Upon landing in Australia, I immediately knew that this exchange experience would be one to remember. I think it’s easy to assume that a country across the world would have impossibly different cultural differences, but that’s not quite true. Even in the airport, I immediately noticed that there were American brands and politicians being displayed. Even the TVs in the airport displayed American news networks!
The business school is nestled on the Gardens Point campus. It’s not huge like Texas A&M’s Mays Business School, but there was an impressive modernness about it. The teaching style is extremely different than what I’ve come to know at TAMU. All of the classes have “tutorials” that are an extended, hands on additions to the classes. All classes are also nearly entirely online as well as in person. Each class is carefully recorded and posted on Zoom or adjacent programs.
The city of Brisbane is extremely clean. It was the first thing I noticed upon landing. Despite being a big city, there’s very little trash, the sidewalks are well taken care of, and the entire city is extremely walkable, contrasting with cities I’m personally familiar with like San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas.
I have felt incredibly fortunate and welcomed in this country, both by the people here and by the incredible faculty at Queensland University of Technology. I’m constantly looking forward to new experiences here, and I’ve loved every moment since arriving.
