TAO Lei

Student of Zhejiang University, China
Exchange to The University of Western Australia, Australia

I am Tao Lei and I studied Chinese Language and Literature in Zhejiang University. From February to June in 2010, I was an exchange student at the University of Western Australia. It has been two years since I left Australia, and from the moment I boarded the plane, I started to miss the amazing country. I have been telling all my friends about the exotic life I had. By telling and showing pictures, I was fulfilled for the reason that I passed on the true beauty of Australia to more and more people.

What I have been telling my friends all the time is the kind-hearted people in Australia. When I could not find a place to live, a lady called Anne from the Trinity College helped me find a room in St. Thomas More College (STMC). When I was dragging my luggage on the road, a lady pulled over and asked if I need a hitch. And when I was wandering on the streets with a map in my hand, pedestrians would ask me if I need help. During the time I stayed in STMC, Janienne, Craig and Brother Bob were nice and helpful. Carolyn from the school office helped me apply for this scholarship, which was absolutely beneficial. Then I went to a party and met one of my best friends today. No words can express my gratitude. If it was not for your help, I would not have had such a nice time in Australia.

I have learned a great deal by attending lectures and tutorials in UWA. All the teachers and tutors cared about students. I learnt communication and writing skills in English. Interesting anthropology and linguistics classes were my favourite. The discussions we had about Anzac Day and aboriginals in Australia history classes are still vivid in my memory.

I am always thinking about going back to Perth. My friends! Absence to friendship is as wind to fire, it extinguishes small, it flames the great. I know we will always remember each other, and the time we had. I will never forget the time we played ping pong at midnight, the time we were scared to death when the hailstones were lashing down on the window, the time we learned to play DOTA together in the computer room...

I miss the lamb, beef steak, pasta and even the hot dogs we had after the failure of electricity. I miss the snacks, all kinds of chips, chocolate bars, nuts, and cheese biscuits. I miss Blue Mountain, Melbourne Museum, cute koalas and everything.

I am glad that I chose Australia. I have gained knowledge, expanded my horizons and made friends. And this exchange experience made me a stronger, more independent girl than before. I would like to express my liveliest gratitude to those who work for Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards. Thank you for your support which made my exchange life easier and happier. Actually, I am thinking of applying for a PhD programme in Australia. If everything goes well, I will set foot on the amazing land in 2013! 

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