Tom Sharp

Host University: Australian National University
Year of Study Abroad: 2010-11

Where did you live? Would you recommend it?

Burton & Garran Halls, on campus at ANU. It's the main residence for exchange students, but is still home to heaps of domestic students. Incredibly close to university, and a lot of fun too.

Which department(s) did you study in?

Mathematical Science

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

I was taken aback by how small the lectures were, with class sizes being as small as 5 or 6 people compared to lectures of over 100 in Sheffield. There was also less contact time with both lecturers and tutors, with a far greater emphasis on self-learning. I found the teaching style to be very different, with less worked examples and problem-solving methods taught in favour of technical theory.

What did you do for fun at the weekends and during the holidays?

Canberra has a few spots to visit that make a fun day out - the National Museum of Australia is a great place to start to learn a bit more about the country, while just a little further out you can go for a walk around parliament. When the sun comes out, it's nice to go and sit by the Carillion with a few friends and relax in the Sun. On weekends, it's only a few hours to Sydney via bus, which is a much busier city with no end of things to do.

Did you join any societies or clubs?

No, ANU had surprisingly few societies and clubs compared to Sheffield.

Describe the University/City/things to do

Canberra is generally a very calm, quiet city, with the population dominated by public servants and students. This is reflected in the fact that it doesn't have the same hustle and bustle of most capital cities. The university itself is a campus university, which makes it somewhat isolated from the city compared to sprawling Sheffield. However, this has formed a strong sense of community between students, helped by the good weather to hang out in!

Could you give any travel or immigration tips?

When you go travelling, always check the reviews of any hostels you plan on staying in - don't just go for the cheapest! That extra 5 dollars a night is definitely worth it. Coaches are generally the cheapest way to get around, but always check the air fares. The longer the journey, the more likely it is that flying is cheaper (and much, much quicker!)

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

Canberra does get surprisingly cold when you go out (almost to freezing point), so remember you will need a coat. Really though, the best thing to remember is just to have fun!

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

As a country largely unaffected by the recession, and a city with the highest average wage in the country, it is much, much more expensive.