Have you ever wondered what it means going on exchange? Alex didn’t just go a year abroad and travel, he experienced something deeply rewarding and life-changing. With 16 years old Alex took an airplane in Melbourne and flew to Switzerland to start his unforgettable exchange year. Read more about his experience from himself.
“Looking back on it now it was the best year of my life and I miss it endlessly.”
Before I left Australia for my exchange, I knew I wanted to explore the world, however I never imagined how much one single year could change me. Leaving home and moving to Switzerland was exciting, but it was also quite stressful at times. Embarking on this exchange year, meant leaving home to live life in a completely new culture and language.
Looking back on it now it was the best year of my life and I miss it endlessly.
During my exchange, I met so many people who I still actively keep in contact with today, I got to travel all around Switzerland, I was even lucky enough to visit some places around Europe, and I got to learn a new language, German.
Learning German at first was quite hard to get used to, however it soon presented to be one of the most rewarding parts of my exchange. Simple conversations felt impossible at first, but after speaking it every day my understanding grew and it became a language which I love to speak. Even now, almost a year after getting back from exchange I am still actively learning German and am completing it as a VCE subject!
What I cherish about my exchange year most were the connections I made with the people I met, specifically my host family and friends. All the people I met along the way became such an important part of my life, and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. Despite coming from different countries and backgrounds, the connections I built them will stay with me forever.
What I learnt from this experience, is that an exchange year isn’t just about living in another country, or getting the chance to travel, but its about growing as a person, meeting new people and gaining many life experiences you cant learn anywhere else. My year in Switzerland gave me memories, friendships, and confidence which will last me a lifetime.
If you’re thinking about going on exchange, do it!!! I promise it will be the best time of your life.
