Hannah Tooley

University: University of Sydney
Year of Study Abroad: 2010-11

Where did you live? Would you recommend it?

Newtown and Camperdown. Good student housing can also be found in, Chippendale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Enmore, Stanmore and some (but costly) housing in the CBD. The best way to make friends includes the College system which you have to apply for separate to the University Accommodation services, St. Johns and Wesley are two really good colleges for socials. There is also St Andrews, St Pauls (boys), Womens (girls) and St. Sophia (girls). All colleges are 450-600 per week and require two letters of recommendation and interview to get into to - apply early! They are all fully catered and friendly but also very pricey.

Which department(s) did you study in?

Arts and Languages - Sydney isn't split into faculty very clearly there is only Medicine, Science, Arts, Law and Language departments. Every subject will be headed in one of those departments.

How does the workload/classes/teaching styles vary to Sheffield?

Sydney is very relaxed in terms of hours but expects a lot of independent work and essays tend to come at particular times of the year. Exams are so laid back as well as seminars (people came with no shoes and having done no work). Depending on teacher of course, but the work load was manageable as well as a job and social life. Penalties are rarely enforced, however the library isn't open many hours and they are very strict with book returns.

What did you do for fun/ at weekends / holidays?

Trips away, meals out, Victoria Park, Bondi, Coogee, Manly, Taroonga, Rose and Watson Bay, the Blue Mountains - lots of trips! Also so much to do in the city itself, lots of parks, restaurants and malls (see Newtown for best cheap food at night and Glebe for breakfast. Most food places are BYO alcohol), lots of festivals going on during the year ie: Mardi Grais in March, music festival, food festival (sept.) and lots of uni events too. Sports were on frequently such as ALF and the colleges also had lots of socials to attend.

Did you join any societies or clubs?

I was with the other study abroad kids helping out prospective students and sorting their applications etc. As far as clubs in Sydney everything has to be paid for and it's pretty expensive. There is a discount card called the ACCESS card which is pretty good and is 70 dollars per semester but gets discount in the campus book store, cafes and other places around uni including the gym. The Uni gym is really expensive to join but Victoria Park gym (next to camperdown campus) is 80 dollars for 10 gym sessions or 50 dollars for 10 pool swims.

Describe the University/City/things to do

The city is awesome, the Harbour - check out Opera Bar, University doesns't really have a student union as we have it's more of a political body so it's important to see what the city has to offer. Hugos and World Bar are always popular and Hugos has 5 pizza, drinks and entry on a Sunday night (it opens at 8pm) it's a great night out. The city is stunning, the Botanical Gardens, China Town, the Bridge (do the climb if you can - well worth it!), The Chinese Gardens etc are all lovely. Weather is always fairly warm too which is a bonus. The main street is George Street in the city and all roads run to and from it, find George St and you cannot get lost. Food wise - Coles in Broadway (a mall next to the park) and Paddy's Market (local grown) open Wed-Sun until 5pm are the best for fresh and cheap food.

Could you give any travel or immigration tips?

Take every opportunity you have, mid semester break, easter, christmas, go everything and experience everything! Wherever you go it will be amazing, I worked for one semester and managed to travel for 3 months over the christmas/summer holidays, it was amazing.

Could you give any advice or tips to a student preparing to go or tell them anything you wished you knew in advance?

It will be hard at first knowing noone, but it will get better. Also - Australia does not have one or two cent coins, you're not being short changed, they just don't have them. You must pre-buy bus tickets to ride on the bus, get them from kiosks or connivence stores, zone 1 is CBD up until Enmore. Make sure you get the student concession sticker when you go and get your student card if not you get no transport discounts. Duvet is dooner when you're trying to get house hold stuff. Phones are top up and vodafone is pretty good, 29 dollars for 150 worth, 59 dollars for 300 worth of minutes and texts. Shots and doubles are only allowed in certain bars. Get an RSA (registered service of alcohol) in order to get a job in a bar or restaurant, they are no more than 50-60 dollars.

Would you say it is cheaper or more expensive to live than Sheffield?

More expensive by far, but it's the CBD. Plus you tend to do things a student wouldn't do in Sheffield - ie: a million holidays and travels off to places.

Be outgoing as this is the best way to meet new people and the English accent will help with this too. Also, if you ever need help with anything, don't be afraid to ask.