Marissa from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore undertaking an exchange at Flinders University during Semester 1 2025.
In a blink of an eye, four and a half months have passed, and I am back at home. My semester exchange at Flinders has been a rollercoaster ride and I have absolutely enjoyed myself. 10/10 would do it again. I think one of the primary factors is the Global Experience team, who have been nothing short of supportive and encouraging to us. They’re always checking in and making sure that we’re settling in nicely – quite different to what my friends on exchange in other universities are experiencing.
South Australia is a bit of a quiet place, with little to no high-rise buildings which is something I am not used to, but have grown to appreciate, especially with the gorgeous sunrise and sunset views. It is so beautiful to just look at the open sea and the sunset, with birds flying across the horizon and the occasional plane in the sky. There’s just something so serene about seeing the open landscape, unbroken by towering concrete. Among the beaches here in Adelaide, Glenelg truly has my heart. Super convenient from Flinders and the city where I live, and it even has yo-chi! Honestly, if I could bring back one thing from Australia back home, it would be yo-chi.
I also had the opportunity to visit Kangaroo Island during our semester break. The stunning views from the Remarkable Rocks at the Flinders Chase National Park felt like something straight out of a movie. I was just in awe. These views – and these places – are non-existent where I come from, so I was very fortunate to have embarked on this journey to experience these in real life.
One of the things that I am most grateful for, and certainly miss, are Wednesday evenings after class. Just as I arrive down at the Flinders train station, the sun is setting, and the sky glows with a bright orange hue. You can see the sun so low, it is actually amazing. I’ve taken far too many videos of the train arriving with the sunset glowing in the background, yet somehow it is never enough to truly relive those moments.
Marissa was fortunate to be awarded a Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program Scholarship to support her exchange experience.
Photos: Sunsets at Flinders University and Glenelg
