ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ

What drove you to apply to be a Study Abroad student at the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ?

To gain new cross cultural knowledge and experiences, to grow out of my comfort zone and to hopefully bring something new back to my community and home country.ÌýI was very interested with the courses that were offered at the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ as well as the campus’ facilities and structure, which I had previously researched about before applying.

How did you find navigating day-to-day life in ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ?

I like how welcoming and calm the city is. Despite living in the CBD area, I believe that ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ has a very contrasting atmosphere compared to my city. Life in ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ was warm and easy. The locals are always so friendly and helpful when it came to giving recommendations or help whenever I was lost. I tried to walk everywhere in ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ because walking is not a big part of the Indonesian culture so it was refreshing to be able to walk anywhere. The weather, though not always supportive, also really helped motivate me to walk rather than take the occasional tram or bus. For me, the best place to go is either Central Market or Unley because those are the two locations where I feel like I’m not exploring as a tourist, and they offer plenty of different sights and activities.

What did you do in your spare time?

I mostly went out to dine in different restaurants and local shops that sold various foods from different countries/cultures. I truly appreciate the ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ food scene because it’s so diverse, there’s so many options and most if not all of them are tasty!

What do you like most about the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ?

I like the services as well as the building itself along with all its facilities. I believe it’s the perfect size, not too small or big that it’s overwhelming. The services and support offered, be it for international students, counselling and even academic support, are all very useful to help make my study period much more effective and successful.

What did you enjoy about your academic experience?

I enjoyed the overall academic structure and way of learning. It was very different from my home university, and I was also able to make lots of new friends by interacting with them in both academic and non-academic ways.ÌýIn Indonesia, I believe the academic system still heavily relies on textbook materials and mandatory, in person lectures. Only a small portion of that hour is dedicated to interactive group discussions and case studies. Personally, I believe that having collaborative discussions and reflections are much more effective ways to learn. In Australia, the assignments are also based on personal interpretations and arguments rather than solely relying on theories.

What type of accommodation did you choose to live inÌýand have you enjoyed living there?

I lived in Scape Waymouth, student accommodation that has various university and non-university residents.ÌýI found the accommodation suitable, and I enjoyed living there because the people I met became close friends. The facilities were also well maintained and were appropriate. They also offer different activities throughout the month and it’s always a fun way to connect with old and new residents. It also happens to be a relatively close walking distance to the university.