Can I fulfill my dreams of going on exchange?

Covid has changed a lot of things, one of them being my plan for my degree. The university has announced that the current mode of teaching will be continuing into semester 1, 2021 with dual, online and face-face tutorials available. Most lectures will remain online, and international travel and exchanges has been confirmed to be unavailable until at least semester 2 (if at all). I had already spoken with Study Overseas at the university and was looking to do an exchange in semester one next year, this will no longer be possible. At the end of this year I will be halfway through my degree and the end of my undergraduate studies is fast approaching. This has left me wondering if I will have the time and elective space to even do an exchange whilst at university?

One thing I have learned whilst at university is just how flexible my degree structure and my degree plan is. I can do electives straight away or get my core courses over with or negotiate for alternative classes. Another thing that has always been promoted and negotiable is going on exchange for university. The hard truth now is that unless I take a gap-year or lessen my course load I may not have the space or time to take an exchange into my degree. When or if exchanges restart is still uncertain which makes planning difficult.

What did I want from exchange?

For me, doing an exchange was an opportunity to do so much. To experience living in another country, learning a different way of life and pretty much just go on an adventure under the title of ‘education’. It is somewhat saddening to see that this may not be an option anymore unless things change soon. However, this is not the end of the world. There is still plenty of time, the option of post-graduate studies, a gap-year and so much more. It also leaves me with other options such as giving me the push to go checkout our own backyard here in Australia. Adventure is still calling, I might just have to change where I find it.