Details

• Australia
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I started the application process by selecting my preferences at the beginning of December, as the application deadline was around the beginning of December. Before submitting my preferences, I carefully reviewed and analyzed the available partner universities and courses to make sure they matched my academic interests and personal goals. At the beginning of January, I received an email from Ms. Monika Knassmüller inviting me to an interview. The interview was held as an individual interview. To prepare, I focused on typical questions such as my motivation for going abroad, why I wanted to study at the University of South Australia, what my academic and personal goals were, which courses I was interested in, and what I hoped to learn during my exchange. I also informed myself about the culture and student life in Australia.

2. Accommodation

Before my exchange, I looked at all accommodation options that were officially recommended on the university’s website. There were also additional private options that students could search for independently, but I decided to focus on the university-listed accommodations. For me, it was very important to live in the CBD, as I wanted to be able to reach most places on foot. Living centrally makes everyday life much easier, and I would definitely choose this option again. I lived at Yugo Adelaide in a 4-bed shared apartment. This arrangement worked very well for me: everyone had their own private bedroom, we shared two bathrooms, and there was a small kitchen in the apartment. In addition, each floor had a very large shared kitchen. Regarding the facilities, I was very satisfied. The accommodation was clean, and the staff was always helpful whenever there were any issues. There were many common areas where students could spend time together, including a gym, a cinema room, and a large study area. Overall, I was very happy with my choice. I heard from other students that they had less positive experiences in some other student accommodations, where cleanliness was sometimes an issue. In contrast, my experience at Yugo Adelaide was very positive. The location was also perfect, as it is located on North Terrace, right in the city center. Living centrally was a big advantage, and many social gatherings and pre-parties often took place in our building because of the many shared spaces available.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure at the University of South Australia impressed me very positively. Even though it is difficult to directly compare it to WU Vienna, the campus offers a very pleasant environment for studying. There were many restaurants and cafés around the campus where students could easily get food or coffee. In addition, the library provided small kitchens where students could heat up food they had brought themselves. Overall, the campus consists of several buildings and offers various common areas where students can exchange ideas, study together, or relax between lectures. This created a comfortable and student-friendly atmosphere. When comparing the academic culture to WU Vienna, I would describe it as more relaxed and less formal. The overall atmosphere in classes was very pleasant, and the courses were generally less demanding than at WU. The relationship with lecturers was very positive: they were approachable, supportive, and always willing to help if students had questions or difficulties. Compared to WU, the teaching staff was less strict, which contributed to a more encouraging learning environment. Passing the courses did not require an excessive workload. Nevertheless, the courses were well structured, and it was still possible to learn a lot and gain valuable knowledge. The lectures were useful and relevant, and in some courses, an interactive teaching style was used, where students were encouraged to participate and discuss during class. Other courses followed a more traditional lecture format. Most courses took place once a week, and a significant part of the teaching was offered online. Usually, only seminars were held in person, which provided flexibility and helped students balance their workload during the semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Adelaide is very well organized and easy to use. In the CBD, public transport is even free, which makes getting around the city very convenient. Outside the CBD, students can use a MetroCard, which can be topped up with credit and validated when using public transport. Overall, public transport is affordable and not expensive. In addition, most places in the city center can be easily reached on foot. Regarding safety, I personally felt very safe in Adelaide. I never had the feeling that something could happen to me, even when walking around at night. We were advised to be a bit more careful around homeless people, especially on weekends, but in my experience this was never a major issue. In terms of sports and leisure activities, there are many great options. I personally had access to a gym in my accommodation, which was very convenient for me. In addition, the university itself offers a very well-equipped gym and a swimming pool at reasonable prices. There are also many sports groups and clubs that students can join. The beach can be reached in about 30 minutes by bus or train. During warmer weather, it is possible to play beach volleyball or simply spend time at the seaside. Furthermore, Adelaide offers various events throughout the year, such as food festivals. For example, I attended an Asian food festival, which was a great way to experience the city’s cultural diversity.

6. Testimonial

At the beginning, I was a little nervous about traveling alone for such a long time. However, this feeling disappeared very quickly, as there were many opportunities to meet new people from the very start. Through university activities and social events, it was easy to connect with others and build friendships that lasted throughout the entire exchange semester. I am incredibly grateful for this exchange experience. Even though Adelaide may not be one of the most popular or well-known cities in Australia, I am very happy that I had the opportunity to study and live there. During my exchange, I was able to travel along the East Coast during the two-week semester break, which was an unforgettable experience. I met wonderful people, experienced Australian culture firsthand, and grew both personally and academically. I would definitely choose this exchange again and highly recommend it to other students.