Swimming with wild dolphins, feeding kangaroos, and meeting people from all over the world were just a few of the highlights for Alison, a Kinesiology student who took part in an international exchange at the University of Western Australia.
With her travel guide (and her plug adaptor!), Alison went on the adventure of a lifetime. “Going on exchange was the best decision I made in my entire university career,” she states. She had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world including people from Europe, Africa, and the United States. As Alison explains, “they became the best travel buddies I could have asked for.”
During a break, Alison rented a little red car with friends and travelled 3000km along the west coast from Perth to Broome. During this excursion she witnessed beautiful beaches, experienced the outback and even rode a camel! In addition to this road trip, she also went to Brisbane, Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Sydney, and a resort on the Northwest coast of Australia called Monkey Mia; where she got to swim with wild dolphins.
At the University of Western Australia Alison had the chance to take courses that reflected her interest in rehabilitation. Her favourite class was Motor Development and Dysfunction. “I was paired up with a child who was diagnosed with a developmental movement disorder and I had to plan a 10-week program to teach the child simple land and aquatic skills like running, hopping and floating in the water. I was able to observe the symptoms described in class and then find a way to help the child correct the problem,” she explains.
The international exchange has had a profound impact on Alison, and has instilled the desire to see more of the world. “I’ve caught the travel bug and can’t wait to go visit all of the friends I made in Australia in their home countries!” She also explained, “Even after four months, I’m still not satisfied I’ve seen all that Australia has to offer, and I still need to learn how to surf!”
When asked what advice she would give other students considering an international exchange she replied, “Do it! I have never met anyone who has said they wish they’d never gone on exchange - and if you go to Australia, remember to bring sunscreen!”
