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Fraser GRAY
Student of Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Exchange to Ritsumeikan University, Japan
It is difficult to capture exactly what makes exchange such a remarkable experience. It is not that there are not any good things about it; in fact, the problem is that there are too many to choose from! Therefore, it is difficult to pinpoint the ultimate good within a sea of fantastic experiences. Perhaps, it could be all the fantastic places and food I was able to experience. From the udon at Mt. Fuji to the ramen in Fukuoka, Japan was always able to delight my senses. Although, it could be the cultural differences that make exchange experience so fantastic.
Japanese culture was certainly a delight; it melds a strict honorable respect with artistic passion that I have not seen the replication elsewhere in the world. Cultural immersion is the way you learn about the world, it opens your eyes to the complexity and beauty of the place we live. The experience of meeting different people along the journey is also valuable. During my exchange, I met people from across the globe from Europe, the US and Asia and they each taught me something more about the world. Most of these people have had a profound impact on me and I shall treat them as my friends forever. Is this the essence of what makes exchange great? Is it culture? Is it the fun experiences? Or is it something that ties them altogether?
For me, the fundamental fantastic thing about exchange was how it facilitated me to develop into a mature person. It was not just a physical journey, but also a journey of one's inner self, fascinated and inspired by the places I went, the culture I experienced and the people I met. Exchange has helped me to grow as a person and I cannot thank the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards Programme more for supporting me to better myself.
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