I went to Melbourne Australia for the first time from 1st to 23rd August on the overseas study programme and this was the first time I’d ever been to an English-speaking country. When I arrived in Melbourne I just so excited about what I would see and learn during these days in this beautiful city.

One of the things I was looking forward to before I came to Melbourne was living in a homestay. It was such a good opportunity for me to learn about Australian culture and such an amazing experience for me. I love my homestay family! They were a couple from Sri Lanka and I had one Japanese girl roommate as well. We ate dinner and chatted or watched TV together every night just like a real family. I spent a very happy time with my homestay family and roommate, and even now I still miss them. People in Melbourne are very warmhearted and kind, I got a lot of help there and I’m so thankful and will never forget it!

The study programmme started in Monash Collage. It was a good location where we studied. Monash Collage is in CBD and nearby there is the National Gallery of Victoria, the State Library of Victoria, China Town and Queen Victoria Market and so on. In Monash Collage I learnt a lot business knowledge, presentation skills, small talk skills and workplace culture. As an art student I could learn so much knowledge that’s different from my major . It was both exciting and challenging at the same time! We had many good trainers in Monash Collage, they always did activities with us and taught us in a fun way. Also we visited the CPA Australia and Dairy Innovation Australia. That was a very good and memorable experience for me and I was so inspired and learnt so much from the visit. And students from Shanghai and Japan joined us together on the 2-week course. It was truly an unforgettable and great experience. We practiced English and hung out together, got to know each other’s culture. I’m so happy I could meet different people and make many friends there.

After classes and at the weekend I went out with my friends to walk around the city and visit many sights in Melbourne. We went to China town, Brighton beach, Melbourne zoo, Queen Victoria Market and Great ocean road and so on. As an art student I went to some exhibitions, galleries and visited RMIT University. I definitely learned a lot and opened my eyes through the overseas study programme.

I’m so thankful for having this opportunity to take part in the overseas study programme. I’m so glad I could meet everyone during this trip. Also I want to say a big thank-you to my school MPI, all the trainers in Monash Collage, all the team members from Macao and my homestay family. I gained a lot from this programme and I will never forget it!