UQ Program: Bachelors of Engineering
I know every single testimonial says this, but exchange really is a life changing experience – and if you have never been overseas before – it will be even more so for you. Britain isn’t so much different from Australia – but it’s enough to be exciting (at least until you settle in). I’m not sure I can recommend it – but if you know a language – going to that country could be more rewarding.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES:
Picking courses in the first place can be tricky, finding the right substitute for the correct one and so on – make sure to get that all done well before you leave so you don’t feel stressed as the time is approaching for you to start packing.
Course content and teaching style was similar but less tutes/pracs and more straight lectures.
Also exams are usually 80-100% (for Engineering at least) so be on guard. When we arrived - to get all our stuff organized we had to walk around the campus a fair bit but it wasn’t that bad.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES:
There was a lot of French in my Erasmus group – so my French improved largely.
Awesome friendships – I will seriously remember these people for the rest of my life – we are even planning to organize a 1 year meet-up. Brits are great – and they love a good Aussie accent. (Don’t be surprised if they confuse you for New Zealand though).
EXPENSES:
Well we spent roughly 350 pounds per month. So that is at least 2100 pounds – which is about $3500. This is without travelling (planes, hostels etc) and without food and drinks. Probably budget for at least $8000 I’d say – depending on how much you want to travel.
WHAT I GOT OUT OF IT:
Personally I got a fair bit out of this – in terms of living alone and living in another country with different customs and names for things! You have to be a tourist for once – now you are that person who doesn’t speak right and doesn’t know where things are.
5 TOP TIPS
-The Soak pub in Selly Oak has the best burgers. You must try the ‘Daddy Burger’. It’s also a really cool place to hang out.
-I wished I travelled more during the semester – more weekend trips around England especially. Trying to cram it in near the end made everything seem a bit rushed.
-For cheap flights to Europe use Ryan Air, Flybe and Easyjet. Always look for Ryan air specials – they are randomly cheap sometimes (less than 20 pounds to Paris) but you have to jump in early – they go like hotcakes.
-If you are starting off in the winter – bring at least 1 or 2 really warm jackets – chances are you will be wearing both if you don’t like cold. If you are going in there summer – you can then buy the jackets after you get there – they sell much better ones there than Australia.
-Don’t live on Campus accommodation unless you really want the college experience – it’s too expensive.