17 April, 2025
Ten years ago, as a fresh 15-year-old, I boarded a plane from Melbourne to Vancouver, Vancouver to Cranbrook, and finally made it to Kimberley, British Columbia. Looking back at that teenager now, at 25, I’m struck by how much that single decision shaped who I am today.
I still marvel at my parents’ courage (or stupidity) – sending your child literally across the world takes a special kind of trust and foresight. What seemed like madness then now reads as one of the greatest gifts they could have given me, the gift of independence and global perspective before I’d even finished high school. (I honestly still don’t know how they agreed)
That first day walking into a Canadian high school remains clear in my memory – the anxiety, the unfamiliar faces, the sudden awareness of my very Melbourne outfit in a sea of plaid and ski jackets. Yet, within five months, leaving became the first true heartbreak I’d ever experienced, as Kimberley really had become my second home. And in hindsight, that first day of school is actually one of the most special days to me, as I met one of my best friends, who, although we live half a globe apart, I love her dearly. (Noelle, if you’re reading this, hey girl)
The beauty of exchange isn’t just experiencing another country but also the international community you suddenly find yourself part of. While I formed deep connections with many Canadian locals, I also built friendships with Germans, Swiss, Mexicans, New Zealanders, and more. We were all there as foreigners, creating a unique bond transcending our different backgrounds. Some days, I even heard more German than English.
What’s most remarkable is how these connections have endured. Over the decade since, I’ve had the joy of reunions across multiple continents: New Zealand in 2017, Switzerland in 2019, back to Canada in 2023, and Germany just last year. Each time, it’s as if no time has passed. Despite years apart, we pick up conversations with ease, the mark of friendships forged during a uniquely transformative time.
Sitting on my couch today, I recognise that five-month period as the foundation for so much that followed. I arrived at 15 years old but “left 18 in confidence,” as I like to say. My worldview expanded, my independence grew, and my appetite for exploring different cultures was only beginning. The greatest lesson from my exchange wasn’t found in any classroom. It was the profound understanding that there are countless valid ways to live, think, and see the world. This perspective has influenced my decisions, relationships, and ambitions in ways I’m still discovering a decade later.
To my teenage self boarding that plane with terror and excitement – thank you for taking that leap. The journey that began with that first nervous step into a Canadian high school has become a lifelong adventure of connection across continents and cultures. And it’s nowhere near finished yet.
Katrina’s Compass Rating:
Semester abroad 10/10