Very nice Past Review
By jessica.tam.716 (Psychology, Other, Hong Kong Institute of Education) - abroad from 02/09/2015 to 05/31/2015 with
University of Canberra: Canberra - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
To be more independent Going on trips and visit different parts of Australia are the most worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although there are only four units in UC, which is much fewer compared to HKIEd, the work load here is quite heavy, and assignments account for quite a lot of percentage in a subject. Teachers' expectations on students are higher than HKIEd. Mode of learning and study is also very different from Hong Kong. While professors in Hong Kong will assist students in their assignments by introducing them in class, professors in Australia generally expect students to take the initiative and enquire about the assignments. There are also weekly assignments for 3 out of 4 units I take here. Some people say this increases their work load, I personally treat it as a very good way to learn and reflect on weekly materials. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Rebecca is a very nice coordinator and I love the trips which she arranged for exchange students. Other activities and events organized by the Exchange Office are very informative and helpful, specifically in helping exchange students putting things straight, e.g. course enrolment and other logistics related to studies and the exchange period as a whole. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The environment is very nice. However, the 6 month contract may not be beneficial to exchange students, because most of us will only stay for 4 to 5 months, and not a lot of us will stay in Australia for the complete 6 month contract. Only Weeden Lodge offers a short stay contract, but it is located very far away from campus, and I personally prefer living near the main campus, which makes life a lot easier. It will be a very good idea that other accommodation also provides a contract for short stay, say for example, a 4 month contract, as this will save a lot of our money. |
| * Food: |
Restaurants on campus are very nice, as they provide a variety of cuisines and food choices. As a Chinese, I prefer eating rice, and the Sizzle Café provides just that, which satisfies my needs. On the other hand, Café Mizzuna offers very good food and the waiters there are very nice and helpful. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I am not very athletic, and I do not drink, nor do I go to pubs often. Therefore, I found it quite difficult to adapt to the local culture and mingle with other exchange and local students at the very beginning. But I am very glad that UC and the Exchange Office organizes activities which are suitable for different people, and I am able to make friends who have share similar interests and common topics. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The doctors and reception are very nice and helpful. |
| * Safety: |
Generally speaking, Canberra is quite safe, because it is the capital city. Population is not huge, so crime rates are not high. But that does not mean girls, especially, can go out alone at night. |
| 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) |
The living costs here in Canberra are quite high compared to Hong Kong, especially when food and necessities are taxed. But it is alright if I cook more often. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Better to cook by yourself, instead of eating out (including on campus) every day. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | A level 3 English course in HKIEd |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I personally speak English to myself when I am showering. |
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? | I wish I knew that we had to purchase an internet plan separately from the residential fee before I came |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
