Luiza Cruz

You know that story where the character needs to leave the big city to go to a smaller place? Well, this is exactly what happened to me. I'm from a really big city in Brazil and I decided to study abroad in a tiny city in NSW Australia called Ballina.

Everything here was different from home. I stayed with a lovely host family that helped me with everything I needed and made my life there better.

I made really good friends over here that I hope to say in contact for the following years, and during the time that I spent here I acquired a love for this city, and I can say that I don't regret my choice of living in a small town, because it was this place that changed my life.

I can say that before I came, I hated sand and cold water, but living in front of a beach with a wonderful view of the ocean changed my perspective. I walked hours in the sand and even tried to swim in the cold waters. In the afternoon I stayed to see the sunset, and the colours in the sky can't be described.

I stayed at Ballina Coast High School, a place that is different from any other school. There were group desks, so you would always sit at a really big table for six persons each. Most of the classrooms are open, with no walls or doors, just having a glass between them. You can try to join a sports team, or audition for MADD, a theatre with dance, music, etc. They have a big open space, where we can stay with our friends during break, it is just not so good when it is raining.

I can say that living without my parents and in another country for six months was difficult, but worthwhile.