06/17/2026
Alyza studied abroad in Australia! 🇦🇺
Hear from her below:
My name is Alyza, and I am a Communications major with a Media Studies minor. I am currently studying abroad on the Gold Coast in Australia at Southern Cross University through Direct Enroll. While abroad, I am taking a total of four classes: Physical Activity for Health, Event Planning, Marketing Communications, and English: Literature, Language, and Literacy. I am currently in my second term of classes, and so far, my academic experience has been very engaging and rewarding. The professors here are extremely helpful and supportive, and classes are split into two 6-week terms, which makes the workload feel much more manageable and allows students to really focus on each course. Another big difference is that there are no traditional exams or finals. Instead, we complete 2-3 major assessments throughout each term, allowing me to put more time and effort into producing my best work. One of the most surprising things about Australia has been the lifestyle and morning culture. People here start their days very early, before the sun rises, and you’ll already see people surfing, running, walking along the beach, or getting coffee. Most people are also in bed much earlier than I used to back home. It took some adjusting, but I’ve come to love early morning and sunset walks on the beach. One of my favorite experiences so far has been attending a surf camp and taking a “Learn to Surf” class, which was such an awesome experience and something I never imagined I’d get to do while abroad. For any students considering studying abroad in the future, I could not recommend it more! Although I’m only a little over halfway through my experience, I have already met so many amazing people, formed lifelong friendships, and learned so much both about myself and the world around me. Studying abroad can feel intimidating at first, but taking that leap is so worth it. I especially recommend Australia for its beautiful weather, incredible beaches, and welcoming culture. This experience has reminded me how much there is to see and learn outside of your comfort zone, and I’m so grateful I took the chance to study abroad.
