I arrived in Australia in January, which is known to be the best weather because, unlike Europe, it is summer there. Only in the northeast is it more rainy, due to the rainy season. Which doesn’t mean it isn’t hot there. In general, everything runs a little slower and more chilled: For example, it is not uncommon for you to get caught up in a 5-minute conversation with the cashier at the supermarket checkout with just a short: “How is it going” and the queue arrives the till is getting longer and longer. Much to the astonishment, none of the customers complains, it is simply accepted, it seems as if you have all the time in the world there. Even when making plans, I have adapted to the habits of the Aussies: I just don’t do any more! It also works differently and, above all, with less stress.
About the language: For the first few weeks I really doubted my English skills. Until I realized that I couldn’t understand the Aussies at all, they speak a completely different language! With the English that you learn at school or university, it is difficult to communicate with Australians. You really need time to get used to their slang, the abbreviated words and the caressing;) I have to admit, I didn’t really understand them until the end… Even taking the bus is a little adventure, for example: Always start early enough, either the bus is way too early or too late. He’s never on time. Conclusion about the Australians: They are totally relaxed, mostly nice and helpful but you don’t understand them…
Education:
Wow, the Gold Coast Campus is impressive. A multitude of buildings that are in a really stylish area. Learning is really fun, of course, the weather makes it all the more important, and there are plenty of opportunities to be outdoors on campus and learn. The relatively newly built library is also great. It is two-story, on the upper floor there is an extensive collection of books and on the lower floor there is a work room with lots of computer workstations and further tables, chairs, sofas and beanbags to create a pleasant learning atmosphere. A large flat screen should of course not be missing in this room. In most of the other buildings there are also computer laboratories that are open late into the night in order to provide the students with the best possible support while studying.
See paradisdachat for more information about Australia and Oceania.
The lectures and the learning requirements differ considerably from the German standard. I would say the level is not quite as high as the German one, but the learning curve is considerably more extensive. Every 2-3 weeks, each subject has to be subordinated in the form of term papers, results of group work, tests or lectures. If, as in Germany, you are used to only taking one final exam at the end of the semester and of course only starting learning shortly beforehand, that can be a big change.
The essays in particular are a lot of work: researching and quoting causes difficulties, especially for foreign students, and courses are offered especially for these students. Many a sunny day actually had to be sacrificed for research in the library…
Living:
When we arrived in Southport, we stayed in a hostel for a few days until an apartment was found (note: the “Trekkers” is not recommended). The 3 of us wanted to live together during the semester (it didn’t hurt learning the English language) and decided to look locally and definitely not to go to a student residence. The “Griffith University Village” is, for example, not to be recommended, too expensive and doesn’t look nearly as great as in the pictures. In addition, you cannot rent the apartment on a monthly basis, but have to pay for half a year. Since the semester starts in March and runs until the end of June, you already have a problem. If this is not explicitly stated on the website, you will only find out in the course of communication with those responsible. Registration fees paid up to then will of course not be returned. They make a lot of money with it, some who fell for it have met with. So, if you want to go there, take care. But about our place to stay: Griffith helps with the search, there is a notice board on which landlords can post advertisements. There is also a driver available to take seekers from sightseeing to sightseeing. We found a nice little house just outside, in the Biggera Waters district. Price was OK, unfortunately not in the center of the main beach or Surfers Paradise (neighboring towns directly on the sea) but really a counterpoint to the always pulsating Surfers Paradise. Surfers could be reached quickly by bus. The connection to the university was also OK. In these places, of course, you pay more than a little further outside. We had some acquaintances who paid significantly more, but lost a lot of living comfort. So, my tip: be patient and only look for a place to stay when you are there. If you are interested in our former booth, here is the name of the landlord: Brad Mainwaring (easy to find on Facebook)…
Free time / going out:
Well, the nightlife despite every description: I can only say this much: The neighboring town of Southport is called Surfers Paradise (short: Surfers) is press on the beach and THE party place in Australia. It’s worst in the Schoolies, the counterpart to the American Spring Break. An apartment costs a whopping 3000 bucks a week! But there is also something else going on in the town every day, you can always experience something.
Otherwise, trips to neighboring national parks can be undertaken after about an hour’s drive, so you definitely won’t get bored. Byron Bay is definitely worth a trip, one of the most beautiful and relaxing places I have seen in Australia. And I think you should have surfed at the end of your stay…
Yes, as far as my report, please contact me if you have any questions.
