Seeking the sun

Jessica Rayment explains how she chose to spend a semester at QUT in Queensland because of the university’s great fashion design programme and sunny location.

Jessica Rayment

Why I chose my host uni:

I chose my university as I heard great things about the fashion course, and my friend had recommended it to me. I also wanted to go somewhere with sun as I was tired of New Zealand's winters and needed some Vitamin D.

How I found applying to my host uni:

The application process was pretty easy – I just needed to make sure I had all the information. I also needed to provide my current AUT transcript and my current portfolio.

Luckily enough I didn't need a visa.

How I found learning in a different academic system:

At first, I found that it was a lot of work as I was enrolled in more classes than at AUT, so I had a bigger workload. But as we went through the semester things became so much easier. The lecturers only want to help, so asking as many questions as possible helped the most.

What I gained from this experience:

I learned so much about myself in regards to living on my own and being in my own space. Making friends took me back to primary school days and trying to get out of my comfort zone. Academically I was pushed as some of my classes were new skills to me, so there were definitely some late nights in the library. But I learned so many new skills that I can bring forward.