{"id":4600,"date":"2017-06-09T19:27:38","date_gmt":"2017-06-09T09:27:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/qut-exchange-students\/?p=4600"},"modified":"2017-06-09T23:51:01","modified_gmt":"2017-06-09T13:51:01","slug":"the-beginning-of-an-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/2017\/06\/09\/the-beginning-of-an-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"The Beginning of an Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Destination: PHILIPPINES!<\/h1>\n

Two weeks ago now, I left Australia to officially begin the next chapter, the adventure of a lifetime. <\/span><\/p>\n

Let me tell you a bit about myself. I’m Lauren, 19 years old, travel lover, tea enthusiast and extremely passionate about human rights and international affairs. <\/span>I’m currently in my third year studying a Bachelor of Justice and I’ve just moved to MANILA in the Philippines!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The view from my apartment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am incredibly lucky to have been awarded a 2017\u00a0New Colombo Plan Scholarship<\/a> to undertake study and internships across the Indo-Pacific Region for up to 18 months!!<\/span><\/p>\n

At the moment, my Scholarship starts out in Manila, with a two month internship at The Asia Foundation in their Law and Human Rights team, before I head to Indonesia to begin studying International Relations at Parahyangan Catholic University. I’ll tell you more about that in a later blog.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
New Colombo Plan Scholarship Awards Presentation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s not all smooth sailing…<\/h1>\n

Leaving Australia, and in particular, leaving my family was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. The reality that I will be away from home for such an extended period of time really hit me hard. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After saying goodbye<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As I collected my boarding pass and started walking to the departure\u00a0gate, I started to realise that leaving on this journey wasn’t just any<\/em> adventure. This time, I was not going to be coming home in a matter of weeks or months and seeing my family again. Here I was thinking I could be cool, calm and collected, instead in a bawling mess.\u00a0 <\/span>All I could think was how lucky I am to have people in my life that make saying goodbye so difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first few days were a rollercoaster of emotions, an anarchic mix of doubt, angst and euphoria, but mostly, fear of the unknown. At times, <\/span>I’ve felt alone and so far out of my depth, just wishing I was back at home in my own bed. <\/span>However, as I’ve started to become acquainted with Manila and explore this unique, beautifully chaotic city I am beginning to feel more and more at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

So far, my first two weeks have consisted of, settling into my internship at The Asia Foundation, organising my accommodation\u00a0and urging myself to wander the city. <\/span><\/p>\n

I’ve found it a little strange adapting to the work environment here in the Philippines. The work is challenging with tough deadlines, and high expectations. Basically, I was thrown in the deep end, right from the day one.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dinner with the LAHR Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There’s no denying that taking that first step can be hard, but that first grim instance is so worth every single phenomenal experience you will hav<\/span>e.<\/span><\/p>\n

If I could give you any advice, it would be to just take a risk, and dive right in! Never pass up an opportunity because it’s a little daunting or because you’re scared of the unknown – the challenge part of the adventure!<\/span><\/p>\n

Until next time, paalam!<\/p>\n

Please feel free to connect with\u00a0me if you have any questions regarding exchange, the Philippines, Indonesia, internships, the New Colombo Plan \u2013 anything, I would love to hear from you!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Instagram – laurensventures <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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