Name: Addison Janiszewski

Program: CIS Abroad – Semester in Newcastle – University of Newcastle

Location: Newcastle, Australia

Addison’s Semester in Australia

Before I left for my study abroad journey to Australia, I was definitely nervous. The idea of traveling so far from home and being in a completely new environment and time zone was intimidating, but I quickly realized that meeting people is not as hard as it can seem. My flatmates were incredibly nice, but I actually made most of my friends by going out to school events and participating in the activities held during orientation week. Everyone I met was super welcoming, inclusive, and kind, from students from South Africa, the United States, Nepal, India, and many other countries, which made it easy to feel at home and part of the community.

Exploring Australia was unforgettable. Traveling to cities like Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast gave me the chance to experience both city life and stunning landscapes. One of the highlights was visiting the Great Barrier Reef, which was easily one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I had the opportunity to snorkel and scuba dive, which I’ve always loved and am certified in, so it was an incredible opportunity for me as it was only day 3 in Australia. I also took a week to travel to New Zealand, which I would absolutely recommend, as it is breathtaking and full of adventure. My classes were mostly online, which gave me the flexibility to spend most of my days at the beach. Even though it was winter when I arrived, the weather was beautiful and clear almost every day, with only three days of rain during the entire semester. I even managed to get some sun and schoolwork done at the beach despite it being winter with the UV averaging around 8 or 9. One thing I learned quickly is to say yes to as many random excursions as possible, because some of the best memories came from spontaneous plans I never would have anticipated.

Overall, the arrival and departure were smooth. I was excited and nervous at first, overwhelmed but grateful within the first week, and by the end I was sad to leave but so thankful for the friendships I made and the experiences I had. For anyone considering studying abroad, I cannot stress enough to be open, embrace the unknown, and take every opportunity to try new things. The adventures, friendships, and memories you make will stay with you for life.