University of Tasmania Mechanical Engineering student Fletcher Tait has recently returned home from completing a twelve month exchange at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.
Find out how it went for this Tyree Scholar below:
Why did you pick the University of Ljubljana for your exchange?
I chose the University of Ljubljana because it has well regarded engineering faculties which offer a wide range of courses in English to exchange students.
This allowed me to select subjects which line up with my degree at UTAS so I can receive credit for the study I do here. I was also interested by the country of Slovenia because of its culture, history, and natural beauty.
Has the experience been as you expected (so far)?
I was unsure what to expect as this is my first time overseas, but it has been awesome! It has been great to study with people from all over the world and live in a different culture, I thought I would have learnt more of the language, but Slovenian is very hard, and people speak great English here.
The Erasmus Student Network events here has also been a great way to explore Slovenia affordably and meet people outside of class.
An unexpected perk of studying in Slovenia is being eligible for Študentska Prehrana, the government subsidised meal system for students.
Tell us about the teaching – is it very different to Australia?
Teaching at the University of Ljubljana is similar to what I am used to in Australia, I attend lectures, tutorials, and laboratories, but the classes here are generally smaller.
The main difference is the assessment structure, here most of my grade comes from mid-semester tests and exams whereas at home the assessment is more continuous.
How do you think this exchange will benefit you in your career?
I feel as if I have developed many skills while on exchange, both soft and technical.
Living and studying abroad has given me valuable experience in adapting to new environments, learning new systems & software and refining how I learn best.
This experience has opened my eyes to what engineering can look like on an international stage by seeing the research conducted by my professors and the industry visits part of my classes.
This experience has been great for me to develop my confidence, adaptability and learn how to communicate effectively in an international context, skills I’m sure will help me in my career.
What do you like about Slovenia?
I love how compact Slovenia is, there is so much to see here without having to travel long distances. The Julian Alps are only one hour away and are truly incredible, a highlight of my trip so far was climbing Triglav (Slovenia’s Highest Mountain).
The people here are very welcoming and friendly, especially those I have met in the mountains and at sport clubs. I also really like how bike friendly Ljubljana is, riding to university is very convenient (apart from when it’s raining).
What do you miss most about Australia?
I mostly miss my friends and family, but I am looking forward to eating a sausage roll and having an Australian coffee when I’m back.
