All about the exchange program with Jiire Fowler
Have you ever thought about pursuing an exchange as part of your program?
Jiire Fowler is entering into her fourth year with a major in Law and a minor in Community Engagement. Jiire has been active with the Law Society and was also a Law Ambassador in our department last year and is also the recipient of this year’s Transformation Scholarship.
Jiire is currently in Australia for the fall term to pursue an exchange as part of her degree! She has shared her experience in the exchange program below.
What made you decide to pursue an exchange term as part of your program?
My decision to pursue an exchange was spontaneous, as I considered and made the choice to apply less than a week before the deadline. At the time, I was genuinely enjoying my experience at Carleton. However, I began to feel that my university experience was becoming very predictable and routine. I was not particularly keen to enter another year feeling that way, and I found myself wanting something new, which gave me a renewed sense of anticipation for my university experience. I felt that an exchange would give me the opportunity to rediscover those feelings of excitement and discovery I had at the beginning of university while challenging myself in a new environment.
What did you choose Australia?
Australia has always been a country I was curious about, particularly because of its unique landscapes and history. While the opportunity to escape the Ottawa weather was definitely appealing, my decision to choose Australia was primarily driven by my academic interest in Indigenous legal issues. Throughout my time at Carleton, I have developed a strong interest in Indigenous law and the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism. Australia offered a unique opportunity to explore these issues within a different settler-colonial context. I was particularly interested in how sovereignty was never ceded through treaties. The fact that Australia has always been, and will always be, Indigenous land really resonated with me and made it a particularly meaningful place to explore questions of Indigenous sovereignty. This was also especially relevant to my academic work. I am currently writing my honours thesis on violence against Indigenous women and criminal justice system responses, using a comparative analysis of Canada and Australia. Being able to live and study in Australia has therefore given me the opportunity to engage with these topics firsthand.
What have you been enjoying about the country, and/or your classes?
I am absolutely loving my time in Australia—it has genuinely been a dream come true. The weather has been amazing, there is always something new to do and explore, and I have really enjoyed the laid-back but active lifestyle. In my first few weeks, I have loved exploring Sydney, from visiting the Harbour and Opera House to spending time at Bondi Beach and exploring the business district. Also, it has been really fun meeting and living with students from all over the world. I live in on-campus student accommodation, which has been one of the highlights of my experience.
I have also really enjoyed my classes. My tutorials have been a particular highlight because students here make a real effort to participate and engage with the lecture material, leading to some really interesting discussions. The course materials have also introduced me to topics I had never encountered before. One class I am particularly enjoying is Gender, Crime and Violence, which explores the intersections of gendered violence across a range of contexts. We have discussed topics including gender and drug education, environmental justice, and pregnancy and gendered violence. The diversity of these topics has challenged me and expanded my critical thinking.
What is one thing that stands out as being different from your experience as a student at a Canadian University?
One of the biggest differences I have noticed is how laid-back university culture feels in Australia. Of course, students work hard and professors maintain high expectations, but I have found that many Australian university students have a lot happening outside of their studies. Many of my peers work close to full-time hours while also maintaining other commitments. University seems to be an important part of their lives, but not necessarily the centre of it. This has actually been a really meaningful lesson for me personally. Throughout my education, I have struggled with allowing academics to consume and define me. Being in Australia has helped me realise that being a student is something I do, rather than something that defines who I am. I have started to think more about balance, making time for things that bring me joy outside of university, and developing an identity beyond academics. That is something I hope I will carry with me long after my exchange ends.
What advice would you give to someone interested in doing an exchange?
I would absolutely recommend going on exchange to anyone who is interested. Even if you are unsure how you would make it work, I would encourage you to apply! An exchange is a significant academic, personal, and financial commitment, but if you can make it work, I genuinely believe the experience is worth it. I would recommend doing as much research as possible before choosing where to go. Look into the city, university, courses, accommodations, things to do, and the overall student experience. Think about what you want to get out of your exchange and what kind of environment you thrive in. Specifically, the host university, city, and the accommodation you live in really shape your experience, so finding the right fit is important. If you value community, I would highly recommend a school and city known for a strong student experience and living amongst other students. I was really glad that I took the time to research and ask questions beforehand because I felt like I knew what to expect, which made the transition much easier. Finally, don’t compare your exchange experience to anyone else’s. Comparison is most definitely the thief of joy, and social media can make it easy to feel like everyone else is having a more exciting experience, but your exchange is your experience. You do not have to recreate someone else’s version of exchange to have an amazing time. Focus on what makes you happy and the experiences that are meaningful to you.