Life Down Under
An absolutely extraordinary exchange in Australia
By Clio Gendre
This summer, thanks to the International Sections, I had the extraordinary opportunity to go for a six weeks exchange to Melbourne in Australia.
This trip includes going to school and on holidays with the exchange partner.
- Paula & Clio
Going to school in Australia is not as bad as we could imagine: it is fun to wear a uniform, to choose our own subjects and most of all to have a laptop.
In this girls’ school, every student is given a personal laptop for three years to take some notes during lessons and do their homework, with an intranet website, an e-mail address and a free access to internet with wireless connexions.
Moreover, as soon as the girls know you come from Europe, you are very warmly welcomed and, you have plenty of friends quicker than you think.
I was a little anxious about finding my host family at the airport. As it so happened, I recognised my exchange student and when I saw her, smiling and excited, I knew I had absolutely no reason to be scared: everything would go on as perfectly as possible.
My exchange partner’s name is Tess. Sometimes I really felt as if I was her sister. All the family was very kind to me, I really felt at home.
At school, I met all her friends with whom I got on very well and, on holidays, I visited all the family (grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins) through the state of Victoria.
I really enjoyed going to the Grampians, the Great Ocean Road, and seeing some penguins, seals and koalas in the wild!
I particularly appreciated the penguins’ show in Philip Island: you watch them on the seaside as they come out of the water after some weeks spent fishing, and as they run across the beach to their burrows. And then they stand in couples chatting in front of their burrows, they are so cute!
Now, I just cannot believe that it took me so long to make up my mind to participate in this exchange program. I am glad I made the right decision: it is really worth it, Australia is a great country, winter there is not so cold, and Australian people are just so nice.
So, if you are interested in going, think about it seriously, and make sure you do not miss such a wonderful experience. I will be happy to give you more information in case you need some, and I know that you can always count on Cheryl to give you precious advice.
Dernière modification le 06-03-07 par
