The internship I am doing is part of the Biomedical Engineering master's program. My internship takes place at the University of Queensland, at the Centre for Advanced Imaging, which is in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. The international character of Brisbane and its laid-back atmosphere is what attracted me to this city. The University of Queensland is enormous compared to the TU/e. What I like a lot is that the campus has a lot of greenery: you can take a walk around lakes and it doesn't even feel like you're at the campus anymore - sometimes I need to watch my step, otherwise I'll step on a lizard.

I was planning to be a proud Dutchman and bike to work, but Brisbane is a city with over 2 million inhabitants and does not facilitate bicycles, so I’d rather not do a dangerous route two times a day. The city itself has nice parks and there is a lot to do during the day (!). However, this is the biggest culture difference: Australians wake up very early and end their day early. 7 pm you won't see a lot of people on the street anymore, and 9 pm will feel like the city has died down. Except for Fortitude Valley, which is like the Stratumseind of Brisbane. Other than that, the culture here is mostly the same as in The Netherlands, except that people are more relaxed that in the Netherlands.

At first, it can feel overwhelming to be so far away from family and friends and to not have anyone to hang out with. But, this feeling quickly fades! After work I sometimes hang out with friends, but the real reason I have come to Australia are the weekends. Every weekend feels like a short backpacking trip, making daytrips or visiting place and staying there for multiple days.

The surroundings in Brisbane are absolutely beautiful: beaches, mountains and national parks.Exploring every weekend without a break can feel like a lot, but it’s worth it to soak up as much of Australia as possible.Going abroad can be intimidating, and expensive, but it is definitely worth experiencing and something you won't forget!

I have already been warned by the locals how hot it can get in the upcoming months, and they don't find me that smart when I say that I will still be visiting a lot of places, including the Australian desert in the midst of summer. Although I have moments when I miss the Netherlands, I am having a great time and I am excited to explore Australia, to travel around the east coast, and to have the surfer's attitude for just a couple of months.

Anyone who wants to know more may email Danny .