Exchange Ambassador - Victoria H.

Profile of Victoria on exchange in Tasmania, Australia - plain text to follow

Victoria Heath

 

Exchange destination: University of Tasmania (Hobart, Tasmania, Australia)

Duration: Winter 2017

Program: BCN

High school: W.F. Herman Secondary

One word to describe your exchange?
Dynamite - It was different, exciting, & rocked my world

What was the biggest cultural shock you experienced?
HILLS! Unlike Windsor, Tasmania is VERY HILLY, they basically live on the sides of mountains so wherever I went it was always a trek.

Where was the coolest place you traveled to during your exchange?
I camped on Maria Island for a week. Conservationists decided to put all the endangered animals on this island and have them prosper away from civilization. This means that I got to see just about every endangered animal wandering around, like a Tasmanian Devil and wombats.

What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew before you went on exchange?
It is not that scary. I didn’t know what to expect once I got there, but it quickly felt like home as I became a member of the school community, and I really loved my experience!

How are you including exchange on your resume?
I will include exchange under skills, emphasizing leadership and adaptability. I also gained a lot of field experience applicable for my program, which will help me to land a job in the future.

If you were to recommend exchange to your best friend, what would you say?
DO IT. I LOVED the classes I took for exchange, they were AMAZING, but it meant less time for exploring. Planning ahead and making sure that you have electives saved for this experience or finding schools that offer classes specific to your interests and major can help to make this balance enjoyable. The exchange office will help you to make sure you find the right fit for you!

 

A sample of the classes taken and credits received:

  • Tasmania Fauna: Ecological and Evolutionary Studies = 2nd year bio credit

  • 3rd year Biology credit for classes such as:

    • Marine Ecology

    • Aquatic Botany