QUT exchange students at Aston University shared their experiences of living in Birmingham, joining university life and becoming part of an international student community. For them, studying abroad has offered more than a new academic environment — it has also been an opportunity to meet new people, discover different cultures and become more independent.

Exploring Birmingham

Discovering Birmingham has been a memorable part of the exchange experience. One student described walking around the city and being fascinated by its old buildings, fountains, canals and even the small details of the streets.

Living in a new city has given the students an opportunity to explore life in the UK beyond the university campus.

What Was the First Week Like?

Aston University organised several orientation activities to help students settle into their new environment. These included tours around the city and the university campus.

Students living in campus accommodation also described receiving support from the Student Union. They were helped with settling in, getting the things they needed and becoming familiar with their new surroundings.

One student described the experience of arriving at Aston as extremely welcoming.

Meeting Students from Around the World

International Freshers’ Week gave the exchange students the chance to meet people from many different countries. Students described the experience as eye-opening because it allowed them to learn about cultures and places they previously knew little about.

Another student explained that their accommodation block was largely made up of international and exchange students, many of whom were interested in exploring more of the UK together.

Becoming More Independent

Living abroad has also helped the students become more independent. Managing everyday responsibilities such as cooking, washing clothes and organising their own study has been an important part of the experience. One student explained that the exchange had helped them grow as an individual as well as become more independent in their learning. They hoped to take this experience back to QUT and continue developing there.

Studying at Aston University

One student said that Aston Business School was one of the main reasons they chose the university. They also highlighted how encouraging British students had been in helping exchange students become involved in university life.

The students described Aston as a close-knit environment where they felt welcomed and included. Their experience had been so positive that, by the end of the video, one student admitted that none of them really wanted to go home.

The QUT students’ experience at Aston University has combined education, cultural discovery and personal growth. From exploring Birmingham and meeting international students to learning how to live more independently, their exchange has given them experiences they can take back home with them.

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