Study Abroad in Australia: University of Canberra

The program is amazing. I felt like I had a lot of support coming into a place where I was unfamiliar with everything. The only complaint I would have is that living on rez is hard to get used to with how dirty it is. My apartment is so disgusting that we have rats.

Going to Canberra has been pretty fun. My complaints would be that dining places on campus close way too early, and that smoking is allowed on campus, so there's cigarette remains everywhere and the constant smoking smell.

The greatest experience I have ever had with this campus would be the social science of it all. The students are so kind and open to everyone. The campus atmosphere is great. Also the teacher are really open to everyone and everything. I feel safe and welcome here on this campus. The academics are great, a very good challenge compared to my home university. This is a great university and students should be proud to go here.

The best part of the experience so far is meeting all the new people and getting to do trips and activities. I think it's great that the UC exchange program staff have been so involved with putting on activities to help the international students feel more comfortable and make friends.

Everything has been pretty great. Staff is so helpful and every other exchange student is just as within as you are to explore, do random things and ultimately spend time together. You make quick, awesome friends and the program is great.

If you're looking for an academic challenge, UC probably is not the place you want to study abroad. But coming from semester after semester of incredibly difficult and strenuous work at university in the USA, UC is a welcomed pause. It's not that the classes don't offer quality information and discussion or that the university has a bad staff -- it's that the workload is significantly less than a 3rd/4th year in an undergrad degree at a vigorous university. Like I said, a welcomed pause.

UC is further from the city center (Civic) than the city's other big uni, ANU, but bus transport is rapid and reliable during normal hours. Wish the bus ran later, as it stops at midnight. That can put a damper on night life in the city, but no worries -- there are so many opportunities to party that it doesn't really matter. There's a big student population in Canberra, so there are a lot of organizations and events based around that. You'll have lots of fun if you take advantage of everything that's out there.

The living situation on campus has its positives and negatives -- some houses are a complete dump, and the standards of upkeep seem to be lower than dorms in the states, but it can often depend on the people you are randomly paired with. I live in Globo (aka the "new apartments") and the structure of the apartment is really nice, my roommates are just a bit messy. But I've suspended my need for obsessive cleanliness and just gone with it. Otherwise, the residences organize a lot of events and opportunities to get you involved, and just living on campus makes it easy to meet Australians. Definitely more of a positive than a negative.

The study abroad program and staff at UC is really great -- organized, helpful, and definitely interested in making sure everybody has a good time.

Overall, I've met some really great people, had a lot of fun, and while it's not the most ideal university or the most exciting city, I'm enjoying myself a lot.

Well i've only been here for 4 weeks now, so i can't really say too much about the academic challenge.. Yet i do appreciate the Moodle platform and the recordings of the lectures!

About the housing, i must admit i wasn't too happy when i came here and saw it for the first time (old res). Online the pictures look really nice and it says newly renovated.. i don't know about this.. it is quite dirty in the common areas and the bathrooms, which are the most important ones.. The rooms itself could look a little more welcoming, with some paint on the wall, new chairs and so on..

But on the other hand, i do like living on campus a lot, only having to walk for 5 min to go to class is amazing compared to the 1hour i have to travel back home.

The study abroad staff is super friendly and helpful! I loved the weekend trip to Sydney and all the little gatherings that were organised. They are all appreciated!

What i don't really like is that you have to pay so much for Internet.. Especially exchange students that are thousands of kms away from their families and friends need a lot of it so skype and keep in contact.. and its not really an option to skype in the library..

Overall I'm happy though =)

When I first went into the Cooinda Hut to receive my dorm key I saw a sign that said University of Canberra was leading the way in Housing standards. My first thought was that it would be a nice place.

When I got to my room. The whole place was a mess. The kitchen wasn't up to par. Things seemed to look like they were falling apart. In my room I saw similar attributes. My phone looked like poop was smeared on it. When i would try to receive or make calls it didn't work. When told it would be replaced, 4 weeks later and still nothing has happened.

Now that I cleaned the place up, it feels a lot better. The accommodations look like they could be a great place to stay, there just isn't any up-keep with them so they are falling apart. I understand that a part of this is the students before me's fault. But there was a break between semesters when I arrived. There should have been some house cleaning done.

Other than the accommodations, I have been pleased with everything else. Great location and fun things to do.