Program Reviews

I had the chance to spend one year, as an exchange student at University of Western Australia, and I had one of my best years in my life. Met a lot of people from different countries and discovered a lot of new cultures. Perth is a nice and calm city, with many wonderful beaches that you need to visit and the weather is lovely. University of Western Australia is in a really good location, next to the Matilda Bay, and close to the city.

Studying and living in Perth in 2013 was a amazing experience. In the beggining I was afraid about the things I would face living abroad. Language barriers and different culture bothered me at first but with the help of english teachers and staff of CELT made me feel part of the community.
Undoubtedly UWA is welcoming environment. The university solved rapidy any request I have had, as well as, provided a safe place, gave access to many didatical resources and infrastructure that made the student experience in Studying Abroad program very satisfacting.
Also, durying the units we visited various instituitions of research and conservation in Western Australia, it showed the concern of this university to the environmental matters that are worldwide discussed, but in a practical and sucessful way.
I can not say any bad thing about UWA, for sure if I could have another oportunity to study again there, I would not think twice.

I had an delightful experience studying abroad at UWA! I spent 1 year there, as a biology student. This opportunity not only opened many doors (today I'm lecturer at UFMT in Brazil), but also opened my mind and heart - to be in a different country can be tough, but all the support I received made it all a wonderful adventure. The city (Perth) mix a bit of a big city in terms of development, but without many negatives (no crowded streets or major safety problems). University structure and community creates a stimulating environment - to be a better version of myself was a pleasure, not a exhausting task. I can only be grateful for my opportunities!

It was the best experience I have ever had. It wasn't always easy, of course I have some difficulties, felt homesick, had to lear a lot by my self. But it all worth it at the end, now I can see how much I learned from that and I would do it all again. The country is simply amazing and so is the university. I truly miss Perth, the city is calm, safe and you have all the nature life and beaches to enjoy. If I have to give an advice to anyone I would say that live in a different country is an unique experience that everyone have to do.

I could spend hours talking about how Australia is amazing and Perth is the best city, but I'll tell you what really matter: UWA. The university is absolutely marvellous. Everyday when I walked to uni I felt like I was in a movie. The campus combines the best of modern facilities without compromising the historical architecture of their buildings.

They don't have presence lists in most classes, and I actually attended the lectures because I liked them and I really learned a lot! It seems silly, but that wasn't true for most of my classes in my home uni. The teachers really know what they are talking about and are really good at teaching. Sometimes it's common that teachers are just expert in their fields but don't know how to pass that knowledge along, but don't worry about this in UWA. They make lectures interesting. Also, almost every class I took had also a practical component weekly, which is how you actually learn!!

I majored in Biological Sciences, but at UWA I was able to expand my field, and was able to take lectures in different departments and figure out what I liked better, which helped me choose my Master's degree. Also I think having Studied abroad at UWA helped me open doors for my future. After I returned home and graduated, I was offered a scholarship in Canada. I am sure my year abroad helped me with that, because when I tell people (potential employers) that I did 1 year of my undergrad in Australia, they are usually impressed. My only regret is not taking my full undergrad there!

People in Australia are super friendly and nice, I made best friends 4 years ago and we still me until today around the world! Also, UWA has a "Perth International" program and they always organised different things around the city, it was always fun and a great way to meet fellow exchange students. They also have a lot of different clubs that you can easily join according to your interest. I was part of the outdoors club and we often went kayaking in the Swan River across UWA. Did I tell you they have dolphins in that river? There are DOLPHINS! Imagine you are in the bus going to uni, look at the window and you see dolphins!!! That will lighten up anyone's morning (more than coffee). I remember one day we went kayaking at sunrise and the dolphins swan alongside us. Then I went to class, sat on the grass to have lunch with my friends, grabbed some coffee at the library, studied... Such a happy day!

Just one more thing: don't be afraid to take your year abroad in Perth and not the east coast (Melbourne, Sidney, Brisbane). FYI west coast is better. I am just a little bit biased, but hear me out: Perth is the perfect mix of a big modern city (but not too big) has a river in the middle of the city and several beautiful beaches (just google Cottesloe and Scarborough), a lot of things going on in the night scene and you can travel a lot! It is indeed the most isolated metropolis in the southern hemisphere, but that just means that there aren't huge cities around, not that there isn't anything around. With just a few hours drive south, you could go to Rockingham, Rottnest Island, Margaret River.. and if you feel like a road trip you can go to Albany and Esperance (they just have kangaroos chilling in the beach) or go north and explore the beaches with the Ningaloo Reef (cooler than the great barrier, I swear) such as Shark bay and Exmouth, and you can also explore the beauty of Karijini National Park with its weirdly shaped red rocks and beautiful waterfalls. The only hazard in Australia is that you might end up loving it more than your own country!

Words are not enough to describe the experience I had at UWA. For the first time in my life I could understand the meaning of Global Citizen which goes way beyond what you can read on blogs and books. During the time I spent at UWA I had great lectures, I talked to people from all over the world, I've made lifetime friendships, I learned how to solve problems with people from different cultures, I overcame my fears, I challenged myself to go further, I had all the support I needed. Those experiences changed my world view and made me a better person. Now, four years later, I use my knowledge to help people to go beyond the safe zone and fight for a better tomorrow for everyone. The study abroad in Perth is definitely the experience you're looking for.

My period in Australia started in the language course. This was very relevant in the period of adaptation and helped students to have a solid foundation in the new language to overcome the challenges of academic life. With that, I was able to enjoy my period in the university completely.
 Australia and Brazil have many differences and similarities. The lectures were fundamental for presenting the Australian view of issues present in my country. The best way is to move the experience from one country to another, as these examples have enriched the discussions during the subjects I did at UWA and also after returning. In that way, I was able to contribute to the growth of other students, so that they also understood how certain problems are treated in Australia and vice versa.
Future participants should take advantage of every moment of the program, as I did. For this, it is essential to have an open mind to absorb all the details of a new culture, of another way of thinking. It is also important to note that these students will be responsible for exchanging experiences between their countries of origin and Australia. Consequently, the spirit of cooperation must be present in their attitudes during and after the program. And the city of Perth is just amazing!

UWA experience was one of the best experience I had in my life. Beside Perth being a perfect city to live with incredible beaches, great weather and a lot of outdoor activities, the University has a great infrastructure, great professors and opportunities. The library (online and presencial) provides the more recent data, articles, books and reviews, if you can't find something you can just ask the librarian.

UWA was a major part of my life-changing year. It was the greatest year of my life, when I could learn about new cultures and about myself. The units that I applied were great and the professors were amazing. I thank UWA every day for making me a better human being.
Beside that, Australia itself was an awesome country to live in. Perth was the city os my dreams and Fremantle the place I would love to call “home” in the future! And I could visit other countries during my experience, such as Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam.

It was the best experience in my life, and I would do again if I had another chance. It was my first exchange program, and I had all support that I needed from the UWA, so if you have any problem, ask for help, and I am sure they will do their best to help. Thinking about Perth city, it’s simply perfect. And its people, I have nothing to complain, Australian people are awesome and very welcoming.