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Capri's sharing of the exchange program in Australia
Hi! I am Capri, a year 4 Translation student at CUHK. I just completed my exchange at The University of Queensland in semester 2 of academic year 23/24. I had a wonderful time over the past semester, both academically and personally.
 
Over at my host institute, I explored new subjects that I would never come across back in Hong Kong. I studied the evolution of Homo sapiens’ skulls, making stone tools using ancient methods in archaeology classes, explored volcanic and glacial landscapes in geography classes, and discussed possible approaches to reducing crime rates in criminology classes. Beyond classes, I enjoyed my time in the campus volunteering and participating in various activities like photography, stargazing, and celebrating different cultural festivals, through which I made friends with students from around the globe. We journeyed to islands, lakes, and mountains to spend our weekends, and even ventured overseas to New Zealand after the end of the semester. Two of my favorite moments are when we captured the southern lights on camera at a lake after a 3-hour drive from the city, and when we camped in the desert of central Australia, gazing at thousands of stars and galaxies in the night sky. These lasting memories remain dear to me even after leaving.
 
Despite being an introvert in Hong Kong, in Australia, I find myself able to casually start conversations with the person sitting next to me in a cafe, ask for permission to take photos of strangers during a hike, invite people I have just met in a hostel on a trip, and even muster the courage to ask for a free ride from a rural area to the city after realizing that there are no public transport, Uber, or taxi options available. Returning to Hong Kong means reverting to the daily grind of work, study, and job-search preparation, which is a far cry from the vibrant school life, adventures, and my extroverted self. At times, a part of me wonders whether the adventurous spirit still resides within. But what is certain is that I have discovered a different side of myself, understanding my potential and interests, as well as the myriad possibilities that life holds.