University Of Wollongong Australia 1. Academics • Describe your class selection/enrollment process. o I took all elective classes at University of Wollongong. I took Watercolor, Australia 101, Concepts of Happiness and a class on Culture. o My classes all transferred back as 4 units and grades are very different there. They give HD=High distinction, D= Distinction P=Pass, C= credit and so forth. o Just an FYI regarding how your grades will transfer back to CSULB -- unlike most people you'll meet out there, they will not be transferred back as pass/fail. Here's the conversion Wollongong = CSULB HD = A D = A C = B P = C PS = D F = F o Enrollment process is interesting, just make sure you know the time you have to enroll. Also, Tutorial enrollment is SEPARATE. Every class has a different date for tutorial enrollment so be aware of that. So many classes to choose from. • How did your classes differ from those you have taken at CSULB? o Classes are very different then CSULB for countless reasons. Every class has a lecture and tutorial . Most lectures are recorded and put online . There isn’t any homework or small assignments, most classes have a few tests and essays and that is all. This is good and bad because every assignment can be worth 20-80% of your grade. Also assignments tend to be due at similar times. Writing style is different there, they are more factual and straight to the point and Americans tend to stand out in public speaking as that is not prominent in Australia. Classes are more difficult than I expected. The grading is extremely harsh compared to CSULB, but they also transfer higher; with that being said I came home with 3 B’s and 1 A. You have so much more free time because you don’t have to constantly do work for classes. 2. Housing • Where did you live? (homestay, apartment, etc.) o I lived in International House Dorm . Full catering, meaning: hot breakfast every other day, sandwich bar for lunch and hot dinner every night. The staff is extremely nice and truly accommodates to everyone. There is also a coffee machine and always some type of snack available. I got my own room with a twin bed, desk, shelves and closet. Rooms with two people are available but not as common . Halls and bathrooms are co-ed . There are washer/dryers, computer lab, library, game room and a lounge room. Every deck has a kitchen with a fridge, stove, oven and microwave . The location and community is remarkable . I always felt safe and welcomed . There are events put on by the mentors at least twice a week and International House has a 15 seat van which can be used for dorm events. • What was the housing selection process? Was it easy or difficult to arrange? o The housing selection is done directly through the school. The process is very easy and self-explanatory just be aware of dates. • Would you recommend where you stayed to future students? o I would 110% recommend where I stayed because the community is one of a kind. I came to the country knowing no one and left with a family and life long friends. The Mentors “RA’s” make a genuine effort to make everyone feel at home. o The location is phenomenal International house is about a 5 minute walk from the train station and bus to school. Also the beach is 1 mile away and downtown Wollongong is a little over a mile. • What was your monthly housing cost? o Living in Australia is weekly or bi-weekly, not monthly like Australia. My rent was $385 AUD (Australian Dollar) a week. This included my own room, internet, utilities and food. 3. Costs and Budgeting How much did you spend on average per week on things like: • Food? o Living in International house all my meals were included. The kitchen does close after dinner but I regularly took snacks to my fridge upstairs. Of course I went out and tried food as well and every meal was at least $10-$20. o Tax is always included in price and you NEVER tip so it evens out. • Transportation? o There is a free city bus that goes throughout Wollongong, which is extremely convenient and nice. I got everywhere I needed to go in the city with the bus. o Train is the next biggest way of transportation. I always went to North Wollongong station and used the train to get to Sydney, Blue Mountains, and other places throughout New South Whales. You need an OPAL card. o On Sundays unlimited travel on trains, buses, and ferry boats is $2.50 which is great o The only airport is Sydney airport, but Sydney airport is international which is convenient. o Uber is now available in Wollongong o I also walked so much. I could walk so many places and walking is very common. o You can also rent a car, which is convenient but just know people drive on the opposite side of the road in Australia. • Travel? o Australia is a beautiful country, travel as much as you can. o I traveled to so many places, but some MUST-DO’s. Wollongong rock pools . Melbourne . Bondi Beach (bondi –bronte walk) . Minamurra Rainforest . Sea cliff Bride . Sydney and wollonong Botanical Gardens . Sublime Point . Opera House (Sydney) . Manly Beach (Sydney) . Byron Bay . Blue Mountains . Great Barrier reef . Crystal Castle . Symbio Wild Life Park o Overall I would say my traveling, food, shopping, gifts, activities and adventures cost $5,000. o I flew to Brisbane and rented a car and went to Byron Bay and a bunch of places on the way. That trip cost around $500 AUD, but I was able to see a lot of places o I also took a weekend trip to Melbourne which was about $600 o My biggest trip was a 10 day trip around the South Island of New Zealand. My friends and I rented a camper van which we lived out of and traveled in. I kayaked Milford Sound, did the worlds largest cliff jump and did so many other fun activities. This trip was most expensive costing about $1,500 NZD but it was a trip of a lifetime. o I also went to Cairns and the Great Barrier reef with my mom and sister at the end of my stay • Personal expenses? o I brought all my own cosmetics which I highly recommend because any American Imported items can be pricy. o Items do seem more expensive there but tax is always included and the Australian dollar is worth less than the American dollar. 4. Foreign Language • Australia is an English speaking country • There is an immense amount of slang in Australia • SUCH AS: o Goon: wine box o Chips: french fries o Keen: down to do something o Heaps: lots o Bludge: do nothing o Mate: friend o Boggan: red necks o Ahhhvo: avocado o Arvo: afternoon o Chockablock: full o Paddy wagon: cop car o Mackas : McDonald's o The boot: trunk o Note: Dollar bill o Hire: rent o Saucy: promiscuous o Bin: trash can o Trackies: sweatpants 5. Additional comments I made a list of Los Angeles and Australia Differences, here are some of them: • -Buses: In Australia people just rush off the bus no matter where they are, where as in LA people are going left to right • -There are 2-3 lanes on the freeway, we could have 8 lanes • -In La you always split bills and in Australia it is very rare • -People in Australia are more laid back • -The drinks in Australia make 0 sense, iced coffee has ice-cream but milkshakes are just flavored milk and smoothies are mainly juice • -Portions in the states are immensely bigger than in Australia • -You tip 10-20% in the states and none in Australia • -In LA we have 50 assignments for a uni class and many grades, Australia there are 4 assignments as your whole grade • -Australia seems way safer, I would never do the things I do here in LA (71% less likely to be murdered living in Australia compared to the states) • -Minimum wage in Australia is way higher • -Alcohol is about 5 times the price • -In Australia the drinking age is 18 years old, people go to bars and clubs not parties • -In the states uni is 4-5 years in Australia it is 3 years • -28.8 million in California and 3.9 million in LA as of 2013 compared to 4.29 million in Sydney 23.13 million in Australia • -Finding wifi in LA is very easy where finding wifi in Australia is like going on a treasure hunt • -Australians love to abbreviate all their words and people from LA are wordy • -Students in LA are usually good at public speaking and it is promoted from a young age • -College sports in the states are crazy and intense, a huge event, in uni sports is just about participating • -BUGS in Australia are way crazier and more prominent • -Aussies go out on the week days, although we can the best nights to go out are Friday and Saturday • -We do not have tutorials in LA, we just have lectures and sciences have labs • -Australians take casual wear to a whole new level, being barefoot and jeans are always normal, where in LA people dress to fill their gas tank • -Gas: It would be absolutely unheard of to fill your tank before you pay in LA, but here it is so normal in Australia and gas is sold by liters not gallons • -Air is cleaner in Australia • -Dates in America: October 28th, Dates in Australia: 28th of October • -There are no sororities or fraternities in Australia • -Australians and Americans drive on opposite sides of the roads • -Living in La you do not always see a movie star as living in Australia you do not always see a kangaroo even though it is more common • -People sneeze in their hand in Australia and in their elbow in LA • -Cussing is way more prominent in Australia then LA • -Tax is included in every price in Australia but not in LA, 9% tax • -The currency is different (Australian dollars are waterproof and the $1&$2 is a coin) • -Walking direction is opposite just like car direction is opposite I loved Studying Abroad so much.