Being accepted to Penang, Malaysia was and still is feeling surreal and it’s hard to believe I will be leaving Adelaide soon. I can’t wait to start my adventure around Asia and trade my life for a new exciting one in the warmth of Penang in Malaysia.

I first plan to head to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan doing some solo backpacking before heading off to Malaysia. I do feel like backpacking will be a great introduction into being independent. I am also keen to see how my first couple of days in Malaysia go and how quickly I can acclimatise, but I am excited to see how much I can grow as a person.

The two main emotions I am feeling are excitement and a little discomfort, thinking that very soon, I will be living solo in a foreign country for half a year. I often sit and think about how I am opening a new chapter in my life and looking forward to what it has planned for me and all the new things to learn and see. I know I am ready to take on this adventure, studying abroad is something I have always wanted to do. I am also super keen to meet new people, experience different cultures and religions and see what Malaysia can offer me.

I have no idea what to expect when I arrive in Penang, but I will be making the most of all opportunities and chances that come my way. I am looking forward to a different educational system, living in university housing and being so close to so much of Asia and only a train ride to Kuala Lumper.

I have been planning and researching different things to do while over in Penang and all the possible countries I could see. I definitely plan to backpack before and after my studies around South-East Asia and a few other countries. I am hopeful to make some friends who are also keen for some weekend trips to Kuala Lumper or even abroad, it is super exciting.

I plan to travel to places I have never been to before, but I am especially wanting to include Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. The best thing is that I don’t have any plans set in stone and not knowing which country or city that time will take me is very exciting!

I don’t have much time left before I leave and have so much left to plan and organise, I am sure my departure date will be here in the blink of an eye. I am looking forward to leaving and saying goodbye to Adelaide and going on an adventure of a lifetime. I can’t wait for this to happen, bring on 2019!

Oakley Tremain, Bachelor of Business (Marketing) undertook an exchange to the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia during S1, 2019