Rachel McNicoll
Host University: University of Western Australia
Year of Study Abroad: 2010-11
Where did you live? Would you recommend it?
I stayed in one of the residential colleges, Trinity which I would definitely recommend. It is one of the largest colleges with about 400 people staying in it. There are lots of international as well as Australian students so you get the chance to meet and make friends with people from all over the world. The college puts on events, formal dinners and balls throughout the year.
Which department(s) did you study in?
Chemistry
How does the workload/classes/teaching styles vary to Sheffield?
I found the workload more intense at UWA. There are 4 units per semester. Each unit consists of 50 assessment during the semester (tests, assignments, labs, lab reports) and then a 50 exam at the end. I had a 9-5 timetable most days and spent a lot of time in the lab which meant I made friends with people on my course very quickly. The classes were much smaller - about 50 people which meant it was really easy getting to know everyone. You do not have a personal tutor but all the lecturers are so friendly and are around to help if you have any problems. As the chemistry department is small at UWA I found it difficult to find 4 chemistry units running in the second semester so they created a really interesting research project for me.
What did you do for fun at the weekends and during the holidays?
During the weekends we spent time exploring the city, beaches and visiting different places around Perth. Fremantle is a harbour town only a short bus ride away, with a brilliant market and lots of bars and cafes. We made day trips to Rottnest Island, Penguin Island and the Swan Valley wine region. We visited Margret River during the mid-semester break which has some stunning beaches and lovely little cafes to eat in. During the long summer break, we travelled up the west coast to Exmouth and went over to the East coast, spending time in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. We also flew to Alice Springs and did a tour of Ayers Rock and the centre.
Did you join any societies or clubs?
The UWA campus is next to the Swan River and I completed a kayaking course and a sailing course. These courses were a lot of fun, fairly inexpensive and a great way to meet new people.
Describe the University/City/things to do
The University campus is beautiful. It is right next to the Swan River with plenty of green space and magnificent palm trees. The university has a Student Guild like the Students´ Union at Sheffield, it has a tavern, book shop, hairdressers, pharmacy and a few places to eat food and buy snacks. The university is really close to Kings Park, 10 minutes away by bus from the city and 15 minutes away from Cottesloe beach. Perth is a very laid back city but there is still enough going on to keep you busy.
Could you give any travel or immigration tips?
I found the cheapest flights through STA travel. They also have a branch on the UWA campus. Once I had my acceptance letter from UWA I applied for my visa online and it came through very quickly.
Could you give any advice or tips to a student preparing to go or tell them anything you wished you knew in advance?
It can get quite cold! I would recommend packing some jumpers and a jacket. There is an Ikea and a Kmart in an out-of-town shopping area. These places are cheaper to buy things for your room - shops in the city centre can be quite expensive. The surrounding suburbs, Leederville and Subiaco have some good places to eat including San Churros, Jus Burgers and Little Caesars Pizzeria.
Would you say it is cheaper or more expensive to live than Sheffield?
With the current exchange rate it is definitely more expensive to live than Sheffield. The accommodation is very expensive however it is worth it as you are able to meet people, settle in very quickly and you are in a perfect location, close to uni, the city and the beach.
Any other information or comments
I enjoyed my year in Perth. It really is a great place and I would recommend it to anyone!