Xiaochen Sun

Dalian University, China
Exchange to Curtin University, Australia

When I heard that I could be an exchange student to Curtin University of Technology, I was delighted by this precious chance. I have finished 2 years of academic study at my home university, Dalian University of Foreign Languages, and on 19th July, 2007, I appeared on the other side of the earth – Australia – for further study.

Curtin is seated in Perth, the western part of Australia. My first impressions were that it was neat and peaceful. I felt the kindness from the local people the moment I got off the plane. It was my first time to go abroad and I had a mixed feeling of being both excited and scared at the same time. I was picked up at the airport and the man provided me with a package, with maps and some school information. I was even moved by the attentiveness of Australians when I saw a phone card in the package, which would assure my parents that I arrived in Perth safe and sound.

I enrolled in my units on Economics and Management. For the courses, what impressed me most was that Australia is so democratic that no matter where you come from, if you have the capability, you can be a popular lecturer and welcomed by your students. So my lecturers were from Malaysia, India, and local areas, each of them with their own features. I enjoyed their humour and learnt useful up-to-date knowledge.

Studying abroad is hard but full of joy. I mean that except study, I had to take care of myself. I had a goal as soon as I arrived here – to communicate more with people around me and to enjoy the mixed culture. I chose to live on campus and I soon became friends with my roommates. We came from China, India, Vietnam, Kenya, Pakistan and Australia and we lived under the same roof as if we made up a new planet on earth. Sometimes we had a house dinner and it was the time that I could taste many foreign flavours. We talked about the different cultures and some interesting traditions as we got to know each other better and better. Talking about eating, I learnt how to cook Chinese food by myself here, and I thought it was one of my harvests of studying abroad.

In my spare time, I had so many places to go and activities to join in. Vickery House often held activities to let us familiarize with people from different houses. Sometimes we just had a picnic in front of our houses, enjoying the sunshine and the honey chicken. I went to Perth city to see the buildings of Oceanian style, as well as took the bus to Caversham Wildlife Park to see the cute koalas and huge kangaroos and enjoy the natural beauty. I also joined the Perth Royal Show 2007, where I knew Perth better from many aspects and had fun with entertainment there.

I really appreciated this exchange chance and also the Cheung Kong Programme. This experience provided me with not only academic knowledge, but also cultural influence and independence. In my following second semester I will experience more and integrate into Australian community. Thank you!

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