{"id":3367,"date":"2016-12-19T16:29:20","date_gmt":"2016-12-19T05:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/international.flinders.edu.au\/?p=3367"},"modified":"2016-12-19T16:29:20","modified_gmt":"2016-12-19T05:59:20","slug":"sombre-yet-exciting-conclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-exchange-experiences\/2016\/12\/19\/sombre-yet-exciting-conclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sombre yet Exciting Conclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"

As my time in Calgary comes to a close, I still can\u2019t quite grasp the fact that my days are truely\u00a0numbered and counting down. The rapidity and velocity of this experience has been very\u00a0unexpected. In hindsight, I remember being so focused on how long five months away from home\u00a0will be, and now I understand that like other people say: it goes damn quick. I think that looking\u00a0back on my time here, I am proud of what has been accomplished and have a few points of advance\u00a0for people thinking of travelling abroad.<\/p>\n

Firstly, do not waste any time. In all honesty, I may have spent a few long nights franticly\u00a0writing an assignment to get it somewhat completed and out of the way. In return for this odd night\u00a0of sleep deprivation, I was rewarded with a multitude of free days that were utilised by doing\u00a0something not possible back home. These could range from casually strolling through the now\u00a0arctic<\/em> town, weaving in between stores to survive the below -25 degree temperatures, all\u00a0the way to spending the day in the neighbouring town of Banff, snowboarding for charity on a\u00a0special two-dollar lift pass (Yes\u2026you heard me, two dollars for a whole day of skiing). A new and\u00a0exciting activity should be sought after every day off, as before you know it you’re on a plane back.<\/p>\n

Secondly, meet as many new people as possible. If you start a class, begin talking to\u00a0someone before it starts. In each of my classes I have met at least one person of whom I would\u00a0converse with and often meet outside of class. Sometimes it can help with assignments if you are\u00a0unsure about something. It is a lot easier to send a message over Facebook than seek out the\u00a0lecturer. Staying on residence also helps out a lot with meeting new people. Events are always being\u00a0held and it makes it incredibly easy to meet people from all over the globe. After the first week or\u00a0so into my stay, I participated in a group walk around the city and the people I met there have\u00a0become some of my strongest relationships.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, if you are thinking about travelling overseas for university then I have one thing to\u00a0say: DO IT! I am both sad and excited to be leaving; Friendships that have been made will be\u00a0missed and old ones to return to and rekindle will be a joy. if I had the opportunity to go on\u00a0exchange again then that answer would be an ecstatic \u2018yes\u2019.<\/p>\n

Oliver Kingsley, a\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Bachelor of Arts- Enhanced Program for High Achievers<\/i><\/b><\/a>\u00a0student,\u00a0Semester 2 2016 exchange at <\/i><\/b>University of \u00a0Calgary<\/i><\/b><\/a>, Canada\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n