Tamika Binnie

Why did you choose your host university?

I selected Scotland as I am from a Scottish background and wanted to go somewhere that spoke English. I then decided on Strathclyde because it had a good reputation especially for business studies. Strathclyde also had on campus accommodation which was beneficial to me. 

What was the university like?

I found the university very similar to UniSA especially in regards to the structure of classes, regular lecture, tutorials, one big assignment and one exam. Again very similar in terms of resources available to students. The campus was larger however it is clearly signposted so easy to work your way around .I didn’t really find it challenging adjusting to the University in Scotland however the main change was the grading system. Instead of needing 50% to pass, you only needed to achieve 40% to pass, And the comparison to a high distinction only requires 70%. So that was a bit confusing at the beginning but again you get used to that quickly.

What did you gain from your exchange experience and has it changed the way you think or altered your approach to life?

It was definitely a valuable experience that enabled me to learn while encompassing a different perspective. As I study Human Resources it was very interesting to take industrial relations classes and be able to identify the differences in the economy and labour market between both countries. I also met some very special people who I am sure will now be life long friends. The friendships that I have formed are something special that I am lucky enough to take away from this experience.

What accommodation options were available to you?  How affordable was accommodation and would you recommend the same option to others?

I lived on campus at Strathclyde which was super convenient being in the city centre as well as being 5 minutes away from classes. It is definitely expensive for what it is, as accommodation is very basic however I would say it is worth it, as living in Halls allowed me to meet some great people whom I did most tings with. I would certainly recommend on campus living for sure, as it was people in my building who I spent the most time with. 

Describe your travel experiences; did you travel locally or to neighbouring countries? 

I did a lot of travel in and outside of Scotland. I wanted to do as much as possible as I don’t know when I will be back in Europe next. In total I travelled to 15 countries which was certainly amazing. I decided to do a tour of Europe at the end of semester and this was a great way to end my trip! It is definitely a lot of fun meeting people on exchange who have come from other places in the world e.g America and then going to different parts of the worlds together. Strathclyde also offered student tours around various parts of Scotland which was nice as it allowed me to see other parts of the country.

Describe how you adjusted to life in a different country and how you met new people.

I loved living in Scotland straight away. I was really lucky that I met my flat mate from America and others in my building, as we did almost everything together from the beginning. It was really nice to have friends who was also going through the adjustment period together, as well as wanted to travel and meet more people.

Can you see any benefits from this exchange to your future career?

Absolutely. It really allowed me to get an understanding of what Human Resources is like from another point of view. I believe it will also hopefully be able to show employees that I am resilient and determined as it certainly does take some courage travelling to other side of the world by yourself to study in an unfamiliar environment. And it is most certainly worth it.

What advice would you give to a student who was hesitant or considering joining the exchange program?

I would encourage all students to take part in the exchange program. It is such a good way to change up your study, make it fun and see some awesome places as well as meet some incredible people.