Motivation
I have been interested in participating in a study abroad experience for a while now, and my degree, the Bachelor of International Studies, allowed this to happen.
Personal Development
This experience not only allowed me to make lifelong friends and connections around the world but also gave me the opportunity to visit and travel to many places throughout my exchange. The incredible places I was able to visit and the people I met will be something I can look back on as a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
Academic Development 
Since I am studying German, spending six months in Germany allowed me to improve my language skills much faster than if I had stayed studying in the classroom. Personally, I was able to find exciting and new motivations to continue learning the language. A great help was not only using the language every day in daily life but also being able to practice my language skills with other exchange students who were learning German.
Professional Development
When it comes to my professional development while abroad, the increased network and connections I made have been my greatest benefit. While abroad, I was able to make lifelong connections in Germany, with people from around the entire world, and also back home here in Australia. It was an interesting realisation that, if I had not gone on exchange, my network and connections in other Australian cities would be far smaller than they are now.
Costs and Budget
I was able to keep a strict budget while abroad, ensuring I had what I needed to get by day to day, socialise in Munich, and also visit new places. Long before going on exchange, I made a strong effort to set aside savings from my work specifically for this time abroad. Additionally, while in Munich, I was given the opportunity to work as a Teacher’s Assistant, further adding to these savings.
Funding
The IGET scholarship that I received was incredibly beneficial to funding my experience. With this, I was able to cover most of my largest expense—my flights to and from Germany—leaving me with more room to save for my actual experience when I got there.
Accommodation
Through the university I attended (LMU), applying for accommodation through the Munich student network was an optional part of their online application. I wasn’t aware of any other Australian students who were not granted this housing opportunity. I was placed in the Student Olympic Village, which was a fantastic way to meet others and socialise with other exchange students on a regular basis.
Highlights
The thing I’ve most enjoyed about my time in Munich has been the opportunity to meet new people in a new city. The chances this exchange provided to connect with other exchange students and locals was definitely a highlight of my stay. The people I spent time with, as well as the opportunities to explore new places, have made this exchange an unforgettable experience.
Top Tips
The best advice I have for new exchange students is to take every opportunity to meet new people, especially in your first weeks of exchange. While it can feel daunting at first, I truly believe this was a pivotal moment for my exchange experience. The majority of the friends I made were through meeting other exchange students in September, before my classes started. I’d highly recommend, if possible, getting to your exchange destination early, before classes begin, and taking full advantage of all the opportunities that your university and environment have to offer to connect with others.
