University is like anything else in life – the more you put in, the more you get back.
You could just go to your classes, complete your assignments and exams and leave it that. Or you could give it all you’ve got and find out where in the world your thinking could take you.
While venturing outside your comfort zone can be daunting, especially if you haven’t travelled before, experiencing a different country and culture really does allow you to benefit from the power of thinking for yourself.
Stepping off the plane and into a new learning environment pushes you to challenge old habits. Whether it’s working out how to use the currency, ordering a meal in the local language or enjoying the sites around you, travel is an experience that widens your perspectives and helps you to learn who you truly are away from familiar comforts.
Student exchange
Our Murdoch Exchange Program is one way students can study abroad for one or two semesters. With more than 50 exchange universities in 20 countries, the hardest part might be narrowing down your destination wish list!
Alexandra studied Games Art and Design and decided to complete a semester abroad in Austria.
“A highlight of my course was absolutely my study abroad experience at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. I went to classes in a building made of glass, hiked in the mountains surrounding the city, travelled to nearby cities and countries, learnt some German and took part in many traditional festivals and celebrations.”
International work experience
Lucy completed a double major in Criminology and Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism and she also spent a semester abroad. Along with making new friends, the experience gave her an international perspective on her area of study.
“I spent six months at San Diego State University and I did work experience at various juvenile detention facilities across San Deigo, including at East Mesa, a maximum security facility for boys and girls near the Mexican border.”
For students like Lucy interested in getting professional experience overseas, individual short courses are a very popular option. Past students have enjoyed French Immersion in New Caledonia, Creative Writing in Oxford, Biodiversity in Peru and internships in North America, Europe and Asia.
Course-related experiences
If you're interested in international travel experiences linked closely to your degree, check out the discipline-led study tours on offer. Lucy was also lucky enough to travel to Mumbai, India, as part of the New Colombo Plan scholarship. Lucy’s advice to interested students is to apply to every program you’re interested in, as you never know what you might get into.
“I’ve gone on these amazing overseas trips and done incredible things and it’s purely because I thought I’d just give it a go.”
You may even have the opportunity to take a compulsory unit and turn it into a life changing experience. Many courses requiring a practical placement offer the option to take the placements overseas, for example Nursing, Veterinary Science and Education students have the option to take ‘pracs’ in South Africa, New Zealand, Europe and Asia.