Maren Schumann (Norway)

Name: Maren Schumann

Year: 12

Country of Origin: Norway

Period of Study: Semester 2, 2018 – Semester 1, 2019

My time at Redlynch State College is ending and I will fly home to Norway on the 1st of July 2019. 

I have made many friends during my 12-month study experience in Cairns. My study choices turned out to be fun, exciting, and useful:

My achievements included being the top student in Marine Science and Marine and Aquatic Practices. 

The activities offered by Redlynch State College included a trip to the coral island ‘Green Island’, where we snorkelled and looked at the marine environment, and the habitat of the island. Of course we also relaxed on the beach. We also experienced a day out on the reef and a three day excursion studying the mangrove forests. The International Student Program students went on a trip to the Daintree, the oldest rainforest on the planet, a world heritage site and a genuine wilderness experience. 

During the school year there has been several school events such as the swimming carnival, and for the seniors, the senior camp at Tinaroo Falls Dam up on the Atherton Tableland.   

I took subjects such as marine and aquatics which are not offered at home in Norway. This has been a great opportunity to learn about the marine environment as marine science is something I find very interesting. 

I attended English as a second language lessons where I expanded my vocabulary and received support for my schoolwork by the EAL/D coordinator and teacher Mr Bertram. The International support team coordinated my stay and were always on hand to answer any question. These classes helped me achieve good marks in English and Mr Bertram also offered help with any other subject if needed. This is a great initiative from the school and I have found good use and support in these classes.  

My host family were lovely. They have always taken care of me and made sure I am safe and that I feel welcome. My host mother is a psychologist and she was an exchange student in Norway when she was 17. She therefore understands very well that it sometimes can be challenging being an exchange student. I have never been homesick during my stay, thanks to my amazing host family and all the friends I have made here. 

For my birthday, I was on an organised trip to Sydney for exchange students. As I was not at home for my birthday, they surprised me later with a dinner and cake to celebrate my special day. They have shown me some of the most beautiful places in Australia and I could not have asked for a better family to stay with. 

Overall, my experience at Redlynch State School and Tropical Far North Queensland was amazing. I had no expectation that a student exchange program could be this great. I will come back one day, and a lot of my Australian friends are already planning to come and visit me in Europe. 

A special thanks to my friends, it is not easy coming to a new place and not know anyone, so I am forever grateful and thankful for meeting so many nice students. I have made friends for life and I am so incredibly happy I chose to go to Redlynch State College. I really have to thank all the lovely people I have met here, I am grateful for how friendly and helpful they all are. I have met so many different people with different stories, and they have all been very welcoming and friendly. I also appreciate all the work the school has done for me. I have always received the help I needed and the teachers have done an amazing job by helping me pass all my subjects and get good marks. Coming to Australia and Cairns has been the best decision of my life so far and I can’t stress enough how thankful I am to have experienced all this. I will be back for sure. 

I would like to thank Redlynch State College, the International Team (especially Mr. Bertram) and my host family for the wonderful and incredible time I have had over the past 12 months.