{"id":11516,"date":"2025-09-30T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preprod.sts-education.com\/blog\/2026\/03\/05\/isabella-was-on-an-exchange-year-in-australia\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T09:23:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T07:23:44","slug":"isabella-was-on-an-exchange-year-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sts-education.com\/fi\/vaihto-oppilas\/vaihto-oppilaamme\/oppilaskertomukset\/isabella-was-on-an-exchange-year-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Isabella was on an exchange year in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Isabella was on an exchange year in Australia<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Isabella<\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hello, my name is Isabella and I\u2019m 18 years old. A few months ago I came home from the Sunshine Coast in Australia. I lived in Australia for 12 months, and now when I\u2019m home again, I can easily say it was the best 12 months of my life. Doing an exchange year is the best decision I\u2019ve ever made, and something I encourage everyone to do. You will not regret it!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why did I choose to do an exchange year in Australia<\/h2>\n

The idea of doing an exchange year originally came from my dad telling stories about his high school exchange in the US. It sounded like he had so much fun and he always encouraged me to go as well. I had been thinking about it for years, and after my sister got home from her exchange year in Australia, I decided I also wanted to go. The main reason why I wanted to go was to take a step outside of my comfort zone, experience new things and live in a new country.<\/p>\n

How was Australia as an exchange year destination?<\/h2>\n

I fell in love with Australia the first time I travelled there visiting my sister during her exchange year. I knew the moment I left Australia after visiting her, that I would be back there on my own exchange year, and so I did!<\/p>\n

I lived on Australia\u2019s east coast at the Sunshine Coast. The Sunny Coast is known for their amazing beaches, surfing, and as the name suggests, lots of sun! Living there was never boring, there were always things to do. The lifestyle, the beaches, the people and the overall vibe there is a lot different from home, and I loved it! As a person who loves being active and outdoors, the Sunny Coast was the perfect destination for me. I would recommend Australia as an exchange year destination for anyone that loves an active lifestyle, spending time outside, and most importantly, the sun and the beach.<\/p>\n

Best things about my exchange<\/h2>\n

I can easily say that the best thing about my exchange year is all the people I met! My exchange year gave me so many new friends and a second family on the other side of the world.<\/p>\n

My exchange year also taught me more than I ever expected. I\u2019ve learned so much from leaving my comfortable and normal life behind, and stepping into a life so new and exciting, but also a bit scary. Creating a new life so far from home made me realise that the world is full of endless places and things to experience, and that life at home is not everything.<\/p>\n

Favourite memory<\/h2>\n

It's hard to choose one, but I would say a trip to the Great Barrier Reef with my exchange friends. My school organised a trip to an island in the Great Barrier Reef, for all the exchange students in my school. The island was surrounded by coral reefs and we snorkelled among colourful fish and corals many times per day. We saw turtles, manta rays and even a reef shark! It was one of the most unique and fun experiences during my exchange year. It is a trip I won't forget.<\/p>\n

The trip is a special memory, but I would also say that the small moments are the ones I miss the most now when I\u2019m home again. Hanging out with my friends at the beach, eating dinner with my host family or going surfing on the weekend, are memories that feel so special now when I look back at my exchange year.<\/p>\n

My top advice<\/h2>\n

My main advice for future exchange students is to try to live in the moment and appreciate every day. At first it felt like I was going to be in Australia forever, a year seemed so long, but 12 months have never flown by so fast and now I only wish I could go back. An exchange year is such a special and unique experience in your life and becomes only a memory pretty quickly. I would recommend saying yes to every opportunity you get, and try to appreciate every day as much as possible. Something I would also recommend, and I\u2019m happy I did, is documenting my year. Take a lot of photos, videos, and maybe start a journal! It\u2019s so fun to have your special year documented for the future.<\/p>\n

Why I choose STS?<\/h2>\n

Finally, I want to thank STS for being the best organisation! I could not be happier with choosing STS. They have helped me with my exchange year in all matters, and made me feel like I wasn\u2019t alone on the other side of the world. It felt good knowing that I would always get support and answers to my questions during my year abroad. STS is a trustworthy organisation with lovely people that will help and support you in all situations!<\/p>\n

Find out more<\/h2>\n