Two years ago, I was on a trip with my parents during China National Day holiday. I was waiting for my visa to be approved, and feeling excited and nervous of studying in Australia.

I imagined lots of stories about how would I spend the two years and how my life would be after two years study, but none of them could compare with the actual days of Australia that I have been through.

After exams in this trimester, I nearly finish the two years study in UNE. All the memories start flashing back in my brain like a movie, which are vivid and splendid.

I’m pretty sure most of the international students have had the most memorable life experiences here in Armidale, the paths we’ve been through are similar but also unique for each of us.

I just want to share these memories, as an international student, with you and looking back the way of falling in love with Armidale.

Do you still remember the first time you have to say goodbye and come to a different country to live by yourself, just because you have a dream of becoming a person that your parents are proud of?

But don’t worry, UNE offered us the best service of picking us up and also showing us around in town.

Not just the picking-up services, all the other assistances that have been provided by UNE staff are really careful and wonderful. In no more than a week, you could feel you are at home again.

Do you remember the first time you walked to town and lost your way back when carrying lots of groceries?

But don’t worry, the people in Armidale will greet you by “good day mate” and point your way back. The generous assistance by the people in Armidale happened so much that I cannot count.

I even met a dog that followed me from town to university and yelled at me when I’m going in the wrong direction. I have to say the dog was smarter than me in remembering the road.

Do you remember the first time you felt so disappointed at a lecture because you could not understand what the lecturer said?

But don’t worry, your lecturers are patient enough to explain every question you have, as long as you are engaged to learn and ask.

I have to say, all the lecturers and tutors I have met are so great and I actually learned a lot from them. Not just in spreading knowledge but also in the way of being a respectful human. I will always remember the support and encouragement they provided for me when I fell down.

Time flies when you are enjoying yourself. After we have become familiar with Armidale and start loving Armidale, we suddenly realise there’s only a few months to spend with her.

It’s so hard to say goodbye to someone or something that you really love. I think after all the years in Armidale, we have become part of this town.

The arrival of us, as international students, also made Armidale more diverse, more generous and more attractive. It might be hard for Armidale to wave goodbye to us as well.

Although we cannot control the time, we could make great use of time and enjoy everything that happened to us. Enjoying the last few months in Armidale, enjoying the last few months with koala and kangaroo, enjoying the clear sky and wild land.

We flew thousands of miles to come to Australia, it is a worthy and long-time trip. I hope we could keep these memories in mind and take the courage to start another adventure.