Reflections & Impressions
Video Testimonials
To hear program participants discuss their experiences, click Video
Testimonials.
Reflections
We learnt a lot in organisational and communicational skills, and the overall experience made me realise how much I love fashion, and that I definitely want a career in the industry. It got me thinking of all the possibilities and what I can achieve in the future.
Box Hill Institute GEN Exchange Student
Study Tour to ITE Singapore, July 2008
It's such an awesome experience bringing you closer to other students and learning about student's lives and lifestyles from another country is a real eye opener.
Box Hill Institute GEN Exchange Student
Study Tour to ITE Singapore, July 2008
Do it! It's a fantastic experience that is very fulfilling. Highly recommended.
Box Hill Institute GEN Exchange Student
Study Tour to ITE Singapore, July 2008
I was very happy to be part of the exchange and think it was a wonderful thing for our course to be part of, to both show off our skills and spread the word about our course. The staff and students we can in to contact with were all so lovely and thoughtful. It was lovely to be so cared for! I hope more opportunities like this arise for me and for other students.
Box Hill Institute GEN Exchange Student
Study Tour to ITE Singapore, July 2008
I came to Melbourne not knowing really what to expect. However every class, tour, trip and experience that I have had the change to take per in I have loved! Everyone here has been so helpful, friendly and constantly making sure we are having a good time here. I couldn't have asked for a better experience and trip all round. I appreciate the planning and organisation and am very sad to have to leave. Thanks for everything!
SAIT GEN Exchange Student
Short Exchange to Box Hill Institute, May 2008
I had such a wonderful positive experience here. The hands on learning really helped tie in the theory that I had learned at SAIT. The people (staff and students) were fantastic.
SAIT GEN Exchange Student
Short Exchange to Box Hill Institute, May 2008
My program (Hospitality) was very structured and has been put together well. The amount of information and excursions we did was unbelievable. Nothing but the best things to say about Box Hill and Melbourne.
SAIT GEN Exchange Student
Short Exchange to Box Hill Institute, May 2008
It was all top notch, loved it, and would recommend it to any student.
KCC GEN Exchange Student
Short Exchange to Box Hill Institute, May 2008
Canada Trip Expands Horizons
Alice Berry
A group of Box Hill Institute students and teachers travelled to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Canada during September 2005.
The three-week exchange was organised through the Institute's Global Education Network (GEN) and included classes as well as industry, and tourist visits.
The group included three students from the Centre for Building & Furniture Studies, two from the Centre for Automotive, Transport & Engineering and three from the Centre for Hospitality & Tourism Studies.
Automotive teacher Adrian Lea and hospitality teacher Catherine Dubois accompanied the students. Adrian said he noticed a big difference in the structure of the two Institutes.
"Box Hill Institute is driven by government funding and apprenticeships, while apprenticeships are only a small part of the automotive program at SAIT," he said. "Our automotive students have more practical skills than their Canadian counterparts, as their automotive program is more theory-based."
Adrian said there were also opportunities for the automotive students to work in Canada one day. "There seems to be a real shortage of tradespeople over there," he said.
Building student Alastair Morris is completing a Certificate III in General Construction and is a third-year apprentice with the Housing Industry Association. Alastair found the major difference between Box Hill Institute and SAIT was the technology.
"SAIT has state-of-the-art equipment and brand new tools every year, with the previous year's tools being auctioned off to the apprentices," he said. "The trip has been really inspiring for me. After I finish my apprenticeship, I'd like to work overseas."
Box Hill Institute provided the return airfares for the trip and a cheque for $450 per participant thanks to a Konica Minolta sponsorship.
The Housing Industry Association assisted with accommodation expenses for the three building students.
SAIT Polytechnic visits Box Hill Institute 2006
Surf's up!
Surfing was the best part of the exchange. It was incredibly bizarre because I have never even seen a surfer before! It was similar to snowboarding but a lot warmer (and wetter!) We had an instructor who was an amazing surfer – he showed off a bit at the end of the lesson and stood on his head. The experience showed how different the lifestyle of Canadians and Australians can be. Although I drank a lot of salty seawater, I would love to do it all again…
(Chelsea, SAIT 2006).
Classroom observation
The Advanced Operating Systems 2 (AOS) class dealt with Microsoft's ISA 2004 server and was not something we had covered at SAIT. While it was based on a book curriculum the labs that were completed after the reading were very hands on. And thanks to the small class sizes, if any problems had arisen, it was very quick in terms of the instructor. Also sitting in on a class I haven't taken at SAIT was really informative, and actually taught me things about ISA 2004 I didn't know, and can now implement in industry when I return to work in the summer. As everyone in the class was at the same general level it was easy to ask questions and participate with other students, even if it was just from over their shoulders!
(Bryan, SAIT 2006)
Industry exposure
I really enjoyed the BMW training centre visit. The visit showed me the strict training procedures and protocols BMW technicians must adhere to in order to maintain the prestige of the BMW name. The visit impacted on me by giving me ideas as to how to run and operate a high-end garage. In addition, the visit also showed me the cross-cultural nuances between Australian, Canadian and German business practices. The tour basically consisted of viewing the training facility for the technicians and the office staff. The facility itself is highly sophisticated and well equipped with the most cutting edge tools. I one day strive to operate a garage with the same level of sophistication and technology.
(Tri, SAIT 2006)
The BMW Training Centre was such a great experience. We actually got shown a cut away of their new valve lift technology and even saw the CSL M5, a car that I can only dream about! BMW has set a standard on the quality of work around Australia, and I can not wait to get back home and research the local BMW centres and find out if there is a similar centre to which I might apply.
(Austin, SAIT 2006)
The most exceptional experience I received from my exchange to Melbourne, Australia has changed me as a person. It is the experience of being completely immersed in an alien culture and being able to interact with and be that culture. Most tourists to Melbourne are unable to fully immerse themselves into what it is like to be a native Melbournian. I learned with them, ate with them, laughed with them and partied with them. I always find myself referring back to my exchange while in casual conversation. Whether it is explaining how far it is from Melbourne to the red center, or what 'Fair dinkum' means, my exchange to Box Hill Institute has embedded in me invaluable traits that could not have been attained any other way.
GEN exchange student
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Polytechnic 2004
I have always believed that the benefits of world travel far outweigh the required financial investment. Every individual I meet contributes to who I am. The wider the diversity of people I meet, the broader my cultural understanding becomes, allowing me to incorporate the positive characteristics of others into my own life.
GEN exchange student
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Polytechnic
First Impressions
Chiara, Sam, Sarah and Tyler go to KCC
Sam and Tyler (Automotive) and Sarah and Chiara (Hospitality & Tourism)
from Box Hill Institute write about their first impressions as exchange
students arriving in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA.
KCC's Iron Chefs
I confess that I was not expecting too much to be gained from attending classes at Kirkwood Community College as we were only visiting for just over two weeks. However, it seemed it was the mission of Chefs Dave, David, Marjorie and Janelle to expose me to and include me in the highlights of all their classes.
The Garde Manger dinner was very exciting to witness; we have
nothing like it at Box Hill Institute. I was able to assist the other students
with the production of their menu items and taste them all too!
(Chiara)
The green Midwest
My first thoughts on arrival in the Midwest, Cedar Rapids, IA, were what
a very clean, beautiful city. The trees were just beginning to change for
fall and the air was crisp and clean. The grass was just so green. We could
not believe that the grass on the side of the road was not brown and sun-burnt
as it is in Australia.
(Sam)
A hole-in-the-wall — Iowa style
What struck me the most was the drive through ATMs — they were everywhere.
They even had a place that had five or six in the one spot lined up like
petrol pumps at the service station. In true Aussie style we did a walk
through the ATM on a few occasions as there was one just up from our hotel.
(Sarah)
Big business in Iowa
The majority of cars in America were big — large pick ups. As our
time went on we were noticing a lot of other big thing such as the size
of pharmacies and the range of things you could purchase there. We went
to Wal-Mart which was a shock to us because of the size and also the number
of different sections. There is a bottle-shop, a gun and hunting section,
a supermarket and most surprisingly a Subway and Starbucks plus all the
usual things. Everything over in America is big and awesome!
(Tyler)
Greg Barr
Read Greg Barr's first impressions of life in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Aussie fauna
This picture was taken on our Great Ocean Road trip. It was our first encounter with Aussie animals, so we pulled to the shoulder of the road to get a better look. In the ten minutes or so that followed we saw five or six more koalas, plus a tour bus, a van and five or six cars who all pulled over to see what we were all staring into the trees for!
Mornington Peninsula
This was a great afternoon down on the Mornington Peninsula, a couple of hours from Melbourne. Anthony really made us feel welcome, and was great host. The day was filled with great food, wine and our laughs with our new Australian friends.
Around the bay
It was interesting to see some of the smaller communities around the bay where lots of people have vacation homes and where people came to surf and get away from the city. The ferry ride was a small piece in a very well organized trip and we travelled across from Queenscliff to Sorrento. We travelled on through the Mornington Peninsula before returning to Melbourne.
Federation Square
To me Federation Square represents what it represents to most people living in Melbourne — the new contemporary Melbourne. I had a couple of really nice meals in 'Fed' Square. It's a really exciting area with the ultra modern design and cool lights.
PS Greg has recently landed a position in one of Chicago's top-five restaurants.