Details

• Australia
• MASIMC-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I believe the most important aspect during the application process is to really stay true to yourself and authentically articulate what truly draws you to an exchange semester and the particular country and university you want to go to. Be sure to do some research about the university you want to attend and integrate aspects of your research into your motivational statement. It is important that you show that your decision is based on a set of rational reasons, even if one of them might be a life-long dream to live in a certain country. The most important aspect in preparation for you exchange semester is the carefully read all the information you get from the exchange university and WU. If you do what is stated in all the emails, all essentials for your exchange semester are covered and you do not have to worry about forgetting anything. I also found it very helpful to talk to people that had previously done an exchange at the university you are nominated for and to learn from their experiences.

2. Accommodation

I just looked for student accommodations in Brisbane and ended up choosing the Student One at Wharf Street. I personally felt like Student One offered the best and comparatively cheapest options for exchange students. It was one of the only companies that let you have a lease for under 6 months, saving a lot of money if you do not plan to stay that long. The location at Wharf Street was great. It is super central and in walking distance to QUT and all your daily needs and also very safe. There is another Student One accommodation even more central, but Wharf Street offers more common spaces and is a nicer option all in all. I had a shared apartment with four other students and it worked out great for the four months I was in Brisbane.

3. Academic life at host university

All my classes were at the QUT Gardens Point campus. The campus is right in the city next to the Botanical Garden and easily accessible by foot if you live in the city. It offers everything you need, including multiple restaurants, cafes, a gym and swimming pool, multiple study spaces (even outside) and libraries. I would say the academic culture is not quite as competitive as in Austria. It is not so common for Australians to actually do a Masters and it is mostly international students in the Master's programs. All my courses were split into tutorials and lectures. The general style of the lectures is similar to WU, with professor presenting the respective content and encouraging discussions. In the tutorials it is more about practicing the content from the respective week beforehand to consolidate the knowledge. These are often not held by the professors themselves but by university assistants.

5. Every day life in the host country

Brisbane is a very vibrant city. There of tons of restaurants, bars, cafes and so many of them even have live music multiple times a week. There are also many free activities, either offered by the city itself or privately organized activities such as running clubs or pilates in the park. Brisbane is big on sports in general, having one of the best rugby and Australian football teams in Australia. The university and exchange office also offer many extracurricular activities and you have the possibility to get active in different clubs, depending on your interests. Thus, there are abundant social and leisure activities offered during your exchange and you will definitely not get bored. Brisbane is also a very safe city and very easy to get around in with public transport (+ public transport is extremely cheap).

6. Testimonial

The privilege of spending several months at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane has become an experience that will remain one of the most impactful chapters in my life. It not only allowed me to deepen my academic knowledge but, more importantly, shaped me on a personal level and highlighted the immense value of cultural exchange. This semester abroad has become a cornerstone of my personal development, offering invaluable lessons that I will cherish for a lifetime.