Mainz - A New Life

I've titled this experience Mainz - A New Life - because that's what it gave me. A whole new life. New experiences, new friendships, new memories & a new me. Undertaking an exchange in a foreign country, of which I knew nothing about was by far the most scariest and most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life. And Mainz is what made it amazing. A beautiful town, big enough to get lost in, but small enough to find what you need.

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I went there to attend a semester to course the Design studies at the FH. After a week of my arrival, I had met many of my future friends, and saw myself 48 hours later on a jampacked train ride, dressed in a full costume dirndl, about to attend the last day of the Oktoberfest. Probably one of the most spontaneous & craziest 48 hours I ever did on my exchange trip. After a week of partying & getting to know everyone, the semester started. However, the party did not stop.

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The organisational skills of those who ran the parties & get together's for the international students in Mainz were unbelievable. It's what brought everyone together, it's what made my trip amazing. Everything, from pot luck dinners and boat cruises to weekend trips away. The school provided everything I needed, and the local students were the best. I never knew I'd find one of my closest friends in a class of German students! I'm now back in Australia - but still keep in regular contact with all the new friendships I've made - from America to Portugal. I even visited some of the friends I made in Germany - in New York!

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Being on this exchange gave me the opportunity to do things I'd never thought I'd do or see. It made me realise how strong I can be. To live on my own, in a foreign land - start everything a new. I was lucky that I chose Mainz. Such a beautiful town, with beautiful people. Highlights, was the market, set under the cathedral - which I could go to in the morning and get the yummiest fruits and vegies, the amazing christmas markets, the beautiful scenery. I was also lucky enough to see Mainz in Autumn and Winter - it truely was a white Christmas, absolutley stunning. I've made it my no. 1 priority to get back to europe ASAP. I really fell in love with Mainz!