Autor: Amelie Wise | Major: Biomedical Engineering | Semester: Fall 2024

Visiting one of Australia’s most iconic marsupials at a wildlife reserve.

Each day this past semester I woke up in Sydney, Australia, and discovered how a semester abroad could change both my education and outlook on life. What piqued my interest in an exchange program at the University of Technology Sydney was the unique opportunity to immerse myself in a diverse and culturally vibrant city while also staying on track with my academic goals. Spending an entire semester abroad allowed me to fully experience the city, along with other parts of beautiful Australia. The program ensured I could continue earning credits for my degree, which is important to me since biomedical engineering has a very intensive, structured course plan. I also had the chance to enroll in classes that were unique to UTS, providing a fresh and exciting perspective to my education. This combination of cultural immersion and academic enrichment made studying abroad in Sydney a simple and exciting decision.

Located in the heart of Sydney’s city central area, UTS provides a vibrant and dynamic environment for learning. Several of my classes focused on practical skills essential for my career in biomedical engineering. Some of my highlights included working on a research assignment that became a research poster presentation, a project where we designed and prototyped an improvement to an existing biomedical device, and a class that explored the future of bio-based materials and their applications. Beyond the classroom, the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) at UTS organized networking nights and introduced me to their innovative projects, such as developing a bionic arm. These events were valuable in connecting me with professionals and peers in my field. Moreover, UTS provided academic programs geared specifically towards international students. It was so rewarding to complete the UTS BUILD program and partake in the UTS SOUL program. BUILD developed my global leadership skills and connected me with people from around the world, whereas, SOUL emphasized volunteering and community engagement. Both programs allowed me to understand the social dynamics of the city and broaden my cultural perspectives.

Outside of academics, I was able to explore so much of Australia. From the stunning Blue Mountains National Park to Sydney’s iconic beaches, all within a two-hour radius of the city center, day-to-day life in Sydney was full of activities. I’m going to miss how nice it was to use their public transport to explore Sydney, the national parks and botanical gardens, neighboring cities (such as Katoomba, Wollongong, Kiama, etc), museums, night and day markets, beaches, coastal walks, and the many events happening all the time.

Beyond Sydney, during the semester, I got the incredible opportunity to join the university’s ultimate frisbee team and compete in Uni-Nationals. With them, I got to visit Australia’s capital city of Canberra for an entire week. It was such a fun way to make new friends and meet other university students outside of UTS. One of my all-time favorite trips was traveling to Cairns during the mid-semester break (aka “study vacation” or “stuvac”) to see the Great Barrier Reef with some other exchange students I had become friends with. It was absolutely stunning, and unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. After the semester came to a close, I traveled to Tasmania, where I hiked through beautiful landscapes and learned about the rich history of Hobart and Launceston. I also stopped in Melbourne, and enjoyed the city along with some delicious food. I feel so incredibly grateful to have experienced so many facets of Australia, and it made my experience even more rewarding.

I learned a lot while studying abroad, but something that’s stuck with me was the independence and confidence I gained. I had a lot of “first time doing this by myself” experiences, from something as big as traveling alone to smaller things like taking the train for the first time. It was scary and challenging, but at the same time incredibly exhilarating and rewarding. I was honestly surprised how quickly I settled into life in Sydney. After the initial culture shock wore off, I even caught myself referring to Sydney as “home” when I was traveling. There were still moments of loneliness, though, being so far from home and facing new challenges. However, I met so many incredible people, including other exchange students, who helped me create my second home. I’m so grateful for the friendships I made, and I hope to reconnect with them in future travels.

For students interested in studying abroad, my advice is do it! Do it even if you’re nervous or scared. Embrace the experience fully — be prepared for challenges, be open to incredible opportunities and experiences, and be open to new friendships. My study abroad experience has truly shaped me in ways I never imagined, and I’m so happy and grateful for everything I experienced and everyone I met.