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Study abroad: Australia

Amy Schuman (McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science) studied at the University of Melbourne for a semester.

How did you choose the specific program you participated in?

I only speak English, so I had to go to an English-speaking country. I looked at Australia and England, and I chose Australia. Now that I know more about Study Abroad, there were actually tons of programs I could have done without having a prior language background.

How is the educational experience different over there?

They don't have weekly assignments like they do here, or midterms for that matter. You're more focused towards the end of the term. You go at your own pace, but in the end there is a paper and a final which counts for the majority of your grade.

What kinds of classes did you take?

I took two history classes and an economics course to fulfill my theme in engineering, and then a non-credit class about the landscape of the country. One of my history classes was Australian History since the middle 1800's. I learned a lot more history of the country than I could have anywhere else. Learning the history while actually being there and having the opportunity to visit places we discussed made the class even more meaningful.

Where else did you go while you were there?

We went to Sydney. It's about an hour and a half plane ride. We saw the Olympic stadium, and it was really cool. We also took a boat to Tasmania. We drove around the island for about a week. And I took a two-week trip up the east coast and I saw things I'd never seen. It's gorgeous.

Was it a difficult transition, doing Study Abroad?

It was my first time overseas by myself, and we didn't really have anyone watching over us so we were on our own. But the people there were very friendly people. They were always happy to talk to us. That was really nice.

What is the one story that you still tell people?

There are lots of stories. There was one time on a camping trip, I went to wash my bowl at the faucet, kind of away from the campground, and out of the woods this huge kangaroo came bounding towards me! I was really scared, but it just went past me.

How have you been affected by doing Study Abroad?

I have a more worldly view. I have a bigger picture. Not everything is Chicago or the United States. It's a much larger scale.

Is there any advice you want to give students thinking about doing Study Abroad?

I always tell people: go abroad. Anything you can do to go abroad, go for it! I got to do things that I wouldn't have been able to do and experience if I hadn't gone overseas. It was by far the best thing that I've ever done in college, and in my life.

Studying Abroad

Amy (center) in front of the Sydney Opera House

Amy (center) in front of the Sydney Opera House

Amy back at Northwestern

Amy back on campus