What have you learnt about yourself since studying abroad?

Moving from Nepal to UNE in Armidale completely changed my perspective on life. The journey started with a lot of excitement, but also real challenges. At first, I struggled with missing my family and adapting to new routines like cooking for myself and learning to budget. Over time, what felt hard became empowering; I learned just how strong and independent I could be when faced with obstacles. Being in a new country taught me resilience whether it was overcoming homesickness or handling academic pressure, I realized I can work through tough times, seek solutions, and ask for help when needed. The multicultural environment at UNE helped me build confidence. Speaking up in lectures, interacting with people from different backgrounds, and joining group activities became easier as I settled in. Meeting students from around the world expanded my view and helped me appreciate different perspectives, making me a more open-minded person.There were so many positives to my experience. UNE’s support for international students through academic assistance, events, and friendly staff made a huge difference. Living in Armidale was great; the community is welcoming, and I’ve made solid friendships from all over the globe. Being allowed to work part-time was also a bonus, helping me manage expenses while developing new professional skills. Plus, the peaceful and picturesque setting meant I could focus on my study and also enjoy downtime in nature. If you’re thinking of coming to UNE or moving abroad, my advice is to be open to change and step out of your comfort zone. Use the support services, get involved in campus life, join multicultural community don’t hesitate to ask for help, and don’t worry about making mistakes everyone’s learning together. Balance work and study, and make time to enjoy the experience, because the growth you achieve is definitely worth it. The confidence, skills, and memories you build aren’t just academic they shape who you are for life.

Moving abroad has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Coming from Nepal and having studied in India, I was already familiar with living away from my family, but studying in Australia at the University of New England has helped me grow in ways I never expected, both personally and professionally.

As an introvert, I used to be quite reserved and often hesitant to talk to people. Over time, I realized that staying within my comfort zone would only limit my opportunities to learn and grow. So, I challenged myself to step out of that shell and applied for leadership roles such as Student Ambassador, Residential Leader, and Secretary of the UNE Student Council. Through these experiences, I discovered that I genuinely enjoy leading, connecting with others, and making a positive impact within my community.

Living and studying abroad has taught me independence, resilience, and adaptability. I have learned how to balance academic responsibilities, part-time work, and social life while developing strong communication and leadership skills. The most rewarding parts have been meeting people from diverse backgrounds, building confidence, and broadening my worldview.

My advice to prospective students is to embrace every new experience, step beyond your comfort zone, and believe in your potential. Studying abroad is much more than achieving academic success; it is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Since moving abroad to study, I have learned a great deal about myself, not only as a student, but also as a person navigating new experiences and challenges. Living, working and studying in a different country has taught me resilience, adaptability and the importance of maintaining an open mind. Studying at Bond University, with its intense trimester system that runs for 13 weeks, has been both rewarding and demanding. The fast pace means that there is little downtime, and we often face situations that are outside our control, such as placement allocations, deadlines or schedule changes. Initially, this felt overwhelming, but these experiences taught me how to prioritise, stay organized, and manage my stress effectively. For prospective students thinking about studying abroad, my advice would be to stay open-minded and build resilience. Things might not always go according to plan whether it’s your accommodation, study schedule, or placement but that’s part of the experience. Allow things to happen, adapt as you go and don’t overstress about what you can’t control. Do the best you can with what you have and remember that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.

I have gained a significant amount of personal growth and skills sduring my time here. I believe that I have grown in terms of independence, leadership, and adaptability. Moving abroad to study pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to take responsibility for every aspect of my life, from managing my finances and time to making important deicsions on my own. This expereince has made me more confident and capable of handling challeges without relying too heavily an other.

Another major area of growth has been developing leadership and communication skills. Living and studying in a multicultural environment has taught me how to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, understand different perspective, and work effectively as part of a team. I have also learned to take initiative, whether it;s in group projects, daily life situation or joining clubs.

The positives of studying abroad have been immense. I’ve had the opportunity to explore new culture, make friends from around the world, and broaden my worlview. Being. in a. new environment has also helped me appreciate my own culture more deeply while learning to adopt to different customs and lifestyle., Most importantly, I’ve discovered a stronger sense fo self, understanding what motivates me, what I value, and what kind of future I want to build.

My advice is to embrace every challege and opportunity that comes your way. The first few months might feel overwhelming, but that;s where the most growth happens. Don;t be afraif to step out of your comfort zone and ask for help.