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How far would you go for the experience of a lifetime? Arden knew staying in one place wasn’t enough. His passion for travel led him to spend a year on exchange at Louisiana State University. From embracing the American college experience to competing in intramural sports and taking spontaneous trips, he made the most of every opportunity.
Arden knew that spending his entire degree at home wasn’t enough for his desire for adventure. His passion for travel and new experiences led him to consider an exchange year in America.
The social scene and experience of American College students can be intriguing, especially after seeing in it films and TV shows. For Arden, he knew he wanted to experience it firsthand. Arden set his sights on Louisiana State University (LSU) in the United States and decided to spend a year on exchange as part of his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.
“I love travelling, and this was an amazing opportunity to meet new people, see new places and experience another culture.”
The Go Global Team at Curtin played a crucial role in helping Arden prepare for his exchange. Although it may seem like a documentation and admin heavy preparation, Arden felt supported by staff and was prepared far beyond the paper, with preparation on culture shock and what differences you could expect.
Financially, Arden received a $7,000 loan and a $1,000 grant from Curtin, which helped make the experience possible. On top of that, Arden worked the whole year prior, wanting to save up as much as possible, so he could travel outside of the exchange semester.
Upon arriving, Arden quickly noticed the differences between university life in Australia and the US.
“University life in the US was completely different from Curtin, but my perspective hasn’t really changed on either university. I do appreciate both universities for different things. I believe the social culture at LSU made the experience more enjoyable because you’re constantly interacting with people. But academically, Curtin has a higher standard of learning, and I appreciate it for that.”
Despite the changes, Arden didn’t view these as challenges when settling in. His host university’s international student orientation connected him with other students on his first day. He also found that group assignments were a great way to meet people in classes, similar to Australia.
“Group assignments were initially a bit awkward because I was the only non-American, but after a few days of hanging out, we all became friends. You just have to put in some effort to break the ice.”
To further break into the social scene, Arden immersed himself in social and extracurricular activities. His host uni held everything from cooking fairs to rock climbing classes, as well as intramural sports.
“I joined all the team sports competitions with my mates—water volleyball, pickleball, indoor soccer, and basketball. Competing against other students was a great way to meet people and make university life more enjoyable.”
Exchange wasn’t just about academics and social events though, as Arden also took full advantage of travel opportunities. The School organised nature hikes and spring-break camping trips, covering a wide breadth of students and interests.
“One of my most unforgettable moments was when Travis Scott performed at a bar on a random Wednesday. But the biggest highlight was spring break. My friends and I went to Mexico for a week.”
Arden’s exchange experience sparked a deeper love for travel, leading him to take a gap semester and backpack from Mexico to Colombia. For four months, Arden saw many different cultures and travelled to places he didn’t even know existed.
“My favourite was a tiny island off the East Coast of Honduras called Utila, where I got my scuba diving licence.”
Arden’s advice for anyone who considers doing an exchange program?
“If it excites you, do it”
He says that while travelling, especially alone or for the first time, is nerve-racking, it may be one of the best years of your life. He knows that programs like these can help you to gain confidence, improve your interpersonal skills and see the world from a different perspective. Arden has also noticed how much employers value cultural awareness and a second language, which he learned thanks to his college friends and my travels.
For Arden, the exchange wasn’t just an academic experience, it was a life-changing adventure.
Is an exchange semester something you’re interested in? Take the leap and explore your study abroad opportunities by visiting our website.
