Some students find that pursuing a degree abroad is a great way to gain international experience while completing their education. Griffith University, an NSHSS Collaborating University in Australia, shares with us the story of Michael Bidwell, a student from Michigan pursing a dual Bachelor of Science (Environment) and Bachelor of Laws degree.
Read more about Mike’s story and his journey to Griffith:
Mike is a 4th year Griffith Honours College student, currently studying at Griffith University. Mike is a very active member of the student community and has done so much more than just study during his time at Griffith. He has gone to Prague for the International Youth Leadership Conference, attended the International Youth Leadership Conference in Malaysia, volunteered for various community and environmental non-for-profit organisations and is a University Student Leader.
Q: Why did you choose to study in Australia?
A: I had always wanted to visit Australia so I came for 10 days in 2010 and it immediately felt like home. I’ve always been an adventurous person and I saw this as my opportunity to explore at a young age so I packed up my bags in February 2012 and decided to give it a chance!
Q: Why did you choose to study at Griffith University?
A: There were a few reasons I decided to study at Griffith University. The most important one would probably be my acceptance into the Griffith Honours College because it is such an amazing opportunity. It provides multiple professional development events to make you into the best graduate you can be. There are honours colleges back in America but they are more focused on just academics. The Griffith Honours College has a focus on the community as well and how we can make a difference in another person’s life which really appealed to me. Another reason I decided to study at Griffith was because I was very impressed with how helpful all the staff is. The campus tours were very informative when I came to visit in 2010 and I really appreciated how they had students talk to me so it was not a biased opinion. I have already said this before, but Griffith University was cheaper than most universities back home and I could get my degree faster. The reason I chose Griffith University out of Australia is because I honestly felt like a person rather than just a number when I toured the campuses.
Q: What is the best thing about your program?
A: I have always wanted to make a difference for environmental sustainability in order to prevent climate change. My program is an excellent match for what I want to do with my life because the environmental science obviously teaches me about all the practices to lower human impact on the environment while the law courses will allow me to put those practices in place in order to actually make a difference.
Q: What is the best thing about being in the Honours program?
A: The Honours College has provided me with an incredible support team which was essential when I made the big move over here from America as well as providing me with incredible professional development events that I probably would have never attended if I was not in the Honours College.
The best thing about being in the Griffith Honours College has definitely been going to an event that was put on to promote The Schoolbag which enables children in poorer countries to pursue an education by providing them with enough school supplies for a year. The Schoolbag has already had successful trips to Haiti and I will be joining them in East Timor with a few other Honours College students.
Read more about Griffith University programs and our prestigious Honours College.