Sunshine Coast: The University of the Sunshine Coast : Testimonials (Sunshine Coast)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by Isabella Cannon Global Education Center
Testimonial
Change Agent
Study Abroad showed me just how important it is to challenge yourself by traveling as much as possible and opening yourself up to new experiences.
— Kendall King, Fall 2013 |
How has your experience changed or clarified your aspirations for life?
It has. After being in Australia, I was able to obtain new ideas from different cultures. Many of my friends were from different countries all over the world and they helped me shape my confidence as well as my view of the world. This semester even changed my view point on traveling and has made me want to continue traveling before I head over to grad school after graduation. Even now, I am trying to become an Au Pair so I can learn more about living in a country and their idea's on speech therapy before I head off to grad school for Speech therapy.
— Julia Giordano, Fall 2015 |
Change Agent
One way living in Australia has changed my life aspirations is that now I have the desire to work in another country after I graduate. This was never really something I put much thought in to. However, I met so many people in Australia from the U.S. on working visas. It was great experiencing the educational system of another country but now I'd like to go back and experience the work environment.
— Tyler Nadeau, Spring 2015 |
Interesting Course
Understanding Cultural Diversity
— Brittany Morris, Fall 2013 |
Tell us about the most interesting academic component or course you took on this program.
My favorite class I took there was Abnormal Psychology. The profession was fascinating and was able to question her own field and disagree with specific details and rules in her field. Every day in class, she would compare the Australian psychology field to the American psychology field. She even brought to light a subject that changed my view point. This was about dyslexia which I was diagnosed with when I was growing up. She talked about how there are not studies that prove that this is a thing because they show that there is always something else causing the dyslexia. Normally that would bother me, but instead I went to her and discussed the studies and it eventually made sense that the reason for my learning disability was not dyslexia but a my processing issue that went along with the dyslexia. I even explained to her that I want to be a speech therapist and how she thinks I will make more changes in children than any psychologist ever can. I'll never forget that women because she taught me to question my own ideas and beliefs even when they are backed by some facts.
— Julia Giordano, Fall 2015 |
Interesting Course
My creative industries class was unique. My favorite project that we did revolved around the concept of the TV show, Shark Tank. We had to come up with a new idea and sell it to an "investor". We did everything from logo design to market research to promotional advertisements.
— Tyler Nadeau, Spring 2015 |
Unique Aspect
I met and befriended so many people from other countries, not just the ones from the country I was studying at. It got me to learn more from other cultures not just Australian cultures.
— Kendall King, Fall 2013 |
What was a unique aspect of this program, and how did this affect you or your experience?
This program wanted you to be independent in your decisions in terms of academics, and adventures. You had to plan everything yourself and reach out on your own to teachers and different people.
— Julia Giordano, Fall 2015 |
Unique Aspect
One thing I was not expecting but was pleasantly surprised by was the fact that there were so many international students at USC. I had friends from Canada, Norway, Germany, New Zealand, India, and France.
— Tyler Nadeau, Spring 2015 |
Share
I learned how independent I can be with traveling.
— Brittany Morris, Fall 2013 |
How has your experience affected you personally?
After studying in Australia, I realized that before hand, I was very reserved in telling people how I think and feel about other issues because I didn't want people to think of me differently than what they do now. Having friends from all over the world who were not reserved on specific subjects, helped me bring to light what I believe is right and wrong. From there, it doesn't bother me about what other people think of me. I am still able to take into mind other people's opinions, but I also am not afraid to express how I feel anymore because having a voice shouldn't just be a privilege.
— Julia Giordano, Fall 2015 |
Why should Elon students participate in Study Abroad or Study USA, and specifically on this program?
To me, Study abroad was able to broaden my horizon in terms of knowledge. Yes you can gain knowledge without leaving the United States, but study abroad allows one to questions their own ideals and bring in new ideas to the United States. Countries all over the world encourage their citizens to travel the world for study. Only now is the United States seeing how beneficial it is to have citizens travel. The more we travel, the more different countries can understand each other's cultures and ideas. Traveling is the key to solidarity and tolerance in my mind. USC has many international students from all over the world and it is a great start for students who want to experience different cultures but still want to stick to the english language. Even the science majors I recommend to come to USC because you have a different perspective on health. Science it pretty universal, but practices are different which is what many scientist need in order to expand their own ideas.
— Julia Giordano, Fall 2015 |