Hello! This week we will be discussing the opportunity to take part in an integrated Study Abroad programme whilst at Warwick. In your second year, the GSD department offers you the option to spend two terms studying abroad at Monash University, either in Australia or Malaysia. This time spent abroad will contribute towards your final grade for the year. To find out more about the difference between this shorter study abroad opportunity and the year-long (intercalated) option, see our study abroad page.

I spoke to third-year Politics, International Studies and GSD student, Hollie Ryan, about her time at Monash University. This interview will be split across two posts, so look out for Part 2 soon!

What made you decide to study abroad as part of your second year?

Hollie: “One benefit was that you could do it as part of second year rather than having to take a whole year out, this is one of the main reasons I decided to do it. GSD is the only course at Warwick that allows you to do this and I think it’s a really good option.

Also, having never been outside of Europe, I wanted to travel and explore different cultures. As a student, it's such a unique opportunity to spend a prolonged period out of the country. This might not be possible after university when you are constrained by job commitments or other factors."

What are the highlights of your time at Monash?

Hollie: “One of the big things for me was the community feel of halls in Australia. I got to know everyone living in my accommodation, it was really social so I made friends with a wide range of people and felt fully integrated with the community there.

Being able to travel and take mini-trips at the weekends was great, I went to Byron Bay, Tasmania and Philip Island. I wanted to make the most of being in Australia, as well as studying. I also did a solo trip for a few days to Sydney which made me more independent.

For my year, the University also gave international students free tickets to watch the Australian Football League which was a really cool experience, and there were always different events happening on and around campus. Every Wednesday there was live music in the day, and there was so much free food.

On a more simple level, even the weather made such a difference to my wellbeing, I loved to go outside and study. I especially made use of the green spaces around campus, and even now being back at Warwick, I try to implement studying outside as much as possible, although the weather makes this more difficult!”

Kristina Pugh

Final-year Single Honours GSD student

Friday 21 February 2020