Reviews of Monash University | Australia

Useful | 2

“I would highly recommend this course”

Tajana D

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Undergraduate
Translation/Interpretation, 2007

Overall

The course offered portable and lasting experience, which has helped me easily accommodate to almost any career. The lecturers , the professors, the curriculum, is tailor made to serve the needs of students , thus enabling for a smooth and stress free transition from Secondary Education. The only downside to studying General Arts is the little or no credit and recognition the job market gives to Arts graduates.

Pros

The enrichment the course offers in providing a thorough and general knowledge

Cons

very little to no chance of securing a job in the arts industry upon completion of the course.

Useful | 8

anonymous

Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
Marketing and Sales Management, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Housing

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Home university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why?

The halls were good for a semster. They are close to campus and give an excellent opportunity to meet other students. However it is difficult to get to the city (about an 1 1/2 to 2 hours on public transport). I would live off campus if I returned because I know my way around now and have met so many people I would be able to adjust with out needing the enivronment that halls provides. I went to Monash basically on my own, so meeting as many people as possible was important. I got that from living in the halls, but they are still dorms and leave something to be desired.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

I had my own room, which was very nice, and there are kitchen facilities on each floor (although how clean they are is debatable, but it is ok). It was good for me because I cooked all my own meals, which kept my expenses low. There is a dining hall--however it does not come highly recommended. The overall expense was high to me, especially since we did not get any type of meal plan. There are laundry and computer facilities in each hall also. The environment it provided made up for the down sides of dorm life. Everyone was very friendly, and I made alot of good friends. They plan tons of activities, help to get you adjusted to the university and invovled in campus life. Overall, it was ok for a semester, I suggest living off campus or moving off after a few months if you are staying for a year.

Useful | 0

anonymous

Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
Marketing and Sales Management, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Family

Other sources of funding:

Family<br> Personal savings<br> Government assistance

Work opportunities:

It was not legal for me to work

Personal spending habits

I spent more money because of the difference in lifestyle, being an exchange student. I traveled heaps more, at least one weekend a month (usually more) because I wanted to see everything I could before I left. I also spent more money on nightlife, because I had a smaller class load than at home, and went out more. This is also influenced because students go out more here than in the states, because the drinking age is 18, so more people are going out overall than at US universities.

Telephone, Travel, Nightlife, Overall:

was more expensive than at home.

Food, Housing:

was the same price as at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Second-hand bedding

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

I think I was mainly surprised by the amount of money I spent overall. Yes, I may have spent more than necessary, but I never expected to spend what I did. You need to be prepared to spend heaps in the first few weeks, for incidental items and because you will go out and do more because classes have not started yet. After that my spending settled down, I began cooking for myself, which was very cost efficent, and saved money for trips. You need to learn how to budget or else it will get to expensive and you wouldn't be able to do all the things you would have wanted. An idea for an inexpensive weekend, would to go with an Aussie friend home for the weekend. You will get to see a new area, have a great time with your friend and it will be really cheap.

Useful | 0

xavierlebaron

Université Jean Moulin: Lyon III, Lyon, France
Marketing and Sales Management, Graduate, University Agreement

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Government assistance

Other sources of funding:

Family<br> Personal savings

Work opportunities:

I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits

Accomodation is usually a little more expensive in Melbourne than it might be in Lyon. This mainly due to the importance of finding a well located appartment. Melbourne is a wide spread metropolitan area and it is very easy to end up living 50 kms away from unioversity. Therefore, primary spots tend to be very demanded, which brings the prices of accomodation up. Concerning the night life expenditures, the geographical distances also increase the costs realted to going out as in most cases a taxi ia required to return home (due to long distances). Further, the retail prices of spirits and beers are way higher than in Europe (where it is easy to buy cheap beer or other alcoholic beverages in supermarkets). Travelling is fairly expensive in australia because there are great distances to be travelled between destinations.

Housing, Nightlife, Overall, Travel:

was more expensive than at home.

Food, Telephone:

was the same price as at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

A good surprise is the sustainability of the Euro currency on the world market. Ther exchange rate has been very favorable for the past few months and the forecats seem pretty optimistic. This gives a confortable financial leeway to budget students studying in australia.

Useful | 8

Jayme A

Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
arts/science, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

My purse was stolen the third week I was here and it was VERY dificult to get another passport and it was not convenient location. Just take the money you want to spend and maybe one credit card with you!! Travel to Bali if you get a chance, its pretty inexpensive! Get to know the people from AUstralia and don't just hang out with other people from America who are on exchange. Go home with a native of the country and see how they live - its really great!! Take advantage of all you can - this country is amazing!!

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

2

Culture

4

Costs

2

Activities

3

Campus life

3

Party / people

4

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

I would highly recommend it to students who enjoy a small university that is away from everything. You are not close to much nightlife - everywhere you go requires a cab, even the grocery store. The classes are great and the profesors are wonderful -they are very layed back and willing to help in any way they can! THe accomodations are good also!

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

TRAVEL MUSTS: Great Ocean Road Grampians Fraser Island Whitsunday Islands Bali - if you get a chance Stay in hostels where-ever you can, they are very cheap and its an easy way to meet other people your age. -Hang out with the people from here and make friends cause that makes a huge difference, they know ALOT more than you do!! -Aussie Rules Footie is a MUST SEE and cheer for the BOMBERS!!!!!

Useful | 2