UQ Program: Bachelors of Arts/Journalism
An exchange semester is one of the most invaluable experiences offered to students by the University of Queensland.
I am in my final year of a dual Arts/Journalism undergraduate degree. I have just come to the end of an exchange semester with City University, London, where I studied courses in both journalism and international studies. City University offers a fantastic journalism programme and it was for this reason I chose the university. I wasn’t disappointed. The courses are incredibly hands-on, offering practical opportunities and experiences.
London itself is a fantastic place to be. It’s filled with history and culture promoted by free museums, galleries and events. Around every London corner waits something new, maybe a quirky restaurant or the latest in world trends.
And none of this amazing London life is as expensive as we are led to believe. In fact, if you get out of the habit of constantly converting costs, London can be surprisingly cheap.
For anyone interested in a future in journalism, London and in particular City University is a fantastically engaging place to be in a time of such contention and change within the industry.
If I can give any advice to students considering an exchange in London it would be;
-Start your application process early and be as organised as possible. The process can be time-consuming and stressful to navigate but the end result is rewarding. Don’t stress too much if, after months of trying to coordinate your courses, everything changes the moment you arrive at your host university. Remember it’s not always about the credit you get but the wonderful new place you’re in.
-It can be hard to find accommodation. Don’t rely on the university halls of residence because their availability is limited. I lived in the trendy East End at Claredale House and even though I was about 20 minutes from uni by bus or tube I was surrounded by bric-a-brac shops, ridiculously cheap supermarkets, clubs and fantastic eateries.
-Get yourself a student Oyster Card as early as possible. It’s a quick and easy process and transport being the most expensive part of living in London it’ll save you a fortune!
-London tubes finish around midnight (depending on the line) but there are night buses which run at all hours. Your night doesn’t have to end at 11:30pm!
-And finally and perhaps most importantly, don’t say no! Each new adventure leads to new friends, new sights and new discoveries. I made friends I am sure will be lifelong and had the opportunity to see some amazing places by just going with the flow.