USA – Victoria
Student: Victoria
Course: Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication
Program: Trimester exchange
Describe the city you were living in: the landscape, the culture, the weather etc.
Living in New York City was unlike anything I had ever experienced. When I first arrived, it was the middle of winter, and the cold was definitely a shock coming from Melbourne. Despite the freezing temperatures, seeing Central Park covered in snow felt magical – it looked exactly like something out of a movie and made those first few weeks incredibly memorable. As winter turned into spring, the city completely transformed. The warmer weather brought everyone outside, with parks, cafés and streets buzzing with people enjoying the sunshine.
What I loved most about New York was that there was always something new to discover. Every day felt like an adventure, whether I was walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, spending an afternoon in Central Park, shopping in SoHo, or simply wandering through different neighbourhoods without a destination. The city's energy, diversity and vibrant culture meant I was never bored. Every street had its own personality, and there was always something happening, making New York an exciting place to call home for a semester.
How did you decide which study abroad opportunity to do?
Choosing where to study abroad was actually one of the easiest decisions I made because I had always dreamed of living in New York City. There was just something about the city that had always drawn me in. Its energy, diversity and endless opportunities made it feel like the perfect place to experience life abroad.
Another major reason I chose New York was my passion for fashion. As someone studying Marketing and Digital & Social Media, with the goal of working in the fashion industry, being surrounded by one of the world's fashion capitals was incredibly inspiring. From the street style and iconic shopping districts to the creative atmosphere and fashion culture, I knew New York would provide experiences I couldn't get anywhere else. Looking back, choosing to study there was one of the best decisions I've made, both personally and professionally.
What is the one big thing you will always remember from your experience? Or one big lesson that you learnt?
The biggest lesson I learnt from my exchange was that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought. Moving to New York City for four months was completely outside of my comfort zone. Before this experience, I had never travelled by myself, let alone moved to a new country where I didn’t know anyone. The idea of starting over in such a big city was both exciting and intimidating, but it became one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Throughout my exchange, I challenged myself to try new things, meet new people and embrace every opportunity that came my way. I created lifelong memories, met incredible people from all over the world, and experienced things I never could have imagined. This experience gave me so much confidence in myself and showed me that stepping outside my comfort zone can lead to the most rewarding experiences. It also confirmed my love for New York and inspired me to pursue the possibility of moving there in the future.