Reviews of University of New South Wales (UNSW) | Australia

Useful | 8

Mike W

Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
Marketing and Sales Management, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Family

Other sources of funding:

Personal savings

Work opportunities:

I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits

Everything is very expensive in Australia. The telephone service I used the entire time was a pre-paid mobile phone, which cost 25 cents per minute for a local call, and calling cards which you could use from a pay phone and would cost you approximately 2 cents per minute (to call the US) I strongly recommend getting Skype as you can use it at internet cafes or if you get the internet in your residence. The housing was expensive but definitely worth it, it was $200 AUD per week for our house per person, but it was very nice and only 2 blocks from the ocean. Nightlife is very expensive compared to the normal University town in America, for a mixed drink (ie. Bourbon and Coke) you will pay between 6 and 9 AUD and for a pint of beer it will be between 4 and 8 AUD. The travel is expensive but well worth it, try to use Jetstar and Virgin Blue as they are much cheaper than flying Qantas. For the food, you should look out for bars that offer $5 steak night (Five-0 in Coogee offers very moderately priced meals 5-9 AUD) these aren't the best steaks but they are good and the portions are large.

Nightlife, Travel, Telephone, Food, Overall, Housing:

was more expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

If coming from America I would suggest getting a Capital One credit card as they do not have a Foreign Transaction Fee. I did not have this card and on my Visa I was charged an extra 3% on everything I bought in the local currency. ATMs were available everywhere, and if you have an account with Bank of America you can easily find a Wespac ATM that does not charge you any fees. I would suggest Unwired for the internet as they offer a good plan for a decent price, and you don't have to get a bank account and everything to get a phone line, and you don't have to pay for the expensive phone line.

Useful | 4

Mike W

Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
Marketing and Sales Management, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

I went not knowing a thing, and I feel that going in with no expectations made me enjoy the trip even more.

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

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

Academic reasons

3

Culture

4

Costs

2

Activities

3

Campus life

3

Party / people

3

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

I would recommend this University over the other Sydney universities as the location is very good and the campus life and activity is excellent.

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

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

I had an AMAZING experience and I would recommend my exact trip to anybody. For traveling I would definitely suggest the south island of New Zealand (I went with a tour group called Kiwi Experience, it was GREAT!) I went to Fiji on the way home and that was definitely an amazing trip, it was reasonably priced and gorgeous. Within Australia I would suggest a trip for a long weekend to Melbourne, as well as a trip down the east coast. I would definitely go sailing on the Whitsundays, (my boat was called "Spank Me" and it was a great time) I would do as much as you can around Sydney and do as much as possible. A budget alternative to doing the bridge climb is to climb the pillar (9 dollars instead of 200). Overall, an unbelievable trip.

Useful | 0

malgras g

University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
Language, Undergraduate, Independent

Overall

I wish I had known...

i wanted above all to become an international profile with good english language skills

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

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

Academic reasons

4

Culture

2

Costs

4

Activities

3

Campus life

2

Party / people

3

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

nothing special

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

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

2

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

i enjoyed my experience for many reasons: i traveled and met a new amazing country where i met people from all over the world who taught me a lot about culture and many subject. i learn a new lenguage which can allow me to communicate with more civilization.

Useful | 0

Maria L

Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Language, Undergraduate, Independent

Overall

I wish I had known...

Almost enverything developed as I expected

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

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

Academic reasons

4

Culture

4

Costs

3

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

Personally, if taking an english course again, I would stay for a longer time (minimum 6 months)

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

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

Teachers were great, they gave us the support we needed regarding study, social activities and travel. If its the best experience living abroad, I would recommend staying with a host family, they were really amazing!!!

Useful | 4

Silvia P

Università Bocconi, Milan, Italy
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

Not really, as i was very prepared: i read a lot and i checked many websites.

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

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

Academic reasons

3

Culture

3

Costs

3

Activities

3

Campus life

3

Party / people

3

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

I came from Italy, and in my country we don't have a campus or anything like that. i found UNSW campus very well organised and very nice. Moreover the people who worked at the study abroad office are so friendly that, after almost three years, we are still in touch! they even gave me references for the looking of a job!

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

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

I had the best experience ever! I met a lot of people, i visit a wonderful country, i became a better person, more indipendent and more social at the same time. I advice to everyone to live an experience like that, as it will stay with you forever.

Useful | 1