Learning Across Continents: Meet Alumnus Andrew Patterson

“I can’t recommend transferring abroad enough,” said Andrew Patterson. “It really opened my eyes to what the rest of the world is like, what other people and cultures are like. I think it was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.”

After completing his associate degree at South Puget Sound Community College, Andrew transferred to Deakin University in Victoria, Australia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Creative Writing in 2023. He recently returned to Washington after two years abroad and reflected on his experience starting at SPSCC and his move to a university on the other side of the world.

Choosing SPSCC originally was a practical decision for Andrew. It was close to home, affordable, and he hadn't yet settled on a specific direction for his studies. It wasn’t until Andrew took an anthropology class with Professor Patrick Chapman that he realized his true passion.

“Anthropology was something I learned to love here at SPSCC,” he shared. “It made me realize I didn’t know a lot about the world and I wanted to change that. It’s stuck with me ever since and it’s a topic I can read about for hours. Studying was fun because there’s just so much to learn.”

Andrew has always been interested in creative writing, and after discovering his interest in anthropology, he became dedicated to building his skills to someday combine the two.

In his final year at SPSCC, Andrew was introduced to the transfer opportunities to Deakin University thanks to Professor Chapman.

“I had that ‘this is exactly what I want to do’ moment. The opportunity came at the perfect time,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what would happen next, so I decided I might as well go for it.”

Professor Chapman immediately connected Andrew to a representative from Deakin University and his transfer abroad process officially began. He shared a few of the challenges including figuring out how to fit his entire life into one or two pieces of luggage and navigating the complexities of paperwork. Andrew was thankful for the constant support he received from SPSCC and Deakin along the way.

“There was a huge support network that helped me and they were very active. I was surprised by all the different ways I could connect with them. I was never a face-to-face or phone call person, so it was great to have chatbots and email as an option.”

Once Andrew made it to Australia, he quickly immersed himself in his new environment. He explored Deakin, with one of his favorite features being a park that runs through the campus that’s home to a variety of native birds and wildlife. His exploration extended to the cities of Melbourne and Warrnambool along with countless parks, museums, and restaurants. Even though he was in a different country, he found comfort in some of the similarities Victoria shared with Olympia, including the weather and a shared love for coffee.

“I was able to fit so much into my day because of my flexible schedule,” Andrew shared. “I felt very prepared when making the transition to university. Both SPSCC and Deakin have such robust online options. The programs and classes were similar, so I didn’t have to waste time relearning everything. SPSCC already gave me a great foundation.”

While he enjoyed every minute of his exploration and the educational experience, Andrew was surprised at how much personal growth came out of his time at Deakin.

“It was just so eye-opening…to see the world from a different perspective, one I never considered before. I’d walk around the city and hear so many different languages, way more than anything I experienced living in Washington. I felt so small in a good way. It was a reminder that there was so much out there, so much to learn and so many people to meet. 

“If transferring abroad is something that interests you, do it,” Andrew said. “There are so many people who will help you do it. I’ve only been home for a month but I already know I want to do it again.”

Andrew hopes to continue his educational journey at Otago University in New Zealand, where he aspires to complete his Master's in Anthropology and eventually earn a PhD. His ultimate goal is to become a professor, as he has experienced firsthand the transformative power of education and opportunity, and hopes to get into research and archaeology.

“A part of me will always be at SPSCC and now Deakin. Transferring abroad made me realize what I want out of my education and my future. I'm looking forward to what happens next.”