Kelly Carscadden

“I chose to study at UQ because Australia’s many endemic animals and unique ecosystems fascinated me, as a science student and nature-lover. I wanted to study reef ecology and dive on the Great Barrier Reef to learn as much as possible about Australia’s marine environment. The University of Queensland offered many interesting biology courses that would complement my degree at my home institution and allow me to travel and gain hands-on experience through field components. The Australian climate and culture were also selling points, and Brisbane is a short drive from many tourist destinations.

“The UQ campus is beautiful, with lots of green space and colourful sandstone buildings. It employs many talented staff, and the IT facilities are modern and well set up. There are always interesting events on campus, from Market Day for clubs to Carnivale by UQ Sport. The sports fields and facilities are extensive and well maintained.

“Courses offering field components are what initially attracted me to UQ. I enrolled in BIOL2001 (Australia’s Terrestrial Environment) and MARS2005 (Australia’s Marine Environment) because they would help me learn about the animals and ecosystems in Australia and because the field trips involved work in locations I might otherwise not be able to see. The field components of these courses were all well organized and designed to emphasize concepts discussed in lecture.

“Visiting Fraser Island with BIOL2001 helped me appreciate the vast differences between vegetation types on the sand island, and touring the Australia Zoo through the course let me go behind the scenes and see the creatures I’d been learning about all semester! The Heron Island trip through MARS2005 was the highlight of my academic experience at UQ. The class designed, executed, and wrote up research projects from our time there, and I gained a new appreciation for the diversity and abundance of interesting marine organisms. Swimming with sharks there was an amazing experience and surely one I will never forget!

“I found the IT staff to be very helpful and friendly. I very much enjoyed the Come ’n’ ’Try week and Carnivale event run by UQ sport since they let me sample a variety of the classes offered.

“I have made many close friends through my classes at UQ. I became a member of the UQ Beach Volleyball Club, a fun social sporting organization that helped me meet heaps of friendly people and play a sport I love!

“I feel very at home in Brisbane. Most people have been extremely kind and welcoming, making the initial transition easy. The weather is great, so in the morning the only tough decision is whether to wear shorts or…shorts.

“I would say to other students considering studying abroad that The University of Queensland is a fantastic place to study. It has a myriad of interesting courses, student services, and skilled researchers on campus. In Australia there are so many great places to visit, from Uluru to the Whitsundays, that it is tough to fit it all in! If you’re looking for a life changing cultural, academic, and travel experience, this is it. What are you waiting for?”