THANK YOU UTS

Viola Folignoli

Spring 2024 Study Abroad student from the IT University of Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

My name is Viola, I'm 24 years old, and I'm Italian. Last year, I moved to Denmark to attend a Master's in Software Design. I always dreamed of experiencing a cultural exchange, so there was no doubt I would do everything to achieve my dream. In the spring semester of 2024, I became an international student at UTS!

Where to begin describing the dream these past few months have been for me? I should probably start with the scariest part of every exchange student’s journey: moving across the globe to a completely different country—one that, if you're like me, you may have never seen before. It’s far from your family and friends, with a different language, culture, and weather. It is scary, and there’s not much that can be said to make it sound easier. For me, the first step was finding a place I could call my own.

Finding a place in Sydney was daunting because I kept reading everywhere about how difficult it is. My strategy was to book a hostel for the first week and use all my energy viewing as many places as possible. And it worked! I moved into my place at the end of my very first week in Sydney. Once you move into your place, life starts to feel more real, and suddenly, you realize how different your everyday life is going to be. I’ve been so lucky because I ended up living with two girls from New Zealand, and I couldn’t have hoped for better people to share this experience with. It has been fascinating to get close to people from other cultures—ones that may seem similar to ours on the surface but hide many differences in perspectives

In terms of friends, starting from scratch can be interesting but also exciting. I cannot stress enough how important it is to put yourself out there and socialize. The first few days can feel lonely, and that’s totally normal. But something UTS did very well was giving me so many opportunities to participate in events and meet people. That was so important for me to build a base of good friends and a network of connections that kept growing.

I found it amazing how the university felt so big yet so small at the same time. Meeting so many people through others, and realizing that by the end of the semester, everyone knew each other. Of course, I met many people, but there were a few who became especially close to me, and I am so happy I got to meet them. We used every free moment to travel and explore Australia, and that is something I will always be very grateful for.

From an academic point of view, UTS was organized very differently from my previous experience as a student. The first few weeks were crucial for me to understand what to do and how to navigate the assignments. It wasn’t easy at first. However, once I got into the rhythm of things, everything started clicking. What was disorienting at the beginning became clear, and working through the assignments made all the difference. I feel like I’ve never learned as much as I did in these past few months. It’s funny because I had the opposite impression during the first two weeks!

Another absolute highlight for me has been life on the university campus, which is so lively. It’s a pleasure to study there. The library is beautiful, and the people are happy—you can feel that energy.

All of this is framed by the beauty of Sydney. It’s a city with skyscrapers only 20 minutes away from some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches I have ever seen. Just getting off the bus and watching surfers ride waves at sunset is something I will never forget.

Going back to my country is going to be tough. I’m not only leaving behind some of the most

beautiful people I’ve ever met, but it is also a phase of my life that will forever be a highlight of my existence.