By: Ella Malal

Hi everyone, my name is Ella Malal, and I am a second-year Bachelor of Global Studies student, majoring in Global Markets and Computer Science. I will be heading to the University of Alicante in Spain for a full-year exchange, and I am so excited for the opportunity to live, study, and experience life in a completely different part of the world.

My interest in exchange started in early high school, when my family hosted an exchange student for a month. That experience opened my eyes to the idea that travelling does not just have to mean visiting a place, but can also mean living there, studying there, and becoming part of everyday life in another country. Since then, I have always been interested in cultural differences, especially the small social details that make each place unique, such as how people greet each other, how they act in cafés and shops, and what daily life looks like from the inside.
Coming from a multicultural background, I have experienced culture shock when visiting my home country before, and I am looking forward to experiencing it again in a new way.

When choosing my exchange destination, I was stuck between Spain and Mexico, and even considered doing one semester in each. Both countries speak Spanish (which I hope to become fluent in), but they each have very different cultures, and getting to experience both would have been wonderful. However, in the end, I chose to spend the full year in Spain because I wanted the chance to properly settle into life in Alicante, while also having the opportunity to travel around Europe throughout the year. I guess I will just have to do a Latin America trip another time.
Spain not only has close connections to other European countries, but also has the warm and lively community I am looking for. Festivals, street markets, and a loud, outgoing social atmosphere were all things I had in mind when picking my destination, and Spain seems to tick all those boxes. On top of that, my accommodation looks stunning. Spain seems to be the perfect fit for me, especially as it has been on my mind since my first Spanish cooking class in Year 7.

During my exchange, I hope to build lifelong friendships, make career connections, and grow as a person. I am also looking forward to stepping back from my normal routine, exploring more of myself and the world, and experiencing everyday life in other countries. I hope this year helps me better understand where I might want to live, work, and explore in the future. I am super excited for this opportunity!