Rebecca Gray

University Degree Title: Chemistry with a Year Abroad in Australia
Host University: The University of Wollongong
Year of Study Abroad: Third

Where did you live? Would you recommend it?

International House.
Admittedly it is very expensive accommodation in comparison to English halls, and there are cheaper options available in Wollongong, but I definitely think in terms of experience that a study abroad student should live at International House. There is an amazing community atmosphere; you get to know the majority of students that live there. Collectively there are residents from 35 different nations and so you get to meet all kinds of different people and learn about other countries/cultures. Events are organised on a regular basis throughout the week and I would thoroughly recommend getting involved in everything that I-House has to offer. Also I think it has an idealic location; it is halfway between the beach and the university (15 minute walk to each) and it is just down the road from North Wollongong train station and a bus stop.

Which department(s) did you study in?

Chemistry department.
I very much enjoyed working within this department as the lecturers are generally friendly, helpful and willing to answer any queries you may have. I found their laboratories to be more `old-school´ in comparison to the Sheffield laboratories!

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

The classes are much smaller in comparison to Sheffield lectures, averaging about 30 people per class. You´ll probably find the workload to be a bit lighter, but the material is still quite challenging. Therefore if you don´t keep on top of things, you´ll find yourself in a mess! I also found there to be less contact time. I would have one/two days off a week, which would not happen in Sheffield. Generally you´ll find everything to be more laid-back and relaxed out here, which I suppose has both its pros and cons! You are taught material similarly to how we are taught in Sheffield: with powerpoint presentations and lecture notes. However lecture notes are not provided to you by the lecturers; you have to print them off the e-learning website before you go to lectures. I had to spend a fair bit of money on printing throughout the year. You may also be required to purchase a course booklet of some kind from the university shop before you begin your courses.

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

Wollongong´s one big advantage: the beach!
A lot of free time would be spent at the beach; the one thing I made sure to take advantage of! The nearest beach was North Wollongong Beach, but there are also a couple of others: Fairy Meadow Beach and City Beach. It´s also nice to take a trip a bit further down the coast and visit some of the beaches down there (Kiama, Shellharbour, Jervis Bay, Ulladulla). As I mentioned before, I-House (and the other halls) arrange lots of activites to get involved in, especially during orientation week or `O-week´, (Mt. Keira hikes, Blue Mountains trips, Nan Tien temple visits, rock climbing, gala nights, trivia nights, plenty of barbeques, sporting events, water park visits, formals, harbour cruises in Sydney, Targonga zoo trips, indigenous walks,…etc.) so make sure to get involved in everything. Of course Sydney is only an hour and a half away up north, and so I made quite a few visits! With a student card it is a $9 return trip. You also have the opportunity to skydive on the beach in Wollongong. This will set you back about $280, but it is a once in a lifetime experience that I would thoroughly recommend. I believe you can also go hang-gliding for slightly cheaper. During the big Summer holiday break (mid November – February), I had to move out of I-House accommodation. After this my friends and I spent the whole time travelling. It was absolutely amazing and I would 100% recommend it. We travelled the whole of the east coast, Melbourne and up the middle from Alice Springs to Darwin. During the mid-term breaks in each semester (you get one week off) I went scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns and went and stayed with friends. During my second semester I was also able to get a job at a seaside restaurant, Dunes, and so I waitressed a couple of times a week. I would thoroughly recommend this as the pay is much better in Australia! Be careful here though; make sure to comply with your student visa. It states that you can work no more than 20 hours per week.

Did you join any societies or clubs?

I did not, but there are loads of clubs to get involved in (even a medieval society!) and I believe it is very easy to do so.

Describe the University/City/things to do

You´ll find that there is plenty of nightlife in Wollongong. There are several nightclubs and bars, and the local (North Wollongong Hotel) is located just across the road from I-House. I would recommend the beautiful Five Island Brewery, located on City Beach. There is also a shopping mall in town. They have market days here from time to time. You´ll also find plenty of restaurants/coffee shops. You can hike Mt. Keira and I would strongly recommend that – amazing views! It´s also really nice to go for a stroll along the sea front and by the lighthouse. Down here there is also a natural rock pool and an outdoor swimming pool that you can use. The uni also has one; it is $2.50 for a swim. Of course they have a gym as well. I was lucky enough to buy a surfboard for the year (I gave the board back to the shop at the end of the year and received half the money back that I paid for it). And so I tried to learn to surf! If you only want to do it as a one-off, you can easily book surf lessons (~ $30 for an hour). There are always gigs going on – try looking at the Uni Bar or the Oxford Tavern. The Uni Bar organises all kinds of events (trivia nights, poker nights, battle of the bands… etc.) Wollongong is also home to its own footy stadium (Win stadium) and so you are able to go watch the local team play (the Illawarra Dragons). Make sure to try an ice cream from Cold Rock ice-creamery! You can tour the Port-Kembla steelworks if you´re interested. Also make sure to have a day out at the Kembla Grange races. I´d recommend a visit to the Botanic Gardens, (just opposite the university) they are beautiful. There are also tennis courts/a running track near Weerona college.

Could you give any travel or immigration tips?

Make sure to get your visa application in early. It takes about 3 weeks to be processed. Book flights early! We were able to get relatively cheap ones through STA travel by booking early. On the way back however, I left it too late and so my flight was really expensive. Contact your local education authority asking if they can give you financial assistance: some will and some won´t. My LEA paid for my flights out to Australia.
Save, save, save! You have no idea how much money you are about to spend! Wollongong Uni offers a free pick up service from Sydney airport, so be sure to make use of that. I arrived in Australia one week before O-week. If you think you will be susceptible to the effects of jet-lag, I would recommend doing this. However I don´t think I am too affected by jet lag and hence I think it would have been better to arrive just before O-week. The week leading up to O-week, I found my halls to be very empty and there was not that much to do in this time.

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

I don´t think I ran into many problems out there.
All I would say is get involved in everything, talk to everyone and make the most out of your experience!

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

Everything in Australia is generally more expensive than in the UK, so be sure to take that into account.

Any other information or comments

Enjoy your study abroad experience!