Motivation
I wished to participate in this experience because I was seeking a challenge where I could push myself outside of my comfort zone, and it most certainly did just that. I felt as though my life in Brisbane had reached a point of stagnation, where I was imbued in familiarity and was stuck in uninspired routines. I knew that studying abroad was going to shake up my life, my routines, and my social circles, and healthily push me- making it appeal to me as an opportunity I wished to seize.
Personal Development
Living by myself for the first time in my life was the greatest source of personal growth throughout my study abroad. Never before had I had to make my meals every day, seven days a week, take out the trash, pay my bills, call a plumber, etc. It gave me a great opportunity to take responsibility for my life and gave me a newfound independence which I had never experienced before.
Professional Development
As a result of my experience studying abroad, I have come to reflect that I am far more resilient than I previously was. Studying abroad presents you with many challenges that you must overcome. Whether those challenges have to do with university, finding friends, or managing the cost of living- all of these hurdles must be dealt with tenacity and positivity. Resilience is a critical skill to have in an employee, as it shows that when inevitable challenges come up, they will be able to overcome them and keep moving, not crumble under pressure and retreat to safety.
Funding
My advice to future students on the issue of budgeting would be, to plan ahead, ensure that you save more money than you think you will need, and ensure that you budget for the fun experiences. The funding I received was a great financial boost, which helped me manage the costs of living in France. The greater sense of security this funding gave me nearing the end of my experience was invaluable.
Highlight
The greatest highlight of my experience was the people I met. Having a group of international friends was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were all uniquely bound by the fact that we were living away from our home countries and our families; making the friendships tighter in many respects.
Advice
My advice to students considering participating in this experience in the future would be to go for it and apply. Each and every person I have talked to who has been on exchange says that it was one of the most transformative experiences of their lives, and it most certainly was for me.
