Cao Ruxin

Shangdong University, China
Exchange to The University of Queensland, Australia

I think I am definitely a lucky girl since I got the opportunity to be an exchange student for one year. It is very difficult for me to describe how amazing this period of time was. Actually, it couldn’t have been better.

I began to apply for an exchange last July. After a half-year of preparation, I got the qualification at last. At that time, I had just finished my second year of study at Shandong University. My home university is a traditional Chinese-style educational institution which is very well-regarded in China and where I have received an excellent education, in the Chinese way. That is also the reason why I decided to go abroad to study for a while – to experience a totally different style of study. I want to thank my host university for offering me this opportunity.

I finally started my fantastic trip to Australia. I still can remember the first time I got off the plane – I was shocked by how beautiful Brisbane was, the clearest sky, kindest people, and the softest wind. This is like the city of my dreams.

But that was just the start of the surprise, the University of Queensland is one of the best universities in the world, and I’ve heard so many compliments about this university.

The first day I went to the university to attend the orientation week for new international students where many funny tutors and friends who came from different countries got together. What an interesting occasion! Then we enjoyed morning tea and had a nice conversation with the other students. I suddenly realized my awesome trip had now begun.

Brisbane is an amazing city, with the most famous beaches and sunshine. From the moment I got here, I couldn’t wait to see the kangaroos and koalas, the cutest ever animals in this world. When I made my dream come true at Brisbane zoo, I can’t tell you how excited I was.

Australia owns the best chocolate industry. Although I am not a girl with a sweet tooth, I indeed fell in love with the chocolate and cake here – I think I have put on some extra weight, but it has been totally worth it.

In all, life in Brisbane is absolutely different from the life I had in China before. For example, in Chinese universities, all the students live in dormitories, like the way I did in Shandong University. I lived with 6 other classmates that were very sweet because life became livelier. We got used to having nightly conversations, and having small parties by ourselves. Normally, we didn’t have to cook since the food in the eatery was good enough. But everything has 2 sides – I have to say that mode of living also has some problems, such as little privacy and it was hard to concentrate on study. Anyway, I had already adjusted to this kind of group life when I got to Australia. I have to admit it took me a while to get involved, as this was my first time to take care of myself completely – I had to arrange my own life, find a place to live, design my cuisine, and make my timetable. Even though it was hard at first, it made me feel like I had grown up and become stronger.

In terms of the study, the different language has been the main problem. I found that it was not easy to keep up with my teachers in lectures. In particular, sometimes the tutors have very different accents, so the only thing I can do is to practice my English as much as possible. I have tried my best to have conversations with Australians in English, to understand what is going on from the TV shows and internet. Later on, I found I could join the debates with the tutors or lecturers, and I am no longer too shy to express myself in public.

After solving the troubles I mentioned above, I began to enjoy life in Australia. Actually I had a trip which was too incredible for me to describe. Since I am a traveling type of girl, I spent my 3 months vacation in the south and outback of Australia.

Working on the farm during the trip was very hard, but an extraordinary experience. I never expected I could have such a fantastic story before. I met so many people from different parts of the world on the farm – they were funny and kind. Guess what was the best thing? They led a very different life, I never seen that kind of lifestyle before. They taught me a lot.

After that amazing trip, I came back to Brisbane and went on with my studies at the University of Queensland. By that time, I had totally got used to the Australian learning method.

Now I am still doing my study, and there is another 2 months before I finish this journey in Australia. I have to say I am very sad at the thought of leaving. In China there is an old saying, “there is no party that goes on forever”, there must be an end. But I have to say, this experience is really a treasured memory that I will keep precious in my mind forever and ever.

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