019m currently studying a Bachelor of Information Technology at QUT. Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a semester abroad at San Francisco State University (SFSU), and honestly, it\u2019s a chapter of my life I\u2019ll never forget.
\nI chose San Francisco for a few simple but powerful reasons. As a city known for its rich queer history, vibrant culture, and position as a global tech hub, it felt like the perfect place for me both personally and professionally. I wanted to immerse myself in a city where innovation meets individuality, and San Francisco offered just that.<\/p>\n
Touching down in San Francisco was surreal. The city has this electric, slightly chaotic energy about it. One minute you\u2019re walking past rainbow-painted crosswalks in the Castro, and the next you\u2019re watching the fog roll in over the Golden Gate Bridge. SFSU itself had a really diverse and welcoming campus. The student culture felt super laid-back but also open-minded, which made it easier to meet people from all walks of life.
\nOf course, settling into a new country wasn\u2019t without its challenges. I definitely struggled with homesickness at times\u2014 missing my friends, family, and even the small comforts of Australia. But I learned quickly that leaning into new experiences and saying \u2018yes\u2019 more often than \u2018no\u2019 was the key to getting the most out of exchange life.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest highlights of my exchange was becoming President of the International Education Exchange Council (IEEC) at SFSU. This student-led organization was all about bringing international and domestic students together through social events, trips, and meetups. Leading this group was an unexpected opportunity that pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me build leadership skills, and introduced me to some of my closest friends from the exchange.
\nFrom organizing bonfire nights at Ocean Beach to Botanical garden walks and Watching baseball games at the iconic Oracle Park, IEEC made me feel like I was part of a family in a city thousands of kilometres away from home.<\/p>\n
If you get the chance to travel during your exchange, take it. Over spring break, I headed to Cancun, Mexico with a friend I met through campus living, and it was an absolute blast. Crystal-clear beaches, cenote swims, and nights out dancing to reggaeton made it one of the most memorable weeks of my life.
\nBack in San Francisco, I made the most of my time in the area by attending Classic Excursions to places like Napa Valley for wine tasting. It\u2019s amazing how much you can see and do when you say yes to spontaneous adventures.<\/p>\n
My biggest piece of advice? Embrace the challenges. There will be moments where you miss home, moments where you\u2019re navigating cultural differences, and moments where things don\u2019t go to plan. Those are the moments that shape you.
\nIf you\u2019re considering San Francisco or anywhere abroad for that matter, throw yourself into every opportunity. Get involved in campus life, travel when you can, and don\u2019t be afraid to step up and lead. You\u2019ll come back a little braver, a little wiser, and with stories to tell for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n
If I had to sum up my exchange in one sentence, it would be: \u201cIf you never leave your town, you can\u2019t say you\u2019re from there.\u201d
\nLeaving Brisbane for a semester gave me a fresh perspective on the world, on my own capabilities, and on the kind of future I want to build for myself. And for that, I\u2019ll always be grateful.<\/p>\n
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