Exchange Report

University of ,

Fall 2018

Wu Kin Hang BBA Finance & Information Systems, Year 3

Table of Contents

Page Part 1 Monthly Activity Log 3

Part 2 General Exchange Information 5

Part 3 Items To Bring 8

Part 4 Useful Links 9

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Part 1: Monthly Activity Log

July 2018

The second semester started in late July in 2018 (UNSW is switching to a trimester system starting 2019). I arrived in during early July to set up various things, such as opening an Australian bank account, checking into the student dormitories, and familiarizing myself with the campus and the surrounding area.

Towards the end of the month, I attended the orientation for exchange students, and met other exchange students, including ones from Hong Kong and HKUST, as well as the local students.

August 2018

During this month, lectures and tutorials began, and I spent my time adjusting to the teaching style in UNSW, which was somewhat different than in Hong Kong. In addition, I visited famous locations around Sydney with fellow exchange students, including places like the Sydney Opera House, the fish market, and the Coogee to Bondi Walk, which is within walking distance of the university.

September 2018

During this month, I took some time off to visit other cities with friends. We visited the surrounding areas outside of Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, a mountain range west of Sydney famous for its blue scenery due to light reflected off the numerous eucalyptus trees. In addition, we also travelled to , which is the capital city of Australia. Canberra is situated between Sydney and and could be easily reached by bus.

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In Canberra, we visited iconic spots such as the Parliament Building, the National Museum, and the Anzac Parade commemorating the Australian and New Zealander troops involved in various wars throughout the years.

October 2018

There were many midterms and assignments due this month, and much of the time was spent studying and working. Because I started on these early on, I was able to free up some time to do other activities as well. I visited additional spots in Sydney, such as the weekend market in The Rocks, Manly Beach north of Sydney, and Taronga Zoo, where I saw many of the famous animals unique to Australia, such as koalas and kangaroos.

November 2018

This month was spent studying for finals, which took place mid to late November, as well as making preparations to return to Hong Kong. We were given around a week before the finals to study. After the finals, many exchange students took the opportunity to visit nearby countries, such as New Zealand and countries in Southeast Asia. Personally, I spent the time visiting the homes of local students I have met and saying my goodbyes and returned to Hong Kong on the 30th.

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Part 2: General Exchange Information

Visa Procedures

Application for the Subclass 500 student visa could be done online. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from UNSW is required, which could be obtained after completing the application procedure for UNSW.

Orientation Activities

UNSW holds an orientation for all exchange students, and there are also orientations held by each faculty. In addition, many clubs and societies hold their own orientations during the beginning of the semester.

International Services and Activities

Information is sent through email by both HKUST and UNSW. In addition, there are services provided for overseas students in the Student Development International Centre in UNSW.

Accommodations

Students could either apply for university housing on campus or find their own housing. In general, finding your own housing is much more economical, but you would have to arrive in Sydney early to be able to find suitable housing.

Course Registration

Exchange students must obtain approval for enrolling in any course in UNSW. This can be done through the UNSW exchange application website. Approval may take some time to process, so it is advisable to do so early.

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Teaching and Assessment Methods

Compared to HKUST, tutorials in UNSW are much more important and a lot of content is explained here, while lectures are less important. There are also more assignments, while exams are weighted less.

Sports and Recreational Facilities

There are many facilities available in UNSW including courts for various sports, a gym, and a swimming pool, mainly located in the Aquatics and Fitness Centre. All of these require a fee to use.

Finance and Banking

It is advisable to open a local bank account, as it is a very simple procedure and would make your time in Australia much more convenient. You could either transfer funds from Hong Kong into this bank account or bring cash. Please note that you could only bring a maximum of AUD$10,000 in cash through customs, both in and out.

Social Clubs and Networking Opportunities

As always, the easiest way to meet new people is to join one of the many clubs and societies available in UNSW. Many of them hold activities regularly, where you could make new friends.

Health and Safety

Sydney is a very clean and safe city. However, it is still a legal requirement to obtain the Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC) through one of the insurance companies in Australia.

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Food

Some of the accommodations in UNSW provide catering to students. There are also many restaurants near the campus, mainly located on Anzac Parade or Belmore .

Transportation

You need to obtain an to take any of the , similar to the Octopus card in Hong Kong. You could get one at the airport upon arrival, or at one of the many convenience store and supermarkets in Sydney. The main mode of transportation is by bus, but there are also trains and light rail in some parts of Sydney.

Climate

The temperature range in Sydney is similar to Hong Kong, with the extremes being slightly higher and lower.

Communication

English is the main language in Sydney, although there are also many Chinese students in UNSW who speak mandarin.

Cautionary Measure

There are many items, including most food, that could not be brought through customs.

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Part 3: Items To Bring

• Passport • HKID • Student Visa • Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) • Phone • Laptop • Stationary • Clothes

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Part 4: Useful Links

Course Catalog http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/2018/index.html

UNSW Exchange Program Website https://student.unsw.edu.au/exchange

Transportation/Map Information https://www.gettingstarted.unsw.edu.au/maps-and-public-transport

Emergency Contact

Tel: +64 9385 6666 (On Campus)

Tel: 000 (For Police, Fire or Ambulance)

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