University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC)

While living on campus was an excellent way to interact with new people and make friends, it could be a little restricting at times sharing a room with a stranger. That said, I would probably do it again because it allowed me to get invloved in many more campus activities.

No. There were definetely surprises, though these were all interesting parts of the learning experience.

I believe Chapel Hill to be an excellent university in terms of both academic and social aspects. It is quite isolated which means the student is forced to spend a large amount of time there though this added to the sense of community. Students should be aware when attending universities in typically 'southern' states of some prejudices towards religious beliefs and homosexuality. That said I had friends of different religions and of homosexual orientation who still very much enjoyed their time.

The courses at Chapel Hill are very high quality. The teachers are well qualified and really interact with their students. The classes offered were of a higher stage than where my studies were up to back home, but I managed to adapt quite easily.

Yes. Lectures were compulsory and only two could be missed throughout the semester. This would have been fine, if it were not for the fact that international students are entered into classes last and therefore get the least favoured pick of class times. I was therefore stuck with classes starting 9am or earlier all five weekdays! I would suggest international students be given special consideration in terms of picking class times, perhaps with preferences given earlier.

The exchange rate made living expenses greater in the States. I also lived at home in Australia and therefore had less expenses. However, I believe with careful budgeting it could have worked out around the same as in Australia.