New Blogs Offer the Student Perspective on USC & Australia

Three new blogs are available for students interested in study at the University of the Sunshine Coast. One is being maintained by a student who has just arrived at USC; the other two were created by students who studied at USC a year ago.

The newest blog site has been created by Elon University student Caroline York. Caroline has just arrived at USC with scores of other students from around the world to spend the Spring 2011 (Sem. 1 in Australia) studying at USC. To follow Caroline's semester in Australia through her blog "To the Sunshine Coast! and Beyond?" access CarolineAbroad.wordpress.com.

Ebony Marshmann of Western Kentucky University, has named her blog "Sweepin' the clouds away" (http://aspire-abroad.blogspot.com/). Ebony spent the Spring 2010 semester at USC and is now serving as a peer mentor to students interested in study abroad in Australia or elsewhere.

Olivia Jackson, who is a student at Winthrop University in North Carolina, created her blog, "Adventures Downunder" immediately upon returning from USC. To access Olivia's blog go to jacksono2.blogspot.com or click on the link on the right side of this page.

All of these students have offered to speak to students interested in studying abroad so please don't hesitate to contact them through their blogs.

Blogging Program Through Embassy of Australia Announced

This just in from the Embassy of Australia in Washington:

The Embassy of Australia in Washington, DC is relaunching its student blogging program for study abroad students currently studying in Australia. We would appreciate you publicising the program to students who will be studying in Australia this semester (February to June). The objective of the Study in Australia blog is to connect students interested in studying abroad to current US and Canadian students in Australia.

Interested students should be studying in Australia for at least three months. Students must be dependable, organised, and excited to share their experiences of studying in Australia with other students through blogging.

Blogging is voluntary but successful students will receive a gift card at the end of the program. Students who demonstrate a strong commitment to the program and studying in Australia will be invited to join the 2011-12 Student Ambassador Program upon return to North America and with the support of their institutions.

Interested students must fill out an application and submit it to northamerica@studyinaustralia.gov.au by 4 March 2011. The application form can be downloaded from our website at http://www.gostudyinaustralia.org/student-blogging-program

To read the current Study in Australia blog, visit: http://gostudyinaustralia.wordpress.com/

New USC International Facebook Page Announced

Check out USC's new International Facebook page: www.facebook.com/USCinternational.

Seeking Blogs Created by Former Students from the USA

If you are a US student who studied at USC and are willing to share a blog you created about your experience in Australia, please contact me at uscliz@usc.edu.au and let me know your blog address and give me permission to share it on this blog.

Here's our first:
http://jacksono2.blogspot.com (Olivia Jackson, Winthrop U., South Carolina)

Link to Pre-Departure Guide

If you'd like to download or purchase a copy of Study In Australia's pre-departure guide "Beyond the Outback: A Predeparture Guide for North Americans Studying in Australia" go to this link: http://studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/Help/NorthAmerica/pre_departure_2009.htm
It is an outstanding publication. I recommend it highly.

Insurance While You're in Australia

I recommend that you check out this 6 minute video: https://www.oshcworldcare.com.au/information_video.aspx It does a great job of explaining how your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) through WorldCare operates. You can also download a copy of the policy.

If you're taking the optional group flight, you must have an International Student ID Card (ISIC). If you're not taking the group flight, I still recommend that you pick up an ISIC. Check out all the benefits by visiting www.myISIC.com. It's worth it for the insurance alone. From the home page, go to Travel and then Travel Insurance. Read about ISIC Connect, too. It's a great way to stay in touch while you're on the road. You can purchase the ISIC easily from this site.

If you are also covered on your parents' insurance, be sure to find out how to make a claim should the need arise. Your home campus may also offer insurance in the event wish to increase your coverage. Check with your study abroad office.

Contact me if you have questions: uscliz@hotmail.com

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Left the USA

In this section I'm asking students to leave comments about what they wish they had known before they arrived at USC. Please leave any helpful hints you can think of.

Here's the E-mail address to use if you'd like to ask me questions or need help: uscliz@hotmail.com.