Details

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

1. Preparation

The application process at WU was very transparent and clearly structured. All required steps and deadlines were communicated in a comprehensible way, which made it easy to understand what was expected from applicants. One of the most important elements of the application was the Application Sheet. I put a lot of effort into this part and approached it similarly to preparing for an interview. I asked myself key questions such as why I wanted to go to Australia, why I chose QUT specifically, which courses I intended to take, and why I considered myself a suitable candidate for an exchange semester. I would recommend future applicants to stay authentic and to demonstrate that they have thoroughly researched the host university, including its courses, programs, extracurricular activities, clubs, and societies, as well as its academic focus, as this significantly strengthens the application. Additionally, applicants should be prepared to explain how they would represent WU and Austria while abroad. Once the exchange spot is allocated, preparation begins relatively quickly, especially for Australia. Since the semester in Brisbane starts much earlier than in Europe or the United States, many organizational steps need to be completed earlier than expected. In my case, I began researching accommodation options and visa requirements in February, about one month after receiving my admission, and applied for my student visa in April. Furthermore, I would strongly recommend reaching out to former exchange students to gain “insider” tips, such as recommendations on where to live, which courses to attend, and other practical insights that can make the preparation process much easier.

2. Accommodation

For my accommodation search, I spoke to a student who had previously completed an exchange semester in Brisbane, which helped me make an informed decision. Based on this advice, I chose to live in a student accommodation, as it offers a social environment and makes it easier to connect with other exchange students. Although student accommodation is more expensive than private housing, I found it to be worth the cost due to the ease of organization and the strong sense of community. I stayed at Iglu Brisbane City, which is located about five minutes from the university campus. The accommodation offered a very social atmosphere with weekly events, as well as free breakfast and coffee. Its central location in Brisbane’s CBD was ideal, with grocery stores, gyms, shopping centers, and the university all within walking distance. Many exchange students also lived nearby, which further enhanced the social experience. In terms of safety, the residence was very well organized, with on-site security and a staffed reception at all times. Overall, I would highly recommend student accommodation, especially for exchange students who want an easy start and quick social integration. One aspect I was not aware of beforehand was the minimum contract duration of 6-7 months. As my exchange semester lasted only four months, I wanted to move out earlier and therefore had to pay a lease break fee. This could have been avoided by requesting an earlier move-out date or a shorter contract period before signing the contract. Therefore, I would strongly recommend future exchange students to clarify contract lengths and potential early termination options in advance.

3. Academic life at host university

Queensland University of Technology has two campuses, with all my courses taking place at the Gardens Point Campus in the city center. The campus is slightly larger than WU Vienna’s and offers excellent facilities, including libraries, numerous study areas (both indoor and outdoor), restaurants, cafés, as well as a gym and a swimming pool. Its central location next to the Botanical Gardens makes it very easy to reach, especially when living in the CBD. I particularly enjoyed spending time in the Botanical Gardens between lectures. All courses were divided into lectures and tutorials. Lectures focused on theoretical content, while tutorials aimed at applying the material and supporting assignment preparation. Although this structure is similar to WU Vienna, I found the overall teaching approach less well coordinated. Some lectures lacked clear structure, and tutorials were not always closely aligned with the lecture content. However, both lecturers and tutors were very approachable and supportive. The academic environment felt less competitive than at WU Vienna. At the same time, grading was relatively strict, and achieving top marks was challenging due to detailed and sometimes unclear assessment criteria.

5. Every day life in the host country

Brisbane was an excellent choice for my exchange semester. I arrived in mid-July, which is winter in Australia, but the weather was consistently sunny with temperatures of around 20°C. I experienced very few rainy days throughout the semester, which made it easy to spend a lot of time outdoors. I particularly enjoyed walking through the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, running along the river, and having barbecues in public parks. Brisbane offers many free outdoor activities, such as fortnightly Pilates sessions in New Farm Park, which I attended regularly. I also joined the SoSo Run Club, which has a very welcoming community and helped me connect with many locals. In addition, universities offer a wide range of student clubs and social events for international students. I joined the QUT Surfers Club, which organized surf trips to Byron Bay and Rainbow Beach, both of which I can highly recommend. On weekends, I enjoyed visiting local markets, especially the New Farm and West End markets. Overall, Brisbane offers a wide variety of cafés, restaurants, bars, and live music venues, providing plenty of social and leisure options. Brisbane is a very walkable and easy-to-navigate city. I mostly got around on foot, but public transport is also very convenient and extremely affordable. With a flat fare of only 0.50 AUD per ride, buses, trains, and ferries make it easy to explore Queensland and take day or weekend trips to the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast. Overall, I experienced Brisbane as a very safe, friendly, and relaxed city. I never felt unsafe, even when walking alone at night, and found people to be very open. Compared to larger cities such as Sydney or Melbourne, Brisbane felt more laid-back, while still offering plenty of social, cultural, and travel opportunities.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane was the best experience I have ever had and something I will never forget. Living and studying in Australia allowed me to grow personally, step out of my comfort zone, and build friendships that will last a lifetime. Despite being a costly destination, it was more than worth it. I was able to travel extensively, including road trips along the East and West Coasts of Australia, as well as across New Zealand, and trips to Fraser Island, Magnetic Island, Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and even Fiji. The relaxed lifestyle, welcoming people, and unique mix of city life and nature made this exchange truly special. I can highly recommend going abroad, especially to Australia, to anyone who has the opportunity. Overall, I gained immensely from all these incredible adventures and formed friendships that will last a lifetime. It is an experience I will cherish forever, and I can wholeheartedly recommend taking the opportunity to study at Queensland University of Technology.