Photo: Sugarloaf, Hallet Cove
Yena from Kyung Hee University, South Korea, undertaking an exchange at Flinders University during Semester 2 2025.
It feels as though I just came to Flinders the other day, but surprisingly, it has already been two months. I am originally from Seoul, which is a very busy city with dozens of buildings everywhere. Whenever I wanted to enjoy the ocean, I would have to ride the subway for almost an hour and a half before reaching the nearest beach. Therefore, when I found Flinders on Google Maps and saw that there was a sea nearby, I quickly made up my mind and applied.
While being in Flinders, I have seen the ocean, and have witnessed breathtaking sunsets more than ever. I can even observe the sunset from the dormitory terrace. In the first week I came here, the weather was exceptionally nice and every day I found myself taking a sunset photo, simply because it was just too beautiful. I also now enjoy watching stars during every night, which would be very hard to do in a big city like Seoul.
Before coming here, I never realized that I enjoyed taking pictures. Now, I think it is fun and exciting. I always wanted to find what I liked and enjoy, and now I feel like I have added to my happiness.
There is a place at Hallett Cove called Sugarloaf, which is formed like a small volcano. The beach is full of different types of shells and stones. I could spend an entire day just looking at all of the shells and stones and would never become bored. The nature in Australia is truly amazing and while being here, I feel strange-but in a good way.
Had I stayed in Korea, or not left for that matter, I would have never known that these amazing things existed. I truly believe that the purpose of being an exchange student is to find and recollect things like this. Although, it was not necessarily easy to prepare, and to come to such a far place by myself, I am so glad that I did. This experience, I will keep for a lifetime. I know I will miss this place immensely in the future.
Yena was fortunate to be awarded a Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program Scholarship to support her exchange experience.
