My semester abroad at ACU Sydney

First of all, I have to highlight the great application procedure. At that time my contact person was Alexis who was always friendly and helped me out with so many questions. After I got accepted I was also offered a two-week July school programme inclusive free accommodation. This was a great opportunity for me to take a whole class before the official semester started. This means I was able to drop one of my classes during the semester which I really appreciated as I had more free time to enjoy so many things Sydney has to offer. Moreover, I really enjoyed the July-school as there was enough time to get to see the city and to adapt to the life in Australia.

The official semester start was great with a cool and interactive introduction week. This is a good opportunity to get to know many fellow exchange students you most probably will spend the time with. The ACU in Sydney has two campuses, one in Strathfield and one in North Sydney. I stayed at the Miguel Cordero Residence which is located in Camperdown pretty much in between the two campuses. The travel time to each campus took me approximately 45 minutes which is okay for a city of that size. As mentioned before, I could drop one of my classes because of the July school which means I only had to take three more classes which I could easily fit into one or two days per week.

Next to my studies, I also worked in a volunteer position at ACU collaborate plus. I supported Kyle consulting individuals with disabilities who want to start up their own businesses. This was a great experience and made my stay in Australia even more special.

But besides the studies and the work, Sydney has so much more to offer. There are many beautiful beaches and national parks that are absolutely worth the exploration. Participating in a surf class is a must! For me there was still enough time to go surfing a few times and I really enjoyed it. The nightlife in Sydney is great and you can basically go out every day. The city is crowded with young people which is an absolute plus.

My experience at ACU Sydney was amazing and I would definitely recommend doing a semester abroad here! I am more than happy that I had the opportunity to study here and get to know the Australian culture and the beautiful countryside.