Wilbert

Exchanged to Monash University, Australia and University of Warwick, UK

Before, I always asked myself “What if in the first place, I study at other universities? What kind of experience and challenges would I encounter and how can they shape me differently than who I am today?” Fortunately, these no longer become imaginary questions after I discovered the exchange program in my first year.

I also found out that students can do more than one exchange. I was then shaking with excitement as experiencing the culture and the ambience of two additional universities could be accomplished; not to mention the network that could be built when meeting new friends from other countries with different upbringing and background. Ultimately, Monash Clayton and the University of Warwick ended up becoming my go-to destination.

The main reason that I chose to study in two different countries because I wanted to challenge myself in the situation where I go to completely new places and returned home with irreplaceable great memories and I clearly did.

I ventured with different kind of people, different study environment, different food, different cultures, different activities and all of these were the best experience in my university life.

Though there were times where all the application documents needed to be filled and submitted while in the midst of exam period, however, it was all really worth the hectic in the end.

During the study abroad, I realize that current generations, including myself, are so influenced by what is projected in the social media of the great western life, resulting in not enjoying the current moment to the fullest. However, people in the western world are living a different lifestyle. Their daily habit, goals, activities, and interest are completely different and they wish to live our lives as well despite having all that I have always wanted, such as having winter and summer, playing skateboard, living in western countries, living the western life. Therefore, throughout this journey, I start to understand how to just live our life to the fullest without being desirous of what others have which I believe is a precious lesson.

If I had the chance to turn back time, I would probably get involved in more activities at Monash Clayton instead of going too serious academically despite them having broader options of interesting subjects because in my opinion, education can be attained in every part of the world, experience and the timing do not.