Australia: The Return of the Enchanted Boomerang Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload seemed light during the first several weeks of the semester, which I later learned was because it was for research. The workload shifted to overload when the first several research essays came due and I was scrambling to get it organized. Shifting into the second half of the semester, it felt very manageable despite the sweat. In comparison with American universities, it's just a different way of facilitating information. Being able to pool together your thoughts and observations in a research paper is its own challenge but I'm a lot more satisfied that I'm proving my understanding of the material than bubbling in a multiple choice test. One component of the UWA classroom that was brilliant, and should be used everywhere, is Lectopia -- podcasts of all your lectures so that you can review, or if you had to miss a class.

On-site administration of your program

The UWA International Office was immediately in contact with me when I arrived in Perth. They gave me an information pack with everything I would want to know about the area, a map, travel booklets with things to check out, itinerary for the upcoming orientation week, and just fun facts. Whenever I had any problems, they were available to talk with and helped give me directions whenever I needed them. They were always helpful and courteous.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I originally lived on one of the five residential colleges, which was not even a 5-minute walk from campus. I was living with about 150 other students from all over the world, and it was easy to make friends. I never had a problem getting anywhere, day or night, and I felt safe. However, the food they served at the dorm did not sit well with me and I eventually decided to move into an apartment in another suburb. The location was also fantastic, though I was a couple miles from campus, and I enjoyed that as well. The cost, it's important to note, is tremendous though... when I was living in the dorm or in an apartment, I had to pay a lot in rent and food.

I really enjoyed the food that I had when I ate out, but it is expensive. Most of the time I'd just make myself something and then it's pretty run-of-the-mill. When I lived in the dorm, however, I really didn't like the food... the logistics of feeding a couple hundred people three meals a day means that you see a lot of returning dishes and it didn't suit me. If you like to cook, however, there are a many options with markets that you can find fresh food and then you cut down on the cost as well.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

These were arranged by myself and some friends, but the Fremantle Prison was a very interesting (and popular) tourist destination, as well as Rottnest Island. I had a great time going abseiling with the UWA Recreational program offered as part of their gym membership: About 15 students went out to a quarry far away from the city and learned how to abseil down the face of the rock. The view was tremendous too and it was a great reminder of how fun it is to get away from everything.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

A compulsory part of your admission into UWA goes into the Overseas Student Health Cover, which gives you coverage on everything but dental. I never had any problems and none of my friends ever had to make a claim on it so I can't comment one way or the other.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment
• Dorm

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• Americans
• International Students
• Local Students

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