Why did you choose to study aboad with USAC?
Lilach: I went through USAC since my school didn’t have a direct exchange and by going through the program, I didn’t have to worry about transcript exchanges and other bureaucratic issues. Also, it was reassuring to have a direct contact person working on my behalf in order to help me get into the university and help me with the visa. For me, studying abroad was a way for me to experience independence in an exaggerated form, by being incredibly far away from anything and anyone I knew. Still, I not only managed, but also thrived in a new country and a university with a different teaching style.
What was your typical day like?
Lilach: In the mornings, I would wake up and have brekkie (that’s breakfast!) with my host family. For my time in Melbourne, I chose to find a homestay for two reasons: to accommodate my religious dietary requirement of keeping Kosher and also to get a first-hand sense of how an Australian family lives. Living in an international dormitory, as some of my friends did, provided more of a peer experience, but I wanted to really live in Australia with an Aussie family.
I would then hop on a tram to get to Deakin University. It took me about 45 minutes each way. I was in Australia for four months- a semester- and was taking four units. My schedule was four days a week, with Tuesdays off. I dubbed this day “Touring Tuesdays” and went on excursions each week to different places in Melbourne, taking advantage of my time there and seeing museums, parks, or unique neighborhoods that I’d researched before coming. Federation Square was usually my staring point. Some days I would just in the square, taking pictures with my camera, people watching, or enjoyed whatever activity the city had on that day; there was always something!
I loved traveling to the center of the city, arriving in Flinder’s Street Station and feeling the quite buzz, distinctly quieter than the chaotic energy of centers in NYC, where I live. ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) was one of my favorites, the Ian Potter Gallery was intriguing and I even took a [free] guided tour of the square and learned a lot about the history of its construction. Throughout my time in Melbourne, I visited many of its museums, including the NGV, (National Gallery of Victoria,) The Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, the Immigration Museum and the Jewish Museum of Australia.
After school, or after a day out, I relished coming home to my wonderful new family, eating a home-cooked dinner and spending time with them, watching TV and doing homework. On occasion, we would go out to eat, to see a show/ballet/movie, or to a footy game! One evening I took a native Melbournian out with me to go up to the Eureka Skydeck, something she had never done before.
What was a highlight of your trip?
Lilach: One of the highlights of my trip was actually getting to travel on the great ocean road, down to the 12 apostles, which is a beautiful natural wonder along the gorgeous coast. Google it! The trip was hosted by the university for all international students and we had a wonderful beach trip, including hiking and surfing!