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Bea Katrina M. Rodriguez
Exchange student from Ateneo De Manila University in Quezon City, Philippines
What degree are you studying at UTS?
I'm on exchange for just a semester and I'm taking up Management (in my home university). The courses I took were just electives for my degree but basically I took business courses at UTS.
Why did you choose Australia/Sydney?
I wanted to experience studying here in Australia since not many are given the chance to study here. I didn't want to study somewhere in Asia because I think it's better to experience a culture that's very different from ours. Also, since we are used to the English language, it wasn't that hard for us in terms of communicating and adjusting. Another factor was that I had relatives in Australia who were willing to help me out.
What do you like most about Sydney/Australia?
The place is very lovely and it was somewhere I never imagined I would stay for a relatively long time. Also, the city being very multicultural is something I found very interesting. It wasn't that awkward for the locals to see people from other cultures and my experience here was like going to different places and meeting people of different cultures all at once. Also, since classes in uni aren't everyday, it wasn't too much work for us. We get to have fun while studying instead of purely studying the whole time.
List three factors that convinced you to study in Australia.
It is a once in a lifetime experience that would surely not only teach me a lot of lessons academically, but a person as a whole. The experience is not only good for the kind of education I get, but also affects my outlook in life and the way I live my life. Independence was something very hard for me to deal with, and what a perfect chance to learn how to be independent than to study abroad away from my parents!
What is unique about studying in an Australian university?
The Australian education and curriculum is quite different from my home country. The multi-cultural experience in every class is very unique. It brings different perspectives in every discussion that makes it more enriching and interesting. Also, it was interesting to see things done the Aussie way, and to see things in the Australian perspective, which is at times different from my own.
How do you spend your spare time, whilst not in the classroom?
I was lucky enough to get a job, since I had a lot of spare time. This further enriched my experiences, having done things I would have rather not done in my home country. It was a good way to spend my spare time, meet a lot of people and learn how to deal with them at the same time. I believe this experience will also help me when I actually get a real job in the future. Also, I found a good excuse for shopping!
I also spent time with my friends, and travelled at times. We got to discover and experience very many things that we will surely remember until we get old. I also got to spend a lot of time with my relatives here, whom I wasn't that close with before.
In what ways has studying in Australia benefitted your degree/ your life?
With the time I spend as an exchange student, I experienced very many things that were beyond my imagination. It was nice to do things not everyone was given the chance to. Living in a foreign environment is very different from just a mere vacation. Actually trying to be a local has both its ups and downs, but altogether it has taught me a lot of lessons in life. It also made me realize which things were actually significant for me and which weren't. It made me appreciate the things I have and the opportunities that came my way.
Also, attending a semester in a very well-established university in Sydney will surely help me in my career. From the advantage I will have in getting employed, to the lessons I learned and experiences I had, the semester I spent abroad only benefitted my future like no other experience/achievement can.
Do you have any advice for other students who may be planning to go UTS?
I would just advise students interested in going abroad not to be scared to take risks and to take the wide range of opportunities that have come their way. It is surely a once in a lifetime opportunity that not all are given. Also, do not be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone and to experience things beyond their imagination and expectations because most of the times, these are the things that teach the more important lessons in life and the experiences that will last a lifetime. Enjoy every minute you spend abroad but be sure not to take your studies for granted. Although many things might be holding you back from going exchange, I believe that there are more reasons to go than not to.
