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Helen Milan

San Diego State University in California
2008 Global Exchange student
BA in Communication and International Studies

What country/city/university did you visit for your Exchange semester?
San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA

What did you like most about the city/country you visited?
San Diego is beautiful. It's a desert city but it has everything. Great beaches, gorgeous parks, vibrant city.

The campus is amazing and so close to great beaches and the city.

There are so many bars and clubs and people are so relaxed and friendly. The Gaslamp Quarter in the city is fantastic. There are great live entertainment options every night. Music acts that you pay $100 to see in Sydney cost $20 or $30 and the band might be playing in some crazy little venue with a really intimate atmosphere.

I travelled all over the States after my uni semester. Every state has such a unique flavour, from the slow and welcoming hospitality of the Deep South to the urban bustle of New York and LA. The national parks are also incredible.

What was unique/different about the culture of your host city that differed from living in Sydney?

The little differences are constantly surprising. You have to stop yourself from constantly telling people how we do things in Australia.

People just want to show you everything they love about their city and about their country. It's so nice to see people proud of where they're from - it made me more patriotic about Australia.

People just want to show you everything they love about their city and about their country. It's so nice to see people proud of where they're from - it made me more patriotic about Australia.

List three factors that convinced you to go on Exchange.

The opportunity to apply for a scholarship. Even without a scholarship it's worth saving money for. It surprises me that more people don't apply.

I've travelled before and I know what a life changing experience it is to actually live and study in another country.

An international exchange on your CV is a huge bonus.

What was unique about studying in an overseas university?
Studying political sciences in the USA gave me a completely different perspective. It's important to understand completely different points of view, especially as a Communications student.

How did you spend your spare time, whilst not in the classroom?
There are new and interesting things to do every day. California's beaches are great - not because they are cleaner or more beautiful than Sydney (they're not) but the interesting people and fun bars and cafes along the beach can keep you entertained for hours.

Sight seeing is something you do a lot more in another country - I saw more of America than I've seen of Australia!

In what ways did going on Exchange benefit your degree/ your life?
Exchange is challenging and rewarding in ways that you wouldn't expect. Australia is pretty isolated – it's important to look beyond our borders.

It's invaluable for employers to see that you have international experience. You have probably gained tolerance, independence and maturity, as well as an intimate knowledge of another culture.

When you live and study in another country, you make friends that you will keep forever. You do things you wouldn't think to do in Sydney and you surprise yourself as to how much you can achieve in one semester.

I feel more confident to do new things in my own country. Your perspective on everything seems to change and open up. You don't walk around with so many preconceptions or expectations.

Most importantly, do you have any advice for other students who may be planning to go on Exchange?
Make lots of friends. You will be a novelty and people want to show you their city. You will make lifelong friends on exchange.

Try to do as many things as possible. Join some clubs at university and go to international exchange events. You will meet people from all over the world and learn so much about the way other people live.

Exchange is one of those rare opportunities you get when you're a student and it's not so easy to just go and live in another country for six months when you leave uni. Do it! It will be the best decision you ever make.

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