GOING ON EXCHANGE!
Today I learned that I am officially 100% accepted to the University of New South Wales for exchange in little more than 2 months. I can’t even explain what mindset I’m in right now, except one of celebration! Good thing I made great plans for tonight! But, before I go and make a fool of my over-joyous self to Vancouver’s night life, let me explain why I’ve decided to go to Australia…
This is a very exciting and rewarding experience for me. After talking with a previous exchange student who attended here for a year over coffee, I found out how life changing an exchange program can be. I was told of how universities in Australia are very accepting of their exchange students and are a very open, laid back, outgoing, outdoorsy culture.
I am interested in Australia’s rich history, I myself have ancestors from Australia and have read my great great grandfathers journal of his ship journey from the UK. The arrival of the ancestors of Indigenous Australians is also fascinating to me, with unique mixtures of language, culture, art, and customs. I would love to get the chance to paint and photograph Australia’s beautiful landscapes and interesting people. I would love to take an Australian Art History course to broaden my artistic knowledge and to greater understand Australian culture.
I want to make lasting friendships, party, learn to surf, go to the beach as much as possible and immerse myself in my artwork and the joys of travelling. PLUS visit my ex-roommate/new bestie in Singapore, plan weekend trips to places like Fraser Island and Melbourne, and NOT get chlamydia from holding a koala. That’s a fun story.
But most of all, I hope for the chance to apply what I learn on exchange to the rest of my life. I want to bring my experiences thus far in Canada (attending the University of British Columbia) and apply it to a different culture in Australia. This will teach me more then I could ever learn in a classroom or on vacation. I will miss everything and every one in Vancouver so incredibly much, but this is something I need to do for myself. The reason I’m making this blog isn’t just for recollection after my travels as a memoir, but so that I can keep in contact with everyone at home and entertain you with as many “Crazy Rebecca Stories” that I possibly can! Most importantly, I promise to be honest.
I love you all. Thank you for all your support and I’ll miss you. xxx
