Spring Break
The Daily OrangeAbroad Guide: Australia
By Sarah Brain
Posted: 9/25/08, 12:24 AM EST Section: Feature
I left to study abroad for a semester in Brisbane, Australia in early July.
I left so early because their seasons are reversed - July is Australia's winter. But even "winter" in Australia is nice - it was around 60 degrees every day. The sun is almost always shining, little rain falls, and there is a water shortage that has led to restrictions throughout the country. Since Brisbane is located in the state of Queensland, farther north than either Sydney or Melbourne, it is a warmer location for more of the semester. If you're looking for heat, it's the place to be.
I've been allowed exactly four courses while I'm here for my hospitality and food service management major. The grading scale is a numerical 7 through 1 scheme instead of A through F, but achieving a 7 is harder than getting an A at home.
Try to do some research yourself by e-mailing various staff members regarding housing or other questions instead of relying on the SU Abroad office because the people actually working at the university in Australia know more and can be much more accurate in their answers.
There is an Internet quota here at the University of Queensland (200 megabytes per month) that can be replenished at a cost, so don't count on being able to use free, unlimited Internet as a means of communication to home.
The Australia abroad program is spectacular, but everyday items as well as alcohol are much more expensive than they are at home. There are plenty of bars and clubs in the city to visit, but public transportation is somewhat limited. Though I chose to live on-campus and love the convenience, the majority of students live in apartments off-campus.
Traveling around Australia is simple, and relatively cheap airfare is easy to find if you're on e-mail lists for the major domestic airlines. The country is gorgeous and you can visit all the destinations on long-weekend trips.
sgbrain@syr.edu
I left so early because their seasons are reversed - July is Australia's winter. But even "winter" in Australia is nice - it was around 60 degrees every day. The sun is almost always shining, little rain falls, and there is a water shortage that has led to restrictions throughout the country. Since Brisbane is located in the state of Queensland, farther north than either Sydney or Melbourne, it is a warmer location for more of the semester. If you're looking for heat, it's the place to be.
I've been allowed exactly four courses while I'm here for my hospitality and food service management major. The grading scale is a numerical 7 through 1 scheme instead of A through F, but achieving a 7 is harder than getting an A at home.
Try to do some research yourself by e-mailing various staff members regarding housing or other questions instead of relying on the SU Abroad office because the people actually working at the university in Australia know more and can be much more accurate in their answers.
There is an Internet quota here at the University of Queensland (200 megabytes per month) that can be replenished at a cost, so don't count on being able to use free, unlimited Internet as a means of communication to home.
The Australia abroad program is spectacular, but everyday items as well as alcohol are much more expensive than they are at home. There are plenty of bars and clubs in the city to visit, but public transportation is somewhat limited. Though I chose to live on-campus and love the convenience, the majority of students live in apartments off-campus.
Traveling around Australia is simple, and relatively cheap airfare is easy to find if you're on e-mail lists for the major domestic airlines. The country is gorgeous and you can visit all the destinations on long-weekend trips.
sgbrain@syr.edu
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