Tilak (Sem 2, 2022)

My Exchange at The University of Sydney

I found out about the 360 international exchange programme through a few google searches, after I made the realisation that I really want to travel abroad but want to continue my degree while doing so. My chosen university was University of Sydney. I’d been to Sydney before a couple of times, so was fairly familiar with the area. I love the vibe of it, and it seems like a bigger Auckland, with more things to do. I was very excited, coming in to land at Sydney Airport, and couldn’t wait for the next five months in a different city.

I stayed at Queen Mary Building, which had over 800 students, and used to be an old hospital building. The building was recently refurbished and had very nice facilities, including a basement kitchen that resembled those in Masterchef. Unfortunately, I caught Covid on my first few days there so wasn’t able to enjoy O-week properly. However, I did get to see the clubs expo, which was mind-blowing. There were so many clubs and societies to join, with a wide variety of options.

I found the courses/teaching to be splendid, with teachers genuinely being interested in what they were teaching, and their students. The enthusiasm was contagious, and it was reflected in how the students engaged with the content. I found the night life to be quite lacking, but it didn’t really bother me as I prefer to go out during the day anyway.

The food options and coffee options were endless, and the cost of these things seemed to be pretty comparable to Auckland. If I ever forgot to pack a lunch, I’d find myself buying lunch on campus at one of the many retail options, and the food never disappointed. It seemed as if there was an emphasis on healthy food, which was very well welcomed.

The highlights of my exchange were definitely being able to experience a different university. Usyd has such a nice campus that is blocked off from the rest of the surrounding area, which makes you feel safe and at home when at university. I never felt unsafe walking to and from my accommodation. I’d advice any prospective students to definitely make the move. If you’re worried about culture shock, the cultures between Auckland and Sydney are fairly similar, but Sydney just seems like a much bigger place with more opportunities and things to do.

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

The main highlight of the academic experience was having lecturers that genuinely showed interest in what they were teaching. You could tell they enjoyed being at work, and their enthusiasm made me engage more, and actually interact with the content on a new level.

The tutorials in maths were also a nice experience, as everyone was very friendly and welcoming.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

I would definitely recommend hiking the Blue Mountains in Sydney. They’re not too far away and you can even take public transport to get to them.

Other than this, Bondi Beach is world renowned, and is great on a sunny day. If you want something a bit more quiet, you can walk along the coastline and find quieter beaches

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

I would recommend buying the USU membership, as there’s so many perks such as free food and discounted food at cafes

I would also suggest getting amongst activities planned by the accommodation, as they’re a great way to make new friends

I’d suggest shopping at Aldi, as the groceries are almost always cheaper there

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

I budgeted $5000 in addition to accommodation, flights etc. I didn’t find this to be enough and had to transfer over more funds. It’s very easy to spend up big as you’re in a new city. Perhaps planning when you’re going to eat out would help you stay in your budget more effectively. Also packing a lunch would be helpful, as lunch can get expensive on campus.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

There’s so much more to the world than just New Zealand. While we’re in a great country, being able to go out and explore what other countries have on offer, opens your eyes so much and makes you feel like the sky is the limit. It’s also very liberating to be in a country where you know no one and you have to kind of build from the ground up. It forces you to go out there and put yourself out there to make new friends, and meet new people.