Bea is completing a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design concurrently with a Diploma of Languages (Japanese). Whilst studying, Bea has undertaken an exchange in Japan at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS).

“I’m participating in a two-semester exchange, as well as internships and language school that I will complete next year under my New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program.

“I’ve just finished my first semester of intensive Japanese language classes at NUFS. Alongside this, I have taken some media classes relevant to my Visual Communication Design degree and intend to take more next semester,” she said.

Living overseas while on exchange, Bea describes her living arrangements as a chance to make friends and share her exchange experiences with.

“At the moment, I am living on-campus at the International House dorm at NUFS. Living at I-House has been one of the best experiences of my exchange - the dorm is so well laid out and maintained, and there are so many common rooms and spaces which make it so easy to make and connect with friends from all over the world who share your exchange experience with you,” Bea said.

Evolving her language skills by having the opportunity to speak with the Japanese students she lives with, Bea has rapidly evolved her speaking skills.

“Making friends with the Residential Attendants' and having been able to talk in Japanese every single day with them has been amazing, and my language skills have increased so quickly. It’s also been great to have a chance to make such close Japanese friends that I can share my exchange experience with!” she said.

Bea plans to participate in internships in Tokyo as part of her New Colombo Plan scholarship, which will not only help her languages study and exchange opportunities, but also build a network for future career prospects.

“I plan to do an internship with an international design agency, and the other with TeamLab, a multidisciplinary team that creates exhibits that fill entire rooms with immersive and interactive art. My goal is to learn about how these industry leaders in Japan apply visual narrative and storytelling in their work and how this is different from Australia, and hopefully apply these skills and concepts in my future career,” she said.

Attributing her exchange to the New Colombo Plan Scholarship, Bea is grateful of the opportunities and plans to continue making use of her time.

“I have been able to make some of the absolute best memories of my life in the short time that I’ve been in Japan so far, and I’m sure that I will continue to make even more for the remainder of my time with the NCP program!”

Recommending international exchange to others, Bea encourages students to push their limits and be involved in the experience.

"You will be pushed to your limits in many ways, and you’ll be able to see what you’re truly capable of. You will have so many chances to make amazing new lifelong friends, not just from your host country but from students all over the world who come to study with you.

“Most importantly it’s invaluable to experience the world before you graduate, and make life-long memories,” she says.

Find out more about the Bachelor of Visual Communication Design

Bea King `

Bea King

Discover how Beatrice uses her language and design studies on her international exchange.

I have been able to make some of the absolute best memories of my life in the short time that I’ve been in Japan so far, and I’m sure that I will continue to make even more for the remainder of my time with the NCP program!