From Glasgow to Berlin and Milan: what students gain from exchange

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From Glasgow to Berlin and Milan: what students gain from exchange

Studying overseas is about more than experiencing university in another corner of the world. Many find it’s about the people you connect with, the cultures you discover, and the experiences that challenge, inspire, and shape you long after you’ve returned home.

With support from the John Storey Scholarship, Claire Harrison, Fergus Hunter and Perry Kronberger each spent a semester on exchange in Europe in 2026.

Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours) students Claire and Fergus went to the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and the Technical University of Berlin respectively. Bachelor of Fine Arts student Perry went on exchange to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, where she took subjects in fashion communication, art history and Italian literature.

Across three different experiences, they formed global friendships, gained confidence and embraced opportunities they may not have encountered at home.

The Balmoral Hotel clock tower and Scott Monument along a rain-soaked Princes Street in Edinburgh at dusk.

Edinburgh’s Princes Street during Claire’s semester exchange in Scotland. Photo supplied by Claire.

Railway tunnels and colourful buildings beneath a terraced hillside and stone tower at dusk in Monterosso al Mare.

Visiting Monterosso al Mare during Perry’s exchange in Italy. Photo supplied by Perry.

Making global connections

A clear thread across all three experiences was the role other people played in shaping their time overseas.

For Fergus, meeting people from different countries became one of the most memorable parts of living and studying in Berlin. These friendships gave him a new appreciation of how culture can shape people’s perspectives, humour and social norms.

“It was extraordinary to me just how differently cultures affect thought process, humour and social norms,” Fergus said.

In Glasgow, Claire connected with local and international students by joining the University of Strathclyde’s volleyball, surfing and mountaineering clubs. As one of only two Australians in the exchange cohort, the experience encouraged her to meet new people, explore more of Scotland and become involved in university life.

“It was truly an amazing experience to be able to create lifelong friendships with these people and continue to learn and grow from differing opinions and cultures,” Claire said.

Three people standing on the cobblestones of Victoria Street in Edinburgh, with colourful shopfronts and historic stone buildings behind them.

Exploring Victoria Street in Edinburgh during Claire’s semester exchange in Scotland. Photo supplied by Claire.

Seven people standing together beside a graffiti-covered wall and a tree-lined path on a sunny day.

Spending time with other students during Fergus’s semester exchange. Photo supplied by Fergus.

Embracing the experience

Living overseas brought unfamiliar situations, but it also encouraged the students to become more open to new experiences.

Fergus began his exchange with a month-long intensive German course. Although speaking German was challenging at first, he became more confident giving it a go.

“I’ve picked up some confidence and learnt that mostly people appreciate if you try, even if they immediately switch and talk in English,” Fergus said.

Seven people gathered around a blue pool table in a wood-panelled indoor venue, with pool cues and balls visible.

Connecting with other students during Fergus’s semester exchange in Berlin. Photo supplied by Fergus.

Three people standing beside the River Thames, with the London Eye and Palace of Westminster visible in the background.

Visiting London with other students during Fergus’s semester exchange in Europe. Photo supplied by Fergus.

Perry had a similar experience using Italian in her daily life. Attempting conversations, even when she was unsure of the language, became an important part of immersing herself in the experience.

“The experience of trying to speak in a new language daily very quickly breaks any barriers of awkwardness or discomfort,” Perry said.

“I was always so thrilled and excited to be surrounded by Italian language and was willing to do whatever I could to be as immersed as possible, even if it meant attempting difficult conversation.”

Perry also explored beyond Milan, from hiking through snow in northern Italy to visiting Lake Como. At an Olympic skiing event in Bormio, a last-minute ticket unexpectedly placed Perry at the edge of the half-pipe, watching skiers fly overhead.

Freestyle skier performing an aerial manoeuvre against a cloudy sky.

A skier in action at an Olympic event in Bormio during Perry’s semester exchange in Italy. Photo supplied by Perry.

Calm lake water reflecting a cloudy sky, with low clouds and snow-capped mountains along the opposite shore.

Snow-capped mountains overlooking Lake Como during Perry’s semester exchange in Italy. Photo supplied by Perry.

Support to make it possible

The John Storey Scholarship helped ease some of the financial pressure of studying overseas. It enabled Claire to pay for her accommodation upfront and join university clubs, reduced Fergus’s financial stress and helped Perry get to Italy and make the most of her semester.

“It allowed me to enjoy my exchange with far less stress,” Fergus said.

Perry described the scholarship as “completely instrumental” to her exchange experience.

One person standing beside the River Thames with Tower Bridge in the background under an overcast sky.

Visiting London during Claire’s semester exchange in the United Kingdom. Photo supplied by Claire.

One person standing in St Peter’s Square with the façade and dome of St Peter’s Basilica in the background.

Visiting St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City during Perry’s semester exchange in Italy. Photo supplied by Perry.

Their advice for students considering exchange

Claire encourages students not to let concerns about travelling independently or meeting people stop them from considering exchange.

“If you’re hesitating about going because you won’t know anyone there or will struggle to meet people, just know every exchange student is in the same boat and so everyone there is friendly and is there to make friends,” she said.

Fergus encourages students to embrace the freedom and opportunities that exchange can offer.

“You have a really cool opportunity here that can never be repeated in your life. It is a period of extraordinary freedom.”

Explore your options

Interested in studying overseas? Explore available programs through Mobi and learn more about financial assistance for overseas study.

Applications for the John Storey Scholarship are open from 16 October to 8 November 2026 for eligible students participating in the Semester 1, 2027 exchange program.

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