Sophie Treby, a BSc International Development with Study Year Abroad (now known as BSc Global Sustainable Development with Placement Year) student, spent a year at the University of Melbourne in Australia as part of her degree.
Sophie shares:
“Going on a study abroad year was the best decision. The year helped me to develop my knowledge and understanding of my degree subject and provided opportunities for me to discover new modules which covered a wider range of subjects and approaches.”
Complementing and strengthening knowledge
Sophie was able to experience topics and teaching that complemented and strengthened knowledge already built during her first and second years at the University of Reading:
“Some of the fascinating modules I took were Fertility, Mortality, and Social change, Inside the City of Diversity, Post-conflict Development and Difference, and Sustainable Development. These were taught through different perspectives and broadened the range of settings and issues that I have an understanding of, which I felt was particularly important within my degree. The combination of lectures and tutorials meant that I was able to apply the new content learnt.”
Sophie adds:
“The academic experience of studying abroad has really broadened my mind, perspectives, and considerations, which I think will be as useful in later life as my career progresses, as it has been in my final year at Reading.”
Life experience
Taking a study-abroad year is as much about developing life experience as it is gaining new academic insights. For Sophie, it became a journey of personal growth as well as intellectual discovery:
“Moving to Australia by myself was daunting but it definitely increased my confidence and independence. Living in and exploring a completely new city on the other side of the world, and creating a new home for myself, was an exciting challenge.”
Support network
Study abroad host institutions provide a great support network for incoming students, and Sophie benefited from the University of Melbourne’s offerings:
“The University of Melbourne had a society specifically for exchange and study abroad students which I joined, and their socials were so helpful, especially at the start of the year where I didn’t know anyone. It made meeting people more approachable and less overwhelming for sure. I really enjoyed meeting new people from all over the world.”
Bucket list opportunities not to be missed!
While in the southern hemisphere, Sophie took every opportunity to explore and tick off her bucket-list goals:
“Being able to make the most of breaks in study and discover Australia was an experience I will never forget. I travelled up the east coast of Australia, visiting places such as Sydney, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, K’gari Island, the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. I also visited Perth, Tasmania and Uluru. My bucket list moment was completing a skydive at Airlie Beach!
I also spent a month travelling around New Zealand, which is such a beautiful country. I did a canyon swing in Queenstown, went white water rafting and caving, and visited Milford Sound.”
Sophie’s parting advice for anyone considering a placement year abroad is:
“Go for it! It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Find out more about BSc Global Sustainable Development with Placement Year.