What the hell is this country?? (always in a positive way) Past Review
By Xavier C (International Business/Trade/Commerce, University of Canberra) - abroad from 01/18/2015 to 05/29/2015 with
University of Canberra: Canberra - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It definitely was worth it. I have never been to Australia, it is a great country, different culture yet similar at the same time. Time differences within the country, huge land, so many ethnicities, land of aboriginals, kangaroos, deadliest animals, landscapes are amazing and people are so nice and entertaining. I think it is the experience of a lifetime, literally. I am not sure if I am going to come back to Australia because it is a long trip and you need at least 2 months free to travel properly. It is a lot of money too. But yeah, before leaving France I was a bit anxious, I didn't know what it was gonna be like, I knew some friends that flew to Australia and liked it, some others said it didn't go well... But for me, I can tell you it was very enriching both personally and professionally. I got to know a lot of people, locals, internationals aboriginals... It was so amazing I have enjoyed every second of it!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It is very interesting to be part of a foreign university. It tells me how much educational system are different and rich at the same time. Different points of view, different approaches (Australia based, USA based rather than UE based points of view e.g.). One thing I was not so comfortable with was referencing. In France we do not have to reference in this particular way. It is very specific and sometime it is nothing else but an annoying task to do. But still is interesting because I found myself in difficulties with it and I overcame it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Pretty clear. I am just not used to go online to check everything out. It is not for me but I guess I had to adapt and it is working fine now. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I live off residence, with some australians born and bread people. It is very enriching because I get to meet with their families, travel to their home town, speak about Australia and France or Europe and its differences. They are very nice and I love living with them. |
| * Food: |
Food is pretty much the same as in Europe. Apart from vegemite that my UC buddy has been trying to feed me. I don't really like it. It is similar to Marmite in the UK. It is however cheaper because the exchange rate from AUSD to EUR is interesting. (AUSD1 = €0,7cts) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel blessed because my UC buddy is a local. He has been living in Canberra since he was born and he knows a fair amount of people. He knows a lot of thing people in Canberra do, the best spots and he takes me there along with my friends and their buddy. I have learned a lot of local slang as well. Like 'maccas', 'barbie', the 'drop bear' prank and so on. Which I think means I am integrated. We organize a lot of parties or events such hiking, camping, movie nights, buddy sunday. I was surprised however about the dinner time. Most of the time people go out for dinner at 6pm. Back in France we are most likely to be at school at this time and we eat at 8pm. But my housemate eat around 8pm so it is all good. I am loving Australia so far! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not encounter any health issue so far. |
| * Safety: |
It is very safe. I haven't seen cops arresting people or huge gathering anywhere for any reasons.. I mean, it has a bunch of bad kids I reckon, but just like every city in the world. I think people are afraid of the police here. They are respected and it is great. I remember my buddy driving through these policemen for a breathing test (alcohol thing) and it was vey formal and the other cars were very patient and all. So I guess it is a cool city and very safe! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It is very easy for an european because the exchange rate is very interesting. The only issue might be the easiness of it. It can lead to some more expenses because you think "oh its alright, its always cheaper for me anyway" so I tend to spend more thinking this. But my housemates and I are spending $90 on a weekly basis for grocery which is not a lot when divided by 3 ($30 = €21) But it is alright because my parents and I planned a budget. We approximately knew how much it would cost coming over here. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | food is 30$, weekly rent is $100 and then activities might between $50 to $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For europeans, mind your spendings. Do not think like me when it comes to the exchange rate. It is interesting for sure but be careful. You can find a part time job here though, which can help you get money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | On a personal scale, I wish I knew more about Australia itself. Its very far away from Europe, we don't really talk about it that much excepts for when a shark attacks or the first new years firework in the world. I think its a very nice and interesting country that has a lot to offer and being a part of this program made me aware of it. I can now tell my friends and others going to Australia is definitely worth the money. If they want to go and study abroad, I'll tell them to come here. Besides studies, there are so many things to see and do. I am even more mature now, thank you. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Business Ethics |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Lorraine Carrey |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course (Business Ethics) is very interesting, I am enjoying it so far because it brings a lot of knowledge and cultural knowledge as it deals with everyday life. Not just business. However, in the tutorials (and not only in this particular course), tutors should ask if there are any international students. I mean okay I am doing good at English (writing and listening) but it remains a foreign language for me. Sometimes my classmates speak way too fast, put on a strong accent or joke about something (different humour from France) and I just don't get it. I don't feel like asking them to repeat because obviously they speak fast and there are a lot of information and I just don't want to interrupt. The work however is very clear and well explained in tutorials which is a positive point because it helps me understand the assignments better. However, in another class (entrepreneurship by Diane Phillips) the assessments are not so clear. I am a bit disappointed because for instance, this first assignment was called "Book review" and I did the book review, but apparently I haven't written an academic paper because the exercise was to read the book and read literature beside and backup the book with the litterature. But the tutor only said that after the assignment was due and in the Unit Outline, it wasn't clear at all. It didn't even mention the backup bit. This is also why they have to make sure about having international students or not in their class. The tutor sent me an email stating "I thought referencing was an international thing", well I am afraid but no. If he had made sure about it, he would have known it and explain it to me on top of the Student Skills. Apart from all the difficulties, it is very interesting to see how people study overseas. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | The semester still is not over, but I am sure I won't have any issues on that. |
