UOW Southern Highlands student Melanie Aitken

Certainly not Melanie herself, who had always wanted to do an exchange program but had concerns about the expense.

“I’ve lived in the Highlands my whole life, so the idea of picking up my life and going overseas for a whole session or a year – as well as the cost of that – always made me a bit dubious,” she said.

The University of Wollongong (UOW) Southern Highlands campus student has a passion for history, which was brought to life in several museum visits during her time in England.

“I got to see sarcophaguses, to learn from lecturers in the very top of their field in England and to study ancient history, which I haven’t been able to study on a university level,” Melanie said.

Melanie said the two-week intensive subject offered an expansive range of content, including topics on the Mayans, Egyptian gods, ancient Athens and the Etruscans.

Best of all, the experience will add toward her course completion back home.

“I got a full eight credit points for the subject I did on exchange, which means I got full credit toward my degree,” she said.

Melanie, who is studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in history and sociology, is working toward completing a Master of Education so that she can teach history.

“It’s been great to study close to home, not only to keep my existing support network with my family but to build a new one due to the small campus here in the Highlands,” she said.

“You get to know the tutors well so they get to know you on a personal basis, they’re very supportive if you’re having issues with assessments or your course work.”