Studying Abroad

Studying Abroad

Australia was, without a doubt, the experience of a lifetime. Living on your own for almost six months, dealing with situations without the help of parents or anyone else you would typically go to when at home, really makes you grow up in a way you wouldn’t for at least a few more years. I am so much older than I was before I had gone abroad, thanks to the tons of traveling and the people I was so lucky to meet while there. Studying abroad in Australia taught me a lot about myself and gave me a worldview I would not have without this experience or would not have developed until much later. I made friendships that are so tight I would call them family, and I hold memories that I will treasure until the end of time, all thanks to simply applying for a program we are so lucky to be offered by Monmouth University. Before leaving for my trip I was excited and fearful at the same time. I could not wait to embark on all of the adventures that I knew Australia could offer, but I was afraid of not knowing anyone, being alone, and missing out on all of the events that would go on at home while I was gone. Looking back now I feel silly for allowing these worries to cloud my mind. While missing things at home with loved ones did make me feel sad from time to time, I continuously reminded myself that no one back at home was experiencing the new and amazing things that I was in a foreign country. One of the most incredible parts of studying abroad was the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. I now have some of the best friends of my life from places like Norway, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Italy, Sri Lanka, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and even the United States. Having the opportunity to spend time with people from all over the word opened my eyes to the way that things are done in other countries. Prior to studying abroad I only really knew what it was like to live in the United States, but now I have a greater knowledge of the cultures, governments, and customs of various countries throughout the world. Studying abroad doesn’t have to be a lifelong goal; I happened to stumble upon Monmouth’s study abroad web page about 4 or 5 months before I was on the plane heading to Sydney. If you have the slightest inkling that you may want to study abroad, go to the meetings and see if there if this is something you really want to do. Second, not knowing anybody can be better than going with a friend. If I had gone with one of my friends, I think I wouldn’t have had all the experiences and met all the friends I did while I was in Sydney. Third, if you are actually going abroad, know that things are going to be different in that country, but not necessarily in a bad way. Be able to go with the flow and try new things, after all you are in a different country. I will never forget my time in Sydney and am waiting for the opportunity to go back.

You know the cliché and yes I’m going to say it! My study abroad experience in Australia changed my life!

I will forever be grateful that I had the opportunity to study abroad in Australia. I would recommend studying abroad to everyone! Before I left, Monmouth’s program prepared me with a lot of information about Australia, Macquarie University, the culture, and the area I would be living in. Were it not for Australia my life would not be what it is today. I learned so much about myself and the world in general and I met so many people and made lifelong friends who I hope to reunite with again. I will always have the amazing memories of my experience abroad to look back on. For anyone studying abroad, I wish you all the best and hope that your experiences teaches you more than you could have imagined and helps you grow into the person you want to be! Studying abroad was easily the best decision I’ve made in my entire life. Ever since I was little I’ve wanted to go to Australia and I never thought it would actually happen. Some people might think it’s impossible to study abroad between the cost and all the classes they have to take, but if you plan properly it’s not hard to organize. I worked about 60 hours a week for three months before going abroad, but it was so worth it. Australia is an amazingly beautiful country. The best thing I did while abroad was traveling up to Cairns in Queensland and seeing the Great Barrier Reef. I got to snorkel and sky dive over it! Also, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge was one of the most amazing experiences. If you’re considering studying abroad – do it Studying abroad is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Within 3 ½ months, I had the opportunity to not only travel to Italy, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Hungary, France and Vienna, but to also live in one of the greatest cities in the world. From the excitement buzzing around you in Trafalgar Square, the Christmas lights on Oxford Street, the striking beauty of Big Ben, seeing the city from the top of The Shard, watching fireworks over the city’s skyline from Primrose Hill, to endless nights exploring the city and days filled with adventure, London is the most magnificent city I have ever been to and one that I recommend every single person to visit at least once in their lifetime. I fell in love with the city of London, and plan to return one day with the intention to never leave again. My decision to study abroad was the best decision I have ever made. The past 4 months that I spent in London were and always will be the best 4 months of my life. Every day was a new adventure and a new story that could be told. It was my goal to get out and go somewhere every day. Whether this was with the wonderful group of friends I made that I now cherish or just a solo adventure, I never felt alone. I absolutely fell in love with London from the moment I stepped off that plane. I knew it was going to be an

amazing experience but I had never anticipated how life changing it really would be. I met so many people from all over the world each and every day. Even walking through a place as simple as the library was a cultural experience. Regents University is an international school, so every student there is from somewhere different around the world. As you walk through the library you can hear students talking in different languages and all sorts of accents. I am so proud of the fact that I now have friends in not only places all across the United States, but also across the world such as England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Austria and France.

There’s something about London that makes you buck up and put your big girl panties on. When I first heard about this study abroad program, it seemed kind of daunting. The idea of living in an epicenter of fashion, business and theater was more than exciting. But for a girl who chose to go to school an hour away from home and called home almost every other day; being so far away from home, scared the living daylights out of me. That faithful day, my last hours stateside were some of the most nerve-racking moments of my life.