Thursday, May 29, 2025
By: Alessia Amendola
Students at the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management can take their education overseas, expanding their knowledge in construction management while being exposed to a new culture.
The Australia exchange program is a 16-week immersive experience offered during the fall or spring semester, allowing students to expand their skills in an international setting.
For Victor Mejer, a recent graduate at the Rinker School, studying abroad was an experience he never expected to do alone—but it became one of his most memorable journeys.
“It’s not something I ever thought I would do. I’ve never been alone—I’ve always had my parents at home and my friends close by. But going to Australia by myself and stepping out of my comfort zone has shaped the person I am today,” Mejer said.
Students can study at one of two locations: the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne or the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, which both offer experiences tailored for students.
James G. Sullivan, director of the undergraduate program, emphasizes the importance of students having the opportunity to study abroad, especially in construction management.
“Providing an opportunity for international exposure, this program enriches the college experience. Within the school, it allows students to learn more about their field outside the United States, specifically in construction in Australia, while ensuring they can complete the program without delaying their graduation,” Sullivan said.
Mejer said Australia places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Much of his work involved applying his knowledge to projects and understanding how elements like color, design and structure contributed to a community as a whole.
“One of my projects was to design an entire community to accommodate 15,000 people in Fishermans Bend, an area of Melbourne,” Mejer said. “I also had to write a report explaining why I chose each specific item for the community. I learned so much from the experience, and now these considerations are in my mind as I prepare to start my job after graduation.”
In addition to being in the classroom, Mejer took the opportunity to explore different parts of Australia, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
“I booked my first surfing lesson through an app called GetYourGuide and ended up at a beach in Melbourne called St. Kilda,” Mejer said. “The better waves were a two-hour trip away. Getting there was an adventure in itself—I had to take a train and a bus, but along the way, I met other people who were also heading to the lesson. I surfed for an hour that day, and I loved it so much that I went back three weekends in a row—twice on my own and once with my roommate.”
Mejer, trying something new, is what Sullivan encourages for students studying abroad. He emphasized that stepping out of one’s comfort zone helps students return with greater confidence and improved social skills—valuable assets not only in everyday life but also the field of construction management.
For students studying abroad in Australia with the Rinker School, Mejer offered a final piece of advice: “Travel as much as you possibly can,” he said. “Take advantage of the opportunity to be in Australia, make friends and embrace different cultures. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”