Semester at UC

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.