Study Abroad Exchange Report
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (USA)
Before I had even considered the Study Abroad Program, a fellow student told me that she didn’t
want to be one of those people who “spends their life not doing what they love on the bet they can
buy themselves the freedom to do it later.” Therefore she was choosing to spend the next year of her
life travelling and enjoying being young. In a similar situation to her, I was also confronted with a lifeadjusting decision. There was the possibility to start a career and take on the host of responsibilities
that accompany entering fulltime work, I could travel and take in a bit more of the world, or I could
remain a student for one final semester and study abroad.
After recognising that a university exchange wasn’t something that I could buy myself the freedom
to do later, I, although two weeks after the official application deadline, applied to study the spring
semester at Arizona State University. In a few months’ time I would come to learn that the wrong
decision here would have led to missing out on the biggest opportunity of my life.
Now I could write a report about how studying at ASU improved my career prospects and taught me
invaluable skills in my vocation, but that would be one, generic; and two, something that any other
study abroad university probably could have done for me. Instead, I will impart with you how my
American experience helped me grow as a person and gave me clarity in regards to my goals after
finishing my studies.
My friends for the next five months at an ASU basketball
game.
Having done a year-long school exchange in
2009, I arrived at my humble yet homely
accommodation in Tempe, Arizona, thinking I
knew how much of a good time I was in for over
the next five months. I couldn’t have
underestimated it more drastically. I instantly
hit it off with the other exchange students,
particularly the 10 person-strong Aussie
exchange contingent, on Orientation Day and I
never looked back. Being the only Kiwi was
definitely a shame, as it would have been
amazing to share such an experience with one
of my own country folk, however I gained a new
respect and appreciation for our trans-Tasman
neighbours as they developed into key
characters in the best five months of my life.
The person who leaves for an exchange is not the same person that returns. An intercultural
experience of such a length changes you. Maybe it’s the challenge to make new friends, maybe it’s
the new friends you make, or maybe it’s simply existing day-to-day in a foreign land. But through
one way or another, the ‘old you’ makes way for the ‘new you’. My semester abroad was especially
helpful in defining the goals for my next stage of life. Surprising as it may seem, among the countless
nights out and irregular study patterns, my time on exchange showed me that no matter where I go
or what I do, the ANZAC culture I was raised in will never leave me, and me it.
After my ASU exchange I continued my travels to Germany to revisit my host family from my first
exchange. Initially I thought I would remain in Germany and work for a year, but as I mentioned, ASU
made me realise how big a part of me the ANZAC culture is, and upon arrival in Germany I
immediately felt something was missing. Returning home and embarking on my next stage of life
from New Zealand is something I’m not only excited about, but certain about. With so many choices
available to youth in today’s age, it’s not often that you can feel certain about anything being the
right choice, but returning home simply has a good feel about it. Once I’m home I hope to get a job
in my field and pay off most of my student loan, before soon moving to Australia and meeting up
with some of the new friends I made at ASU.
Although I spent most of my days hanging
out with exchange students, I involved
myself daily in the American culture. On one
of my first nights in the United States I went
completely alone to an American Football
game, knowing that it would be the only
American Football game that I would have
the possibility to see. I coincidentally ended
up sitting in the area of the winning team
(Oregon Ducks), next to a couple of
strangers that gave me a ride home from
the game, and in perfect view of the
unbelievable Oregon touchdown that
happened straight after the kick-off. My
opinion is that an American football game
with a Bud Light in one hand and hotdog or
nachos in the other is the most American thing one can experience. I also played pick-up basketball
at least three nights a week at a close-by apartment block. It was there that I got to know most of
my American friends, who were curious about my foreign accent. In addition to the daily routines I
made two awesome trips to Mexico (Spring Break) and Las Vegas respectively. These vacations were
the undisputed highlights of my exchange and made me realise what a crazy individual I was to have
left my decision to study abroad until two weeks after the deadline.
Who knew Arizona had snow? In the midst of a ripper day on
the slopes in Flagstaff.
After singing the praises of my exchange, it’s
only fair for me to state the reasons for why I
think prospective students should take the
opportunity to study abroad. Firstly, being a
student is a wonderful time of life, but being
able to be a student in another country is
one massive and fun adventure. Studying
abroad also gives you more perspective on
how important your family, friends and
culture is, and the best part about it is you’re
having the time of your life so after five
months away you don’t even realise that
you’ve missed them.
Some wounded soldiers returning home after a tough seven
days in Mexico on Spring Break.
My advice to other exchange students
embarking on the study abroad program is
well-founded, as I can compare my
experiences of two distinctively different exchanges.

Find a good living situation - I roomed with a Singaporean guy in a cheap apartment
complex. If I had a little bit more money to spend I could’ve lived in a twice as nice
apartment complex with most probably American guys. One of the things I would love to
change about my exchange is being able to experience flatting with a bunch of Americans.

If exchange students are going to be your main friend group, get involved with the host
nation’s people in some way or form - It’s natural that exchange students are going to get
along with each other and stick together, but if you don’t get out and mix with the
Americans, it’s a lazy effort. I went and played basketball, my Aussie mate tried to become
part of a Fraternity, and others were living with Americans. It is not only rewarding but very
eye-opening to make some buddies from the host nation.

Pick two or three trips that you absolutely have to make while you’re on exchange - I
didn’t have the biggest budget to play with but I told myself that while I was at ASU I had to
do Spring Break and I had to do a weekend in Vegas. I succeeded with both of these goals
and both trips ended up being the highlights. Because you’re studying you can’t go round
travelling all the time. Furthermore you don’t want to make too many weekend trips
because you miss out on going out on the town and partying with the kids from your college.
But you can be content with your travels if you tick off two or three trips that you set out to
do before you begin your exchange.
Understand your courses and what is required of you to succeed - No one wants to spend
money to go on an exchange and have to repeat the courses back home. Whatever happens,
you’ll have fun no matter what, but it’s worth analysing what marks you need to succeed on
the academic side so you can stay on top of your studies and make the most of your
recreational time.

I am deeply appreciative of the chance the University of Waikato offered me to partake in the Study
Abroad Program. It was certainly the best thing I’ve ever done in my life, and it gave me clarity as to
how I’ll go about spending my next few years as a young graduate. I can speak nothing but highly of
this program you offer to Waikato students, the only crime is that no other person seized the
opportunity to share the experience with me.
My only request of you is that if another student applies two weeks late, you give their application
the same consideration you gave mine.
Thanks for the experience of a lifetime!!!
Best Regards,
Sean