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.
This is it...
16 years ago
8 comments:
I wish I would have known... to bring long sleeve shirts, hooded sweatshirts, or a thin, warm jacket. I studied at USC during the Fall semester in Ohio, which is their winter. Don't get me wrong...their winter is like summer in Ohio; however, the evenings get chilly when the sun goes down. I had my parent’s ship over warmer clothes for me.
I also wish I had known how cold it was going to be for the second half of my trip! I'm studying at USC in Semester 1, which would be the Spring semester in the States (Feb-Jun) and it's the beginning of Australia's winter season. It's pretty cool during the night as well as some days after April. Either semester I think it would be wise to bring warm clothes!
I also wish I had known to buy a cheap pre-paid cell phone as soon as I got here. For the first two months I spent almost $100 on the phone in my room at Unicentral (calling local landlines and cells only). The charges are outrageously expensive when using landlines. For those students who plan on calling home a lot, or want people from home to be able to call them cheaply 'Vonage' phones are a good idea to look into. It's a phone that travels with you and allows people from home to call you on a number you choose. For example, My Vonage phone number is a NY number so my family and friends can call it anytime and only be charged as if calling a NY landline. I can also use it to call them anytime and it's free (Unlimited Basic World package- about $28/Month- but first 2 months free for any package if you refer a friend or tell them you were referred by a friend when you sign up) The Vonage phone also has voicemail so you won't miss any important calls and you can forward your calls to your room phone or even Australian cell phone. It has saved my family and friends back home a ton of money and been very convenient for when I've needed to call home anytime. When you run low on prepaid cell phone credit here, you can even use this phone to call Australian numbers free =)
I also wish I had known to have plenty of Australian cash when I first arrived. As soon as you get through customs it's very rare to find any place that accepts USD, including the student accommodation residences and the buses you'll need to take as soon as you get here.
I recommend opening a bank account (ANZ has great rates for students and no usage or ATM fees) and transferring funds. You'll start to see the foreign finance fees and charges rack up on your credit cards, upwards of $50/month for transaction fees alone!
I wish I would have known:
to have taken advantage of the USC trip to Fraser Island--it costs a lot less than booking it by yourself.
that DVDs from the U.S. don't play in Australian DVD players
that it's a good idea to open an Australian bank account--you won't have to pay an extra 3% for every transaction
that it's easier to pay your rent in full at the beginning than having to worry about it throughout the semester
that you shouldn't expect it to be sunny everyday--even the Sunshine Coast has days off!
that Skype would become my new best friend--it's free, easy to use,and lets me keep in touch with my family members and friends. I wouldn't suggest getting a cell phone. They're expensive and most everyone uses their room phones to call their friends.
that no matter how much you think you won't need them, bring warm clothes!!
that in OZ, you drive on the lefthand side of the road. Rent a car and have a road trip with your friends, then laugh about how funny/scary it is to have to re-learn how to drive on the opposite side of the rode.
that this incredible experience would go by so fast
and lastly, I wish I would have known that this experience would change me for the better. I've become more independent, more free-spirited, a harder-worker, and developed an even bigger passion for traveling as a direct result of studying at USC :)
USC is great place to study at. Everyone that has contributed so far has some great points and things to consider. Studying abroad really changes your perspective and the world contributes to molding you into a more well rounded person. With that said there are a few things that one may like to know before studying at USC or in Australia in general.
-It is definitely a good idea to have some Aussie cash before you arrive. Exchange it before you leave a some sort of financial institution. DO NOT use the airport exchange, they will rip you off on the conversion rates. Also, the best thing to do is to open an Australian bank account. As someone mentioned, ANZ offers a free student account. If you don't open an account here you will get shafted by your home financial institution every time you withdraw money. THe banks here also offer pretty solid conversion rates as well.
-As far as phones go, skype is awesome. It's extremely cheap and easy to use. For call in the country, most internationals I know use mobile phones. If you can work out some international plan with you service provider at home that's great. If not, I would suggest just buying a cheap phone. You can find some really good deals. If you decide to buy a mobile phone, then it is important to know that most of them do not work off of service plans. You simply by minutes in blocks and when you use them up, you have to recharge them. I like this because you can be as conservative as you need to be.
Another general thing to know is that Australia is expensive. A cheeseburger at McDonalds is 2 dollars instead of one. A medium size cup of coffee will be around $AUD4-4.50, instead of around 2 dollars. A six pack of beer will be around AUD$10 instead of 5-6$. Be prepared to pay more everything. If you are taking a loan out to study abroad, take out a little bit more than you think you might need. You'll glad you did.
-Student living is a great way to meet new people. If you are only over here for a semester, then you can't go wrong with student living. If you are going to be over for more than a semester it would be good to live in student housing for about 6 months and then you might want to look at finding some roommates and getting a house or an apartment unit. This will let you get out and about in the local community a bit more...which is always a good thing. Plus, often times you can find a better deal outside of student accommodation, just be prepared to have so sort of transportation to the university lined up.
Something that you might wish you had known before you left is that your admissions officer is totally available to assist you with all manner of questions prior to your departure - that's me! There is some great advice in these posts - it's true that it DOES get chilly here, it's true that our phones and internet are comparatively pricy and it's true that you can only use Australian $s in Australia!
Some more info that you may wish you'd known:
While the Sunshine Coast has developed considerably in the last 10-20 years we are still very much a costal town; people are very friendly and welcoming and I am sure you will enjoy the experience of living here and studying on the USC campus. The year-round sub-tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and high quality university has also attracted high quality teaching staff to the region and to USC.
USC was the first Greenfields university in Australia for 25 years when it was established in 1996. We have a beautiful and architecturally impressive campus, buildings have won national awards for architectural design and for the environmentally innovative and sound features. We have lots of lovely open green space and a climate that invites us to use that space outdoors for most of the year. There are kangaroos sharing the campus with us which is unique to us as a university. We border the Mooloolah River National Park and so are in a very relaxing and peaceful area. We are however just a short distance from the beauty and activity of the coastal towns and beaches. Along with the master planned buildings we benefit by having modern and comfortable furnishings and diverse technologies available to students and teachers. Our programs have been developed with a traditional basis but in line with modern needs. We have many international institutional partners who recognise the academic rigor and value of the courses and award credit to their students on undertaking their studies at USC. Our academic staff are involved in collaborative research projects with our partners and our location and opportunity for academics to develop innovative courses and programs have attracted excellent staff to USC. In fact our staffing profile boasts one of the highest number of PhD qualified academics in Australia.
Excellent student accommodation is located directly beside the campus, a 5-minute walk each way. You can have a look at UniCentral and Varsity Apartments on-line at www.unicentral.net.au and www.varsityapartments.com.au Applications for accommodation can be made easily on-line. You can reach the closest beaches at Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headlands and Maroochydore in 15-20 minutes by bus or 10 minutes by car.
You might like to view some of the Student profiles that are posted on our USC website
http://www.usc.edu.au/Students/International/Internationaltestimonials/
There are a number of testimonials from students from countries around the world, these offer a good insight into the experience of current and previous International students that might be helpful.
I look forward to assisting you to come to USC!
:)Jodi.
I agree with the warm clothes. Even though it may be 70 degrees outside it will feel like 50 to you. Also, Skype is the best way to communicate with people back home and a great way to keep in touch with people you meet while you're abroad. It's free and really easy to use. As for the debate about buying a cell phone. I would suggest getting one while you're there. A lot of times it was nice to have one while touring other areas and to get a hold of people if you weren't in your room. If you want to get a hold of someone at your residence it's easiest just to call their room number if they're home since it's free. Don't bother taking a hair dryer, straightener, etc. since they're nearly impossible to use there. Stuff like that can be purchased really cheap at sam's warehouse and even some of the second hand stores in mooloolaba. Another thing is to not buy textbooks unless it's absolutely necessary. You cannot sell your books back at the end of the semester and just like here they are not cheap! Not all classes use the book and the library has most (i think they might have all) required textbooks for classes. They are in a special room and can't leave the library so you know there will always be a copy availible. Finally, you'll probably have a lot of stuff you bought there that you won't be taking home like a laundry basket, cell phone, linens, etc. Join a group on facebook and try and find someone from GVSU who will be attending USC the next semester. You can arrange to sell them all your leftovers at a discount so it works out well for both of you. If you are leaving before they arrive you can leave them with your roomate or possibly the office at the apartments.
I wish I knew about the Internet, its not unlimited like home, and the plans run on gigs, and you only have them for a month. Its $10 for 1 gig, and when you first check into where ever you are staying I suggest you get the 3 gig for $40. Just so you have enough to email, skype get connected with home because the first few days can be tough.
I love my prepaid cell phone, and you can get them right in the air port when you get off the plan and purchase the plan monthly to suite your needs.
Shipping from the United States to USC two words expensive and hard! My parents sent me warmer close and just basic things garbage bags, paper towels, napkins etc. It was a process, so if your family is going to send you things, I would suggest going to the post office before you leave: get the customers papers, and ask about box size and weight and what it will cost you.
Also, I recommend signing up for any trips that are run through STA at USC. They have everything from a day tour to a few days, and not only are they a great time, you get to see the sunshine coast, but you meet a lot of people, and I made some great friends on those trips.
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