Kota ISAYAMA

Student of Saga University, Japan
Exchange to La Trobe University, Australia

The reason I went to Australia as an exchange student was that I wanted my life to change – I thought my life was ordinary and I was looking for something exciting. My hope was to study abroad and for things to change in a positive way. As I reflect now, I can see that Australia was my destiny. Studying and making friends in Australia completely changed my life for the better.

In the first five months of exchange, I studied English at La Trobe University, Melbourne. At first I regretted studying at such a basic level however, it was a great experience to learn grammar and essay writing thoroughly. Had I not been in the language school, I would not have prepared myself for other courses at University.

Language school also allowed me to make a lot of close friends - there were many foreign students who were not familiar with Australian life in the course. Being in a similar situation, we formed great friendships with each other quickly. I still keep in touch with these people today.

In the second half of my exchange, I studied in the Faculty of Economics at La Trobe University. Economics was something I hadn’t studied in Japan but had wanted to. Through this I learnt French, maths, philosophy and physics. All the classes were extremely hard but were taught by teachers with lots of experience which made it exciting.

In different classes, I had the opportunity to meet and make different kinds of friends, who belonged to different faculties, different parties, and were of different nationalities. I also really appreciated the professors for helping me to form those relationships.

Through the year when I was in Australia, I fully enjoyed both my academic and personal/social life. I went to dinners, parties and on trips, which were not only fun but a good opportunity to improve my English.

If it wasn’t for Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards, I couldn’t have enjoyed such an experience. I was in short of money in Australia, so the scholarship was really helpful. In addition, I decided to study abroad again and get a Master degree – and that's what I am doing now.

It was because of this incredible experience, that lasted a year, that I found the strength and courage to take on a new challenge and study further. I believe that my trip to Australia changed my life totally and it has encouraged me to take the next step.

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