“The university is the perfect starting point to end the day on the beach after studying.”
Decide as early as possible!
Immediately after the information event at the FHDW regarding stays abroad and semesters abroad, it was clear to me that I would like to take advantage of the opportunity to spend a semester abroad. No sooner said than done – and the planning began. The International Office, especially Ms. Schwabe, was always at my side.
It takes a lot of time to plan everything properly and therefore, in my opinion, you should make the decision to spend a semester abroad as early as possible. If you go to Southern Cross University between October and February (i.e. in the third semester) Southern Cross University it is also necessary to swap practical phases. Fortunately, my partner company supported me and made it possible for me to swap practical phases.
Southern Cross University - a modern university
I chose the Gold Coast campus in the east of the country. The university is very modern and there are countless support services for students on site. An orientation week is held at the beginning of the semester abroad, during which international students learn everything they need to know about living and studying in Australia. The university is not too big and there are many places where students can study, some even with a direct view of the sea – see my photo. And if you’re lucky, you might even see a whale or two in the first few weeks of the semester!
Although you only take three or four courses at Southern Cross University (SCU), this should not be underestimated. The lectures are mostly online and you see the lecturers less often than here in Germany. I opted for the option with three courses. One of the courses was an online course. I usually had it once a week and could watch it via the university intranet.
Courses that take place on site are followed by a two-hour tutorial in which what has been learned is practiced and consolidated. For online courses, however, the tutorial is omitted (or takes place online, which was not the case for me).
Self-discipline is required
Due to the limited contact with the lecturers, you have to be very independent and motivated to learn, which I found very interesting and productive. Throughout the semester, there are always assignments or tests and most courses have an exam at the end of the semester. The International Office on site and the lecturers were always very helpful and open.
To the accommodation
As far as accommodation is concerned, I would recommend not signing or booking anything until after a tour. In other words, it makes sense to stay in an Airbnb or hostel for the first few days and then look for accommodation on site. I found great accommodation via Unistays, a website offered by SCU. You can expect to pay between $175 and $250 per week for accommodation. Public transport is very frequent in the region and can take you to all the places in the area.
The university itself is about a 10-minute walk from Gold Coast Airport and the same distance from the beach. This makes it the perfect starting point to end the day at the beach after studying or to travel for a few days off. The International Office also offers a number of day trips (some free, some for a small fee) for international students, which are also highly recommended.
Conclusion
I can recommend anyone to spend a semester abroad at SCU on the Gold Coast. I learned many things and gained experiences and impressions that I will never forget.
