Student swaps sweltering heat for snow

Springfield Business student Sarah Smith undertakes study exchange to Canada

Second year Business student Sarah Smith has swapped sweltering heat, beaches and everything familiar for maple syrup, snow and plunging temperatures and she couldn’t be happier.

Ms Smith has recently embarked on a study exchange adventure to Canada through the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Study Abroad and Exchange program.

Currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Business (Tourism) at Springfield campus she travelled to Kelowan in Canada on Boxing Day to undertake six months study at Okanagan College where she will study accounting, tourism and psychology courses that will be credited towards her USQ program.

Before she left, the 21 year old Ipswich girl who completed her senior certificate at Ipswich State High School in 2007 said she couldn’t wait to get there and begin her big adventure.

'A study exchange has been something I have been interested in doing ever since I enrolled in university,' Ms Smith said.

'During my first weeks on-campus I saw a poster about the program and looked into it straight away.

'I only know one person who lives about an hour from where I will be studying in Kelowan, so it will be difficult to work out where I am going and what I need to do at first, but I am really looking forward to meeting people and seeing the sights.

'I have never even seen snow before and I arrive in mid-winter, so that is going to be fantastic.'

Ms Smith said her family was very supportive of her travelling overseas.

'I was worried that Mum would be upset about my going, but she has been really supportive and I think she is excited that I am going off and doing my own thing.

'My siblings are already saying they will miss me.'

Ms Smith credits the USQ Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP), a program designed to give students the skills needed to undertake their degrees, with her tertiary success.

'University was the last thing I thought I would ever do as I didn’t do very well at school and didn’t think myself to be ‘intelligent’, but the TPP program helped me get into my Business degree and after that, everything I have always thought about myself changed.

'I love the open door policy here at the Springfield campus, USQ has helped me enjoy learning and reminds me every day that this is where I am meant to be.'

Ms Smith hopes to work overseas in the tourism industry when she finishes her degree.

Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0438 309 096