CHEUNG San Yu, Samuel

Student of Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
Exchange to University of Wollongong, Australia

Hi I am Samuel! Every time when I recalled the memory of my stay in Australia, I could still feel the excitement. It was the most special time in my university life, everything was unexpected and rewarding.

The first unexpected thing was the university culture. During my time in the University of Wollongong, I learned to study in a totally different way. The physical setting of the campus was so relaxing, it is just like a leisure park. Its common area on the big lawn was full of laughters and chilled conservations. Pace of life was slow comparing to Hong Kong that advocates 'play hard, work hard' lifestyle.

It was not an easy task for me, but I was happy to get into the Aussie culture progressively by grabbing a cup of coffee with my foreign friends, travelling along the south coast in spare time, or taking a deep breath on the beach of Blue Mile, the tourist spot of Wollongong. Comparing to Sydney and other metropolitan cities, Wollongong was more like a small and quiet town. Yet, the simple life allowed me to have detailed observation on western communities and natural environments. It enabled me to feel every moment of life with my heart, I seldom have such experience in Hong Kong.

Another unexpected reward is the wanderlust. I launched my first solo travel around Australia in the last month of the exchange. It was an unprecedented experience in my life as I had never imagined myself to be a solo traveller! From visiting the capital, the Red Centre to the tropical northeast of Australia, I have broadened my scope of horizon with new stories, such as having good times with other backpackers of different nationalities, or overcoming emergent situations. I am grateful to have such experience at my young age.

It is hard to tell the whole story in a few paragraphs. I believe that the exchange experience is so valuable for my personal growth. Here I would like to express my sincere gratitude to CK Group and Australia Government for their sponsorship and the opportunity they offered to me. I hope many more students can enjoy it.

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