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Experience the world: learn a new language via cultural immersion
20 February 2025
Overseas learning adventures to grow your horizons
The School of Languages and Cultures offers the In-Country Experiences program for undergraduate students to gain new language and culture skills through intensive units of study with partner institutions around the globe.
As part of the University’s Open Learning Environment (OLE), the In-Country Experiences program equips students with valuable skills in cultural competence through local site visits and immersive activities that develop beginner-level proficiency in a new language. The 6-credit point language and culture units are delivered in partnership with distinguished universities and institutes.
The University continues to grow global partnerships, including with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). In 2024, DFAT’s New Colombo Plan short-term mobility project grant enabled the University to provide equity scholarships and support a diversity of students to participate in OLE units to Japan, China and Korea.
More than 2,100 students from various faculties and schools have embarked on transformative international experiences since the program's inception in 2018. We caught up with some of them who shared about their time overseas:
Experience the Arab World
“Learning Arabic with Sijal Institute in Jordan was an incredible experience – made unforgettable by enthusiastic teachers, fantastic guest speakers, tours and a great bunch of fellow University of Sydney students. Classes were welcoming and fun, filled with skits and games to help us with our beginner Arabic skills. The challenge of learning totally new sounds, scripts and vocabulary was really rewarding and taught me so much about the origins and spread of languages around the world.”
– Grace Street, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies and Diploma of Language Studies
Experience China
“The greatest advantage in learning a language in the native country is the language environment we are in. Our classes focused on spoken and practical Mandarin skills, which were useful when traveling around the city. We were immersed in Chinese culture by savouring the local foods, visiting historical sites and interacting with locals. I also learnt more about the Chinese culture and made a lot of fun memories with some of the loveliest people. By exploring Beijing for three weeks, I learned to appreciate China's rich culture and history as well as modern China.”
– James Oen, Bachelor of Commerce
Experience the French-speaking World
“Learning French in Lyon was the best experience. Embarking on an overseas language immersion is a captivating voyage into the heart of linguistic and cultural enrichment. The structure of the lessons were perfect for beginners – maximising language acquisition by the end of the three weeks. This experience gave me so many opportunities which wouldn’t have been possible on my own, and experiencing another language and culture with fellow students from a diverse range of backgrounds was truly exceptional.”
– Robert Weeden, Bachelor of Advanced Computing
Experience Germany
Being immersed in Berlin while learning the German language, culture and history really solidified the learning experience. Seeing first-hand where history was made was a phenomenal experience. As someone born and raised in Sydney, after spending just a couple weeks in Germany I came to see that there is a whole world out there. Participating in this program gave me a new perspective of the world and other cultures.”
– Jonathan Bui, Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) and Bachelor of Science
Experience Israel
“Being surrounded by native speakers and the cultural environment enhanced my language learning journey like never before. I discovered the benefits of gaining insights into a rich and diverse culture, connecting with locals on a deeper level and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Experiencing a new culture broadened my perspectives and made me more open-minded. Learning Hebrew in Jerusalem was a truly immersive experience.”
– Wenxi Ou, Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Software Engineering) and Bachelor of Commerce
Experience Italy
“I chose to learn Italian because it sounds beautiful and has such a rich history embedded. Learning Italian in Padova was a surreal experience. We had an amazing tutor who made the experience easier and better. She was so encouraging and I never felt silly for asking questions. The experience made me realise the importance of venturing out of my comfort zone to learn and understand new languages and cultures, so we can appreciate and embrace them.”
– Adeline Chai, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications)
Experience Japan (Tohoku)
“Experiencing Japan has taught me how to foster cross-cultural collaboration and build positive relationships with people from different cultures. I’m able to use these abilities to work effectively in multinational teams and contribute to an inclusive workplace environment. Tohoku University offered a variety of cultural activities, such as wearing the yukata (traditional summer garment), participating in shodo (Japanese calligraphy) workshops and traditional tea ceremonies.”
– Alyssa Liang Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Advanced Studies
Experience Japan (Tokyo)
“The Japanese intensive program with Rikkyo University was very well-thought out, well-taught and well-planned. It made it easy for complete beginners to grasp the language and hiragana writing system, and I found that it was a great program to build the foundations of the language before pursuing it seriously. Interacting with locals like university students made me realise how language is an important tool to understand others deeply.”
– Ivy Nguyen, Bachelor of Arts
Experience Korea
“It was such an enjoyable experience to learn the Korean language in Korea! My initial knowledge of the Korean language was limited to ‘annyeonghaseyo’ (‘hello’). After three weeks of learning Korean, the language barrier became easier to overcome in day-to-day activities. Being in a class of absolute beginners, we helped one another build up our Korean vocabulary and simple conversation.”
– Nandini Dhir, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications)
Experience the Spanish-speaking World
“I had no background in Spanish and wanted to learn a new language and culture. I discovered how useful Spanish is for communication worldwide, as it’s one of the most widely spoken native languages in the world. The Spanish language course at the University of Valladolid was intensive and challenging at times, but it also led to an immense improvement in my Spanish skills. Experiencing another culture and language deeply is useful in becoming more open-minded and sensitive to cultural differences.”
– Dominique D’Silva, Bachelor of Psychology
Worth 6 credit points, In-Country Experience units are open to undergraduate students with little to no experience in the language to gain new language skills through cultural immersion with our partner institutions around the world.
Browse our playlist of student videos on the School of Languages and Cultures Facebook page.