A home away from home

Madison Smith shares how her semester at Cardiff University in Wales helped her create a whole new life on the other side of the world, with friends that will last forever.

Madison Smith

Why I chose my host uni:

I love rugby and knew the Welsh share that quality. The Welsh also have the nickname ‘sheep shaggers’, which is something Kiwis are also called. It was a home away from home. The location was also close to Europe for travel purposes, which was ideal.

How I found applying to my host uni:

I found the application quite admin heavy, which I didn’t expect. Finding cross-creditable courses was massive mission, but I can’t stress how much the admin is worth it. I had to write a full personal statement, which I was not prepared for at all.

As I was a student only going for one semester, I didn’t need to get a visa to enter the country. This made everything so much easier. The only issue I had was not being able to work, therefore I chewed through my money.

How I found learning in a different academic system:

The different academic system was amazing to experience. The level of education was unmatched and allowed me to understand my degree in a much more precise manner. The only thing that helped me adjust was learning how they marked, and it was pretty clear when I got my results back from my first assignment that the Welsh mark harsh. From then I talked to my lecturer and he provided some tips, which allowed my grades to go up.

What I gained from this experience:

Deciding to go in an exchange was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not only do I now know field professionals in another country, I also know how the UK system works, which gives me an advantage if I return for work.

Personally, I grew so much from my exchange. I was able to create a whole new life on the other side of the world, with friends that will last forever. Meeting and experiencing a whole new culture has allowed me to grow as a person and better understand how the world works.