Simone Kelly

‘What was the best part of my program? As I study English, I was opened up to a wide range of authors from Australia, New Zealand and Africa that I hadn’t come across before. I studied 20th Century Australian literature last semester and found it to be very interesting and different from any literature I had studied in Ireland. Also I had access to new databases and library resources.

‘Studying in Australia has given me a broader understanding of literature, not only did coming here add an extra year on to my degree, it has made me become more independent and has given me a better idea of where I want to focus my study after I finish.

‘My friends and I joined the wakeboarding club and formed a mixed touch rugby team with UQ where we have a match once a week. I’ve met so many people from these two societies. I’ve gone on Wakeboarding trips and surfing trips including a weekend in Coolangatta and a Houseboat wakeboarding trip on the coast which was fantastic fun. ‘

The accommodation service at UQ was brilliant. Within three hours of going to the accommodation office on the first day, we met an estate agent and signed a lease for a house 3 minutes away from campus! Student Services were also very good for helping international students to settle in and to know that they were there for us all year.

‘What I enjoy most about my Australian life is my new friends and the weather – there’s always activities to do when the weather is nice! The people in Brisbane and in other parts of Australia that I’ve been to (Melbourne, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) – have all been so accommodating and friendly.