What did you particularly like about your study abroad time?

One of the things I particularly appreciated during my study abroad was the flexibility and freedom in both housing and social life. Staying in an Airbnb for the first month gave me time to settle in, handle administrative tasks, and search for long-term accommodation locally. I eventually found my place through Flatmates after a few weeks. Living off-campus, surrounded by rainforest, was a highlight for me, as it was quieter, more affordable, and allowed me to study comfortably from home while still being well connected to university life.

The social environment at university was very international and welcoming. Since I only had classes twice a week, most social interaction happened outside of lectures, especially through weekly student guild events. These ranged from Mario Kart tournaments with pizza to paint-and-sip evenings and free taco nights, which made it easy to meet people in a relaxed setting. Many international friendships also developed naturally through shared housing. Being open and proactive helped, but many connections formed quite organically. It is also worth noting that life on the Sunshine Coast follows a different rhythm, as the sun sets between 5:30 and 6:30 pm, shops and restaurants close relatively early, and nightlife is generally quieter than what many Europeans are used to.

I also really enjoyed the campus life at UniSC. The campus is spacious and surrounded by greenery, with a large open field that is perfect for jogging at any time. UniSC offers a gym membership with daily sports activities included, as well as free weekly yoga and Pilates classes. There is also a swimming pool (for an additional fee) and various university sports teams. In addition, there is a student discount app that offers deals at many nearby shops and restaurants. While it is not yet widely used, it works well and can help save money.

Academically, I particularly liked the postgraduate study structure. Each session consisted of around three weeks of classes, followed by an assignment submission and then a semester break. After each session, there was a break of approximately six to eight weeks, which many students used to travel. The Sunshine Coast has a domestic airport, making it easy and affordable to fly to destinations such as Cairns or Sydney, which allowed for great flexibility during the semester.

Beyond university life, the natural environment in Queensland was one of the biggest highlights of my stay. From campus, the beach is only about 20 minutes away, and the coastline offers countless beautiful and often empty beaches. Queensland is also home to stunning rainforest areas, which made the experience especially unique. I joined a Fraser Island tour, which I would highly recommend to anyone interested in wildlife. I also travelled north to the tropical regions, visited the Great Barrier Reef, explored the Daintree Rainforest (the oldest rainforest in the world), and spent time in Brisbane, which is about two hours away by train. Smaller towns in the region offer charming artisan markets, excellent Australian specialty coffee, and unforgettable wildlife experiences, such as visiting Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo and learning more about native animals like kangaroos and koalas.

Even after my official study abroad semester ended, I decided to stay in Australia for several more months, as there was still so much left to explore. I am now planning to travel the country by van, which shows how strongly this experience inspired me to continue discovering Australia beyond university life.

Overall, what I valued most was the combination of academic flexibility, a supportive and international campus environment, and the opportunity to experience Australia’s unique nature and lifestyle on a daily basis.

Aisha B. (IU International University of Applied Sciences - Fernstudium)

Please provide some advice for future students

Start planning early.
I started planning about a year in advance and would strongly recommend starting at least six months before departure. The most time-consuming parts were choosing the right courses and making sure they would actually be recognized by my home university, as well as completing the university application. If you plan to apply for Auslands-BAföG, this also requires additional time. Booking flights is comparatively quick.

Consider the visa options carefully.
For Australia, the Work & Travel visa can be a very cost-effective alternative to the Student Visa. The Student Visa costs around €1,000, while the Work & Travel visa is about €330. With the Work & Travel visa, you can study for up to 3.5 months and stay for up to one year overall. Studying while on this visa was not an issue at all. You can also work up to 40 hours per week. The only downside is that you need to organize your health insurance yourself, as it does not go through the university.

Health insurance is essential.
If you are not on a Student Visa, you will need a private international health insurance. I chose a German provider (HanseMerkur) and it was definitely worth it, as I needed a hospital visit during my stay. In general, European/German health insurance providers often offer better value for money than Australian options while providing similar coverage.

Paperwork and entry requirements are straightforward.
Australia is very digital, so printing documents is usually not necessary unless it makes you feel more secure at immigration. One important thing to note when entering Australia: do not bring any food items. Australia is extremely strict regarding biosecurity and environmental protection. If it is your first time entering the country after a long flight, it is best to play it safe and not bring any food at all.

Arrive early to adjust.
Jet lag is real. I highly recommend arriving at least one week before university starts to recover from the flight and take care of organizational tasks without stress.

Pack light and adapt locally.
Although Australia is known for its hot climate, this depends a lot on the region and season. I was in Queensland (Sunshine Coast) and arrived in August, which is winter. Evenings can be cold, so bring a warm jumper and thick socks. That said, packing light is advisable, as there is plenty of good and affordable clothing available locally.

Transportation: a car makes life much easier.
I initially thought I would manage with buses and trains, but quickly realized that Australia is very car-dependent, especially outside major cities. I lived on the Sunshine Coast and having a car here is crucial. Even grocery shopping can become inconvenient without a car, as distances are long and bus stops are often far away. I ended up buying a car and selling it again at the end of my stay. The process is much easier than in Europe, and the cost was around €2,500. Driving on the left side of the road takes some getting used to, but after one to two weeks it felt natural, even with a manual car. Most of my fellow students also had cars. Fuel costs 1€ per litre (petrol) and 1,30€ per litre (diesel).

Wildlife awareness and safety.
Wildlife in Australia is often portrayed as very dangerous in Europe, especially when it comes to spiders and snakes. In reality, you rarely encounter them, and if you do, they generally want to be left alone and go their own way. As long as you respect wildlife and do not disturb animals, you are usually safe.
What is more important to be aware of, especially in Queensland, is beach safety. Many beaches are very remote and unguarded, and especially during summer, certain areas may be closed due to jellyfish, sharks, or crocodiles. It is essential to always read and follow warning signs and never swim in closed areas. Beaches with red-and-yellow flags are patrolled by lifeguards and are the safest places to swim. Swimming between the flags is strongly recommended, as help is immediately available in case of an emergency.

Aisha B. (IU International University of Applied Sciences - Fernstudium)