LAU Tsz Yan, Sabina

Student of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Exchange to The University of Queensland, Australia

Deciding on where to go for an exchange programme has to be one of the most exciting parts as this adventure begins.

I am glad that I was awarded the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards for a six-month exchange to The University of Queensland. When I saw Australia among the list of options, wildlife encounters, sunshine and water sports popped up in my mind. As a nature lover, I chose to come to Brisbane, Australia. Without a doubt, travelling is an appealing element, but going on an exchange is so much more than exploring a new place; it is more about connecting with people.

Brisbane is everything I imagined, from the wild lizards in South Bank Parklands to the tiny geckos in my flat, from stand-up paddle boarding to kayaking, I ticked almost every "must-do" item off my bucket list.

But the one thing not on my list that brought me the most joy was bonding with people. I talked to my classmates during the first few weeks to get a sense of belonging, and friendships sprouted naturally from our conversations. I made friends who were from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Finland, Norway, and Japan. I listened to their stories, learned about their home countries, and shared their dreams and wishes.

It is in these moments when I connect with people, that I get a sense of how big the world is. There are people at every corner working hard to pursue their life goals. Our passions resonated with each other regardless of our home country, which felt magical. What makes these bonds even more precious is knowing that I might not see these people again after my exchange programme comes to an end. Even as I was revisiting some of the places around the city, I still spent time hanging out with people I met here because these might be a once-in-a- lifetime encounters.

Adventures are not just about where I am, but also about whom I spend time with.

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