One Exchange, A Wider World: Elisha’s Journey Beyond the Classroom
As the world of work becomes increasingly global and interconnected, the future of work demands adaptability, cross-cultural collaboration and openness to new perspectives. These skills are deemed as important as classroom learning, while also strengthening graduates’ employability for diverse and evolving career opportunities.
For SIM–University of Wollongong Bachelor of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence and Big Data) student Elisha Tan, a semester abroad expanded her horizons and developed those skills first-hand. Her exchange was supported by SIM Study Abroad Award, a programme under the SIM Impact Fund (SIF).
Prior to her exchange, Elisha had assumed that exploring different Australian states would be the most memorable part of her time at the University of Wollongong. Instead, it was a simple moment spent watching the sunrise at Kiama with a group of friends that left the deepest impression as she reflected on the opportunities that had brought her there.
More than the destination itself, Elisha had come to appreciate the people she had met and the experiences that had shaped her journey.
Her semester abroad was made possible through the SIM Study Abroad Award, a programme under the SIM Impact Fund that supports students in pursuing overseas exchange opportunities and broadening their global perspectives. The award enabled Elisha to spend five months at the University of Wollongong in Australia, from February to July 2026.
When Elisha first applied for the exchange programme, she was not simply looking for an opportunity to travel.
"I wanted to know what learning was like beyond the classroom at SIM," she explains. "I wanted to put myself in unfamiliar situations and acquire skills that would help me grow academically and personally."
Her aim was to experience different teaching styles and technologies, while gaining greater exposure to people from different cultures and backgrounds.
The experience delivered exactly that.
During her exchange, Elisha met students from countries including Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Japan, India and many others. She came to appreciate that differences in culture, personality, beliefs and life experiences need not prevent people from forming meaningful friendships. The experience taught her to listen more, appreciate different perspectives and become more understanding towards others.
The skills acquired from the exchange have extended to her academic life: greater emphasis on critical thinking, discussion and self-directed learning, encouraging her to take greater ownership of her studies, manage her time effectively, and ask for help when she needed it.
Adapting to a new environment was not always easy.
When Elisha first arrived, she spent time exploring Sydney and Wollongong with her parents. By the time she joined orientation activities, many of her peers had already begun forming friendships.
"I noticed everyone else was making friends while I was still following my parents around," she recalls. "I felt like I was falling behind socially."
However, a simple piece of advice transformed Elisha’s experience. A roommate she had only just met told her to just say yes to new opportunities.
Elisha took the advice to heart. From dinners and road trips to study sessions and campus events, saying yes opened the door to new friendships and experiences.
Looking back, the exchange gave her something she had not anticipated: greater confidence navigating unfamiliar environments.
Moving between different academic, social, and cultural settings taught Elisha to adapt quickly, communicate across different cultures, and step out of her comfort zone.
She believes these are experiences that will continue to shape her next step after graduation in the tech industry, where working with people from different backgrounds and adapting to ever-changing environments will be increasingly important.
For Elisha, the sunrise at Kiama has come to represent more than a memorable moment. It captures what the SIM Study Abroad Award gave her — the courage to step beyond the familiar, embrace new possibilities and see the world through a wider lens. A reminder that some of life’s most meaningful lessons take place beyond the classroom — in the people we meet, the places we discover and the experiences we choose to embrace.
About the SIM Study Abroad Award
The SIM Study Abroad Award, a programme under SIM Impact Fund, provides financial support to eligible SIM Global Education (SIM GE) students participating in approved overseas exposure programmes. The SIM Impact Fund is a $60M, 10-year transformative initiative that creates pathways and boosts the employability of learners.