Cindy spent a term in Brisbane, Australia studying at the University of Queensland.
At the Cape Byron lighthouse in Byron Bay, which is 2.5 hours from Brisbane; at Tallows Beach with my friend lab partner, Grace.
An array of various mosquito species for my Arthropods and Human Health practical, where we identify various insects for lab reports; the beautiful architecture at the University of Queensland campus.
Brunch culture is huge in Australia - this lovely meal was from Dip Café, featuring halloumi, organic sourdough toast topped with ricotta, honey, and pecans, smoked salmon, and wilted spinach with roast pumpkin. My friend and travel pal Grace ate the buttermilk pancakes on the right.
Beautiful botanical garden at the Roma Street Parklands. This place was also speckled with lizards, water birds, turkeys, and some of the most diverse plantlife I’ve seen.
Captain Cook Lookout
I trained for around five hours per week at C!RCA Training Centre, where some world-famous acrobats master their craft. I spent eight weeks working with an aerial straps instructor, and learned many new skills while increasing my strength and aerial awareness.
Brisbane is divided by Brisbane River - with a shape that I can only describe as sinusoidal. Whenever I wanted to go to “the city” (the downtown area), I would walk along a pedestrian walkway beside the river, or take a ferry!
Cindy, Kinesiology, Co-op, 3A
I’m typing this on a sunny Australian Saturday afternoon - because the snorkeling tour that I’d planned to attend was rescheduled. Instead of exploring turquoise waters, alongside colourful schools of fish, I’m writing this. My point? When will you ever get the opportunity to see hundreds of species of coral, and then pad through fine, golden sand of a pristine beach - in the middle of an academic term!?
At the first-year orientation, I was amazed to hear that students could learn and live in a different country for part of their degree. I started counting down the terms until I would finally be able to apply. When I started looking into exchange options during 2B, I planned to attend the University of Dundee to pursue a psychology minor. After a meeting with the Health Student Success Officer, however, I asked myself why I’d want to experience rainy Scotland (I’m a Vancouver girl - I’ve seen enough grey skies to last a lifetime) - when I could be soaking up sunlight in warm, beautiful Australia. I eventually decided on the University of Queensland in Brisbane, a city known for art, theatre, and markets. Thanks to Facebook memes and videos, I was somewhat concerned about snakes and spiders (to reassure you: I didn’t encounter a single one. Ants, on the other hand…).
Here are some of the highlights about my term so far:
- I’m taking a biology course called Arthropods and Human Health, where we learn about mites, ticks, lice, fleas, and mosquitos that influence human health around the world. Every week, my new friends and I huddle around microscopes to identify different species. Yesterday, the lab instructor even let me feed the mosquito larvae!
- I’ve been involved in aerial silks for almost two years, so I was thrilled and honoured to be able to train at C!RCA, home to internationally-renowned acrobats. The aerial community in Brisbane was helpful, inspiring, and welcoming, in spite of the blood, sweat, and rotator cuff tears that are almost inevitable for aerialists.
- My friend and I spent one weekend in Byron Bay, a coastal beach town known for winding beaches, stunning lookouts, and atmospheric restaurants. Although our hot air ballooning trip was cancelled, we loved kayaking with dolphins, hiking, watching the waves, and chatting over chai lattes. I ate an incredible three-cheese mac and cheese skillet with garlic breadcrumbs and fresh crab - it’s probably worth coming to Australia for this dish alone!
Of course, I encountered a couple bumps along the way. My student visa (a twenty-six page application) was approved on my third submission, which was stressful during my co-op term. When I arrived in Australia, the 16-hour jet lag combined with a heat wave that reached 40 degrees (note: my house has no air conditioning) was dreadful. My misdated health insurance caused a bit of trouble when I met with a campus doctor. At times, I felt shy, lonely, and “different”. As for the language differences? Bugger, I reckon that’d be a different for ‘nother arvo you’re keen on that, mate!
Were these complications worth it? Absolutely! Ultimately, I understand that exchange isn’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for an energizing, rewarding, and once-in-a-lifetime way to spice up your academic career (and social media page!), take the plunge. Once you immerse yourself in an entirely new environment, perhaps in a different hemisphere, you will garner newfound knowledge and appreciation for a new country - and for yourself.