Is Travel On Your University To Do List?
Social Media reporter Brie Eyre meets with some Gold Coast students to discuss their travel experiences between Australia and the rest of the world through Griffith University.
Griffith University offers so many opportunities to travel while also contributing credit towards your degree. Such opportunities should be taken advantage of because they can provide ongoing rewards both personally and professionally. Through Global Mobility, there are multiple options catering for how, when and where you want to study.
Note: You can apply for scholarships that assist in the overall costs of exchange.
Here is a taste of what could lie ahead:
Short Term Summer Exchange:
Shona Peddell | 22 | Bachelor of Primary Education
When and for how long did you study abroad?
I completed a short term, three-week exchange program called ‘Teaching in the Netherlands’ in January, 2015. This experience provided me with the opportunity to study at HAN University and teach in three diverse Dutch primary schools.
Where did you go?
As well as studying at HAN University, this course enabled me to travel to Paris, Amsterdam and Den Haag on the weekends. This was inclusive in the course fees.
What subject did you study and what is your degree?
I studied the Dutch Education System and the diverse pedagogical strategies its schools implement. This aligned excellently with my Bachelor of Primary Education degree and has informed my own pedagogical strategies and philosophy.
What was the best part of your exchange?
My favourite component was teaching in a Jenaplan school, an education concept that is significantly different to primary school in Australia. It was a great challenge; teaching children who knew little English made it even more of rewarding and fun.
Were there any unexpected advantages/positives of the trip?
The advantages included the organised travel to Paris, Amsterdam and Den Haag. We were accompanied by local university students and this enabled us to visit attractions, cafes and other locations we otherwise wouldn’t have known about. Additionally, I was surprised to meet so many people from other countries.
Volunteering Abroad & International Internship
Zoë Keidge | 20| Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Digital Media
First, let’s discuss your volunteering experience:
Where did you go and for how long?
Cambodia, just out of Battambong, in a small rural school. We spent 10 days volunteering and had the two weekends for sightseeing.
Was this through a subject?
Yes, I did it through Community Internship, which I picked up as a business subject.
What did you do?
We were each assigned a class and taught English. My class only had school in the afternoon, so in the mornings I would be in charge of painting the pre-school to make it a more interesting and interactive learning environment. We also installed electricity. On the first day we donated our books to provide them with reading material for a library.
What were the advantages of this trip?
It was a life-changing experience. By being immersed in a completely different culture, it prepared me for the real world and allowed me to further my communication, teamwork, leadership and teaching skills. It changed my perspective and humbled me personally. It has given me a drive to continue my volunteering/charity passion for the rest of my life.
Would you recommend volunteering overseas to other students?
100%. I feel everyone should volunteer at least once in their lifetime, here or overseas. It broadens your awareness and helps make you a more rounded person. I loved it so much I’m actually going back in November with the Griffith Honours College.
-You’re also doing an internship. When and where are you doing that?
San Francisco in the US. I’m participating in the San Francisco Bay Area internship program which I found through Global Mobility. I will be going from mid-January to the end of February, a six-week program, and I will travel around before I start.
Was this available as a subject?
Yes, Creative Internship. I picked it up as a design subject as my aim is also to do graphic design while I’m over there and in the future.
What are some benefits of doing this internship?
My degree is a dual degree and isn’t as flexible regarding electives because every semester I have set subjects. So I’m doing this over the summer break to experience an international internship without it impacting on my set study. It will be different from Australia in the sense that San Francisco is a huge creative hub which is something I have struggled to find on the Gold Coast. Overall this is another great opportunity to explore the world and increase my networking abilities while experiencing life in another culture.
Was it difficult to decide on when and where you wanted to go?
Yes, there are so many options! I really found it hard to decide between San Francisco and New York, but I’ve decided I can just travel from one to the other anyway. There was a lot of paperwork involved organising it, but I’m positive it will be worthwhile because it is such a great opportunity.
Oda Marie Andersen | 21 | Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of Communication.
Where do you call home?
Norway.
Had you done any university study before coming to the Gold Coast?
No.
Was it a difficult choice to study overseas?
No, I’ve always wanted to move to Australia. I have no idea what it was that made me choose Australia, but since I was a kid this is where I wanted to end up. So when I finished High School it just seemed like the next move.
Why did you pick the Gold Coast?
I had a chat with a company named Kilroy, back in Norway, and they have a connection with Griffith. The consultant told me the Gold Coast was a beautiful place. I basically saw the beach and was on board with the whole thing.
What is your favourite part about living here?
People are so nice, friendly and just all around easy-going. And of course there is nothing wrong with the weather.
See how easy and exciting these opportunities are? For more information, check out Global Mobility.