Alex Campbell has stepped into a new world on the Gold Coast - all sun, sand and surf.
But over the weekend the Canadian got a taste of home, making his debut with the Brisbane Lightning in the Australian Ice Hockey League.
Even better, he played alongside his cousin Bradley Campbell.
The Canadian duo moved Down Under to study Juris Doctor degrees at Bond University but made sure to pack their ice skates.
Bradley was the first to arrive in Australia in August 2023.
“I heard about Bond through another Canadian student who did a year out here, and he had an amazing experience,” Bradley said.
Inspired by Bradley’s move, Alex followed suit, arriving this year.
“I’m very interested in international affairs and law, and Bond is a great opportunity to study with students from abroad,” Alex said.
Ice skating is to Canadians what footy is to Australians - it’s part of our lives before we can even remember.
“I was probably three years old and my dad had me on skates,” Bradley said.
“I’m from Prince Edward Island. It’s a small community and there's not much else to do, so anytime we would play we’d have the rink full, everyone from the community would come and watch.”
The cousins have both played ice hockey for Canadian colleges and Alex has played abroad in Germany for the Rostock Piranhas.
“I’ve been lucky that hockey has taken me all over the world,” Alex said.
“I can't even remember when I started skating, it's just something that's always been a part of my life.”
Bradley joined the Brisbane Lightning team soon after arriving in Australia.
“When you move away and you don't have anything, you sort of resort to what you know,” Bradley said.
With the pair on debut, the Lightning beat the Perth Thunder 6-5.
“There are some really good Australian players,” Bradley said.
“We also have quite a few import players on the team. Some great overseas players come out to play here.”
“I was surprised by the size of the hockey community here, even though it's not big like in Canada, the people are very passionate,” Alex said.
When they're not buried in law books or on the ice rink, the two are hoping to soak up some Australian sporting culture.
“I’m hoping to get a taste of AFL and rugby whilst I’m here and experience a new culture,” Alex said.