It's basically the two year mark now since I left Perth in August 2011 to go on exchange. Emotionally I am more stable now but the impact of exchange is still profound. In February 2013 I applied to be a Peer Advisor for the UWA Study Abroad office and was accepted. Below is the application form I filled in. I wrote it with passion, I still feel the passion and I want this recorded online so I can reread it to myself at any time so I can fill myself with joy.

2013 Exchange Peer Advisor Online Application

Why are you interested in becoming a Peer Adviser?

My study abroad experience has been my best undertaking to date and has positively impacted my life on so many levels, more than I had ever anticipated. I wholeheartedly believe that exchange is a unique and privileged experience for students to learn, embrace life and develop themselves in ways they cannot yet know. This Peer Adviser position would be a natural and formal extension of what I already do on a regular basis: share my amazing exchange story with others and convince my uni friends to go study abroad and find out what I am talking about for themselves.

How did your period of overseas study through the UWA Student Exchange Program impact on your personal and professional goals?

The UWA Student Exchange Program's impact on my personal and professional goals has been huge and profound. It has completely revolutionised my perspective of the world and every life decision I have made since my exchange can be directly or indirectly related to the program.

First of all my personal goal of improving my French language skills has been completely satisfied and is something that I continue to be proud of. Exchange offered the best opportunity for me to practise the language in a legitimate, effective and enjoyable way and has, in my mind, validated my status as a French major at UWA.

In terms of the program's impact on my other personal goals; it made me realise that I want to be an ex-patriate worker, a globe-trotter and a wanderer. I have made it a life goal now to live on every continent and learn another three languages. Exchange has made me aware that I thrive in multi-cultural settings and that I feel at the height of life when I am far from home and faced with new challenges, new systems and a new way of living. 

I am fortunate enough to come from a developed country and to undertake a study abroad program. In my intense newfound happiness of travelling, studying at a different institution and speaking a foreign language - I came to realise that my privileged existence is an exception rather than a rule. Whilst studying abroad I became more aware that billions elsewhere were impoverished or suffering a form of social injustice whilst I was having fun. During my time abroad; UWA's Student Exchange Program allowed me a chance to evaluate my general direction in life and has helped me decide I want to be a champion of social justice and channel my career efforts down this pathway.

My professional goals are closely related to my personal goals. The UWA Student Exchange Program has made me realise that I am not interested in climbing the corporate ladder. Thanks to my newfound interest in seeing the world, I hope to develop some hard business skills in Perth before travelling abroad to volunteer and work for different social justice and development organisations.

What would you suggest would be useful for the Student Exchange Adviser to convey to prospective exchange students in the future?

I think it is important to emphasise that the bother, hassle and paperwork required in preparation to go on exchange is infinitely negligible when compared to the gains and benefits of actually going on exchange. The effort is incomprehensibly worth the ensuing life-changing adventure.

What types of promotional activities do you suggest would increase participation rates by UWA students in the Student Exchange Program?

Students in certain degrees can go to certain universities. I think the Study Abroad Office could highlight particular international universities that accept certain degree-undertakers during lectures to personalise the Student Exchange Program promotion.

For example, if there is a university that is well-renowned for science and has a exchange program with UWA, UWA could promote that particular university to students in science lectures and emphasise the prestige and degree-relevance of doing exchange there.

How would you encourage students to consider studying abroad?

I would promote exchange from a very personal and human perspective. I would highlight that life is too short for fears and doubts and share how much my exchange changed my life for the better. I would ask the student, "just answer this question directly ignoring all other factors, does studying for a semester or a year abroad sound exciting to you?" If the students answers yes - it shows that they have a little flame of interest inside and I would put all my energy into stoking it further alight by emphasising that exchange is a guaranteed adventure, an opportunity to grow, see the world, make friends and to discover oneself.