Experience report
Name: Katinka Ariëns
E-mail: k.c.a.ariens@gmail.com
Exchange semester: 6th
Academic year: 3rd
Host university: University of New South Wales
Country: Australia
My exchange semester has been an incredible experience. Actually, the experience started months
before the departure date. After gaining enough credits and taking the TOEFL test, the real
preparations were starting. Lots of things had to be arranged such as health insurance,
accommodation and courses. UNSW offered a lot of help via an online application with a checklist
which we had to work through. Besides this application they sent several information sheets with
information about accommodation and general information about Sydney. On Facebook, a private
group for exchange students was made where more information was provided by someone called
Aussie Mate or questions could be asked.
UNSW made it compulsory for every exchange student to make an appointment with one of the
study abroad advisors. During this appointment, the advisor offered help in case housing or courses
which weren’t fully arranged yet.
During the last couple of weeks before the start of the semester, UNSW offered some services to
help the new international students. Despite the fact that the university was pretty close to the
airport, there was a possibility to sign up for the pickup service. This service was available multiple
times a day to provide easy transport to the university. Also, for students who arrived early,
excursions were organized such as a tour in the Rocks (old part of Sydney) and a harbour cruise.
The official start of the semester was opened with O-week. During this week, free barbecues, ice
cream, pancakes and souvenirs were provided. This whole week was about introducing the university
and its clubs to new students. There were many sport clubs but also clubs for a specific religion or
faculty. Don’t be surprised if you come along a stand for the Pokémon club, Quidditch club or the tea
society.
Besides fun activities, there were also helpful activities organised. Workshops were given to gain
study skills, planning skills etc. Each faculty had its own workshops, other activities and introduction
day.
UNSW offered different types of accommodation on campus. There were for example possibilities to
share an apartment or rent a room in a dorm. Some accommodations had shared bathrooms and for
the people who like the luxurious life there were all-in rooms which had food and cleaning provided.
Because most of the accommodations only offered a contract for a year, UNSW made a special
procedure for exchange students to be able to live on campus with a contract for one semester. Even
though it wasn’t my first choice, I accepted an offer from a dorm called Fig Tree. At first I thought this
wouldn’t be my type of accommodation, but after all I’m glad I took the offer. From what I’ve heard,
this was an accommodation with the most international people. This might have been because of the
fact that it had segregated floors and a prohibition of alcohol in the building. Because we were the
first residents, there weren’t any committees for activities yet. However, together we had the
possibility to set up these committees to organize sportive, cultural and social activities.
The Kensington Campus (the campus where my classes were given) was located close to the city.
Along the campus there were several bus stations which took you to the city in about 15/20 minutes.
Unfortunately, the student discount wasn’t available for exchange students so the full price had to be
paid. Sydney itself had more to offer than the famous Opera Building and the Harbour Bridge. There
were many places to practice sports such as gyms (even on campus) or possibilities to go surfing or
kayaking. Also, many festivals are being organized throughout the year. These festivals differ from
the Holi Festival to the Film Festival or Comic Con. Sydney is also alive during the night. Specific areas
of this city are known for its active nightlife. Clubs such as Scary Canary and the Soda Factory are
popular among students (with free days of entrance for women!). Along the harbour there are
several terraces where you can enjoy a cocktail or a nice meal. Just make sure you’ll bring enough
money and you’ll have a night full of fun.
The international office organized lots of activities to sign up for throughout the semester. These
activities included a surf trip, a trip to see dolphins or an opera or tickets for a rugby or AFL match. A
student organisation organized several parties or trivia-nights. Because I lived in a building with
mainly international students, I met more international students than local students. However,
during my classes I hung out with Australian people. I noticed that during my classes, the Australian
people were more focussed on their study and their own friends. However, in my accommodation
the Australian people were more open to hang out with everyone. I didn’t experience a culture shock
on exchange. This might be because Australia is, like the Netherlands, a well-developed country. The
most interesting cultural difference for me were the Aboriginals. Although you won’t see many
traditional aboriginals, a lot of information about their culture and history is provided in museums
and cultural centres.
Besides organised trips, many people choose to go to other places on their own. It was easy to travel
by plane so bigger distances weren’t a problem. Cities such as Cairns and Melbourne were popular to
go to. Because I already made plans for a backpacking trip after the semester I only went to Tasmania
during the semester and made more smaller trips in Sydney and surroundings.
Although going out can be more fun, studying had to be done too. During the semester, I followed
four courses: Criminal Trial, Environmental Law, Media Law: General Principles and Sport, Law and
International Diplomacy. I chose these courses because these types of courses aren’t offered during
the Bachelor at Tilburg University. Each of the courses had its own character. Where some courses
involved specific Australian law, some hardly did. To be honest, some courses weren’t my first
choice, but because lots of courses which seemed interesting to me weren’t available anymore I
chose them. However, I don’t have any regrets about this choice because each of them was
interesting in its own way. The first couple of classes I had troubles with following what they were
talking about because of the language and their accent. Also I had to get used to the way in which
classes were given and to their laws. Despite this, I am glad I took courses which helped me to
understand a different legal system. In particular the Criminal trial was an interesting course which
had as compulsory assignment to spend two days in court. Because of excitement I spent three days
in court because I got fascinated by the Jury Trial.
Overall I was happy with my courses. One of them was extremely difficult to me because of its
complexity and its many laws involved, but despite that I managed to pass. What I noticed is that this
university is more focused on writing and speaking skills. At Tilburg University, only some written
assignments are given each year. My courses in Australia had only written or oral assignments and no
question exams at the end of the semester.
Australia is an expensive country. Besides the grant from Tilburg University, I received the ‘normal’
grant from the government. However, because the living costs are higher than in the Netherlands,
this grant wasn’t enough to cover all the costs. I funded the rest of this exchange with my savings.
Living in Sydney will probably cost more than living in Tilburg. Since I only needed two textbooks, my
expenses for my study were less than in Tilburg (although books cost a lot more). My books were
about 200 dollars together, but on campus there is a bookstore to buy them second hand (and if
you’re lucky you can sell them again). The most expensive part of the exchange was the
accommodation on campus (about 9500 Australian Dollars). This included accommodation, cleaning,
three meals a day and lots of fun! Despite this, I would definitely recommend it to ensure yourself of
a comfortable accommodation. For the rest, it depends on what your interests are. If you choose to
go out every weekend, you can be sure of a high expense of drinking (since drinks aren’t cheap) and
lots of clubs ask an entrance fee. But many cheap or costless options are available and will give you
just as much fun.
For me, this exchange has been an incredible and unforgettable experience. The best and at the
same time the worst experience was the amount of international students in my building. Although it
was really interesting to experience the cultural differences, sometimes it could be difficult to agree
with something with someone who has different ideas than you have. The most important thing I’ve
learned from other people is to open yourself to other traditions and religions; it can be interesting
and change your view of another country. In general I wouldn’t do anything differently, it has been
one of the best experiences in my life.
For people who like a challenge and who are interested in a different legal system I would definitely
recommend to go on exchange. UNSW has been a great university to me where I’ve learned a lot and
had so much fun. For me, the preparation required a lot of time. Besides choosing courses, I had to
make sure my English was at the required level and I would pass the required test, search for
accommodation, transport, health insurance etc. And at last, I wanted to know what activities were
possible (sports, clubs etc). The only thing I can say about the preparation is to start in time to make
sure everything is arranged. For the rest, Australia is a laid-back country and the rest will follow. It is
definitely worth it!