Maggie (Sem 2, 2023)

My Exchange at Monash University

When I first arrived in Melbourne, my first impression was that it was super vibrant, dynamic and lively. There is always something to do here – whether your interests are in sports, entertainment, the arts or food. Its well-connected, safe and timely public transport system also allows you to explore different parts of Victoria while you are here on exchange.

My orientation at Monash University was held on the Clayton campus which is located approximately an hour away via train from Melbourne CBD where my accommodation was located. Upon arrival at Clayton campus, I was introduced to other exchange students from all around the world and given basic information on classes, and a free lunch provided by the friendly Monash Connect staff and students. My professors and tutors at Monash were very professional and supportive, and helped me to adjust to the new learning style showing genuine interest in my studies and goals.

During my 6 months here, I took part in extracurricular activities to make the most out of my exchange here in Melbourne. I travelled across different destinations within Australia with some friends I made here on exchange. Some places we visited were Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Yamba, Noosa, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and other various beautiful locations within Victoria including Mornington Peninsula and Sorrento.

I also engaged in extracurricular activities by joining a hiking club which also allowed me to explore more of the flora and fauna that Australia had to offer. Some of my highlights were hiking up the Blue Mountains in Sydney with some friends and seeing the Three Sisters at Echo Point Katoomba and seeing/going snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, Queensland at the end of my semester.

Another highlight of my exchange here in Melbourne has to be the food here. Melbourne – as a multi-cultural city is able to offer diverse cuisines that are reflected by the mix of cultures in its myriad of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. As a huge foodie myself, trying new restaurants, cafes and bars and unique multi-cultural dishes brought me genuine happiness and satisfaction while here on exchange.

Some challenges I faced while here on exchange in Melbourne would have been the distance between my campus and my accommodation (as it was roughly an hour or longer on certain days). However, getting up earlier in the morning to make it to my classes that were all the way in Clayton was simply the price I gladly had to pay as I was able to be immersed in the busy, vibrant and lively city life living closer to the CBD. If you are big on nightlife and entertainment, I would advise living closer to the CBD as it is able to offer you with the best opportunities for this instead of living on campus or in neighbouring suburbs further outside of the city.

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

My exchange at Monash has opened gateways into new opportunities, and future career prospects that I would not have been able to access.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

I would definitely recommend to set some time apart from your studies to explore the beautiful beaches, nature trails/hikes that Australia has to offer as part of your exchange here.

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

Some of my tips while on exchange at Monash would be to:

1) Become well informed on the public transport routes/timetables you are required to take to get to and from your classes. However, this takes some time getting used to as you are in a completely new environment! It is totally okay to get lost – just keep calm and re-route!

2) Make friends by joining clubs, participating and attending university events – make use of the resources they provide you with such as special events and meet-up sessions organised by your host university.

3) Take some time to explore the city – studies are very important however I encourage you to take the courage to explore different areas of the city or even plan a trip to a different location within Australia. Make the most out of being in Australia!

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

I did not have a set budget while I was here on exchange however I was always mindful of my spending and expenses. Having a part-time job here definitely allowed me to support my extra expenses for any other travels/trips I made while on exchange and for other leisure activities such as visiting museums, the culinary experience, and my hobbies including pilates and fitness classes.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

I would definitely recommend going on exchange. Not only do you learn more about the world we live in, other individuals from different global counterparts but it is a huge part of self-discovery – and in discovering about who you truly are, and the way you perceive things through challenging your lens on the world. In our increasingly global world today, I think it is an important trait to have an open mind, adopt a global perspective on our current issues and to constantly challenge your own ideas, change, adapt and grow to become a better global citizen.