Travelling While Abroad: The Art of Making It Up As I Go  

I was able to travel before my exchange even started. I ended up spending over a week each in Canada, Italy, Greece, and Morocco, and spent time with family in England—all before arriving in Cardiff. It was a great way to start the semester. Continue reading Travelling While Abroad: The Art of Making It Up As I Go  

Life in Cardiff

Cardiff is a very social and lively city. It is common for students to go to a local cafe and do their studies there, as there are cafes everywhere! Continue reading Life in Cardiff

Small & Meaningful Challenges

Studying abroad at Kwansei Gakuin University has been a meaningful experience that has taught me a lot about daily life and education in Japan. Each week brings new situations to adapt to, whether it’s learning the language, navigating classes, or figuring out everyday routines.  Continue reading Small & Meaningful Challenges

My Weekend Competing for the University of Calgary Dinos

A wrap up on my weekend competing for the University of Calgary Dinos at Canadian University Rowing Championships in Montreal, Quebec. Continue reading My Weekend Competing for the University of Calgary Dinos

Roam The Esplanade, Try Paella, Enjoy Your Time Away!

About a four-hour train ride from Madrid is Alicante, a coastal city that stretches along the Costa Blanca and is full of rich cultural and historical connections. Within my classes at the university, I’m the only non-Spaniard, but that hasn’t stopped my classmates from welcoming me like their own. Continue reading Roam The Esplanade, Try Paella, Enjoy Your Time Away!

Computer Science in Alicante

Salve Waikato, it’s me Alexander, back again. If you thought my Instagram post on the Waikato Global Experience account was the update to my exchange, with all the flare and enthusiasm that befits it, so did I. At the University of Alicante, I am studying Database Design, Game Theory, Physical Foundations of Computer Science and a beginners course in Spanish. Continue reading Computer Science in Alicante

The Journey, it’s what you’re going to make of it.

A few months ago, I imagined I would be soaking up on the beaches of Santa Barbara, overall just enjoying the classic American experience. But as life often goes, things didn’t go to plan. But as the weeks fly by, it is becoming clearer that the journey isn’t about getting what I expected, but rather about what I can make out of it. Continue reading The Journey, it’s what you’re going to make of it.

Tasting Canada: My Food Experience at the University of Ottawa

One of the first things I noticed when I arrived in Ottawa was how similar the cost of food is compared to back home in New Zealand. Although there aren’t many familiar Kiwi brands on the shelves, it’s easy to find alternatives that taste just as good. Continue reading Tasting Canada: My Food Experience at the University of Ottawa