Breaking misconceptions

by Nicole Dann, Australian National University, Australia

I am officially 2 months into my exchange year at ANU in Canberra and safe to say I have been met by a few surprises. The main shock is probably how much of a Canberra fan I am and how thankful I am I was allocated ANU (even if it was my 7^th choice). If you, like I was, are unsure of ANU as a location for a year abroad, I am here to tell you that you are in for a surprise. I’m also here to tell you that Tiktok is not a legit source of information that should be trusted and the best thing about Canberra is in fact not leaving it. I’m going to proceed to break down these misconceptions I once took for truths and use my experiences as a reminder that you really can’t predict what a year abroad has in store for you.

Canberra is dead

Now look, I wouldn’t recommend Canberra as a must-see travel spot on your East Coast travels of Australia. However, as an ANU student , Canberra is by no means dead. First and foremost, the student nightlife is, in my opinion, far superior to any sub-par Wednesday sports social at Manchester. Without rife clubbing options, it was an adjustment finding out that the main, reliable night out is Mooseheads Thursdays. Now this may come as a shock coming from the Manchester nightlife scene which spoils us for choice with Quids in Mondays and 256 Tuesdays but I can now say I have been converted. As a campus university, there are also organised social events most weeks including the most recent sexual awakening social for sex week at my college (see photo for reference). The week also included an informative panel on sexuality, an LGBTQ+ fire pit and free advice. And, while there is no warehouse project, Canberra does offer bush toofs which I can only describe as a student-led rave in the bush – just watch out for snakes.

There is also a whole host of cafes and restaurants to your choosing. Kambri (which is Canberra’s version of Oxford Road with less buses) is a great spot to hang out with friends and catch some rays. The campus itself is surrounded by an impressive landscape with a beautiful lake, Black Mountain and the Telstra Tower which is for sure something to check out when you arrive. This is just a handful of the activities on offer and that’s before the summer season has even started where I have heard there are lots of beautiful swimming spots and waterfalls to check out nearby. May not be Bondi beach but it’s something!

Everyone just studies 

Obviously we are all here for a study abroad period which of course means attending lectures, finishing assignments and expanding your knowledge. But, I have to admit I felt slightly unnerved to hear that ANU was considered a prestigious and highly academic university. I am here to tell you that I have spent more time at the sports centre and on the playing fields participating in netball, table tennis and even AFL than any lecture theatre. I have also sacrificed most of my Saturday nights training for an activity unique to ANU called Inward Bound. I will eventually dedicate a whole blog to this but in essence, it is Duke of Edinburgh on steroids. You are quite literally driven blind folded to the middle of the bush with head torches, a map and compass and, in teams of 4, you race to the end point which is an ultra-marathon away…fyi I was never a runner.

This is not to say that I have been slacking off work, but more that ANU offers way more than just academics. With a college system, expect to be roped into playing all the ISO sports in the terms – I’ve even been roped into coaching college tennis for this coming term!

You’re grouped with international students 

One massive plus side of ANU is its campus style which means that pretty much everyone – both domestic and international students – live in the accommodation on campus. I applied to live in Ursula Hall and it was the best decision I made. As the smallest catered college, you immediately get to know your fellow hallmates, sitting with them at breakfast, lunch and dinner. On top of this, the committee organise a whole host of social events the first couple weeks – both sober and drinking – which are a great way of meeting people. Before I’d even opened an Australian bank account, I was dressed as Hillary Clinton for the dynamic duos night with the hall’s president aka Joe Biden. 

With me at my accommodation are 3 other Mancuniuns and we have adopted the group title ‘poms’ around college. Having these friendships with fellow international students is also so important and definitely helped me settle in to start with. Looking toward the big summer break, we are planning a big East Coast trip together and have already been offered accommodation to stay in in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Moral of the story, figure out who has houses in Sydney and befriend them – that’s what we did and it worked a treat during our mid-sem break!

Australian men all surf and have mullets 

Unfortunately, this has not been the case in my experience. So many Sydney-borne Aussies around me yet so few mullets (apparently they are out of season). However, I’ve heard Melbourne has higher success so maybe try your luck there…

Canberra is cold

Currently sat outside in my Birks and linens, I can confirm that Canberra is not at all cold compared to the UK’s winter and spring. Admittedly, the first night arriving in my accommodation I did sleep in my winter North Face coat but top tip: make sure you prioritise buying a duvet (or doona as the Aussies call it) on the first day. But aside from them first few days in July, my puffer coat has been nicely tucked away at the back of my wardrobe and already presents a big packing regret of mine. As the el Nino summer approaches, us poms have been strongly advised to invest in a fan for our rooms as they will apparently soon become saunas. 

Everyone drinks Fosters 

This came as a massive shock to me – no one has even heard of Fosters! Instead, get to know VB and Rivets (an Aldi bargain). Along the same line, get behind schooners. They are essentially 2/3 of a pint but they are the much more popular choice amongst Aussies. Do not fear – the good old-fashioned pint is still an option but I argue that schooners are far more superior.

Canberra is the middle of nowhere  

Now we all know Australia is a huge country, but I hadn’t quite considered the sheer distance between the different major cities. Did you know that it takes 9 hours to drive from Sydney to Melbourne – that’s the whole scope of the UK! With that in mind, Canberra is in a great spot located a mere 2 and a half-hour drive away from the hub of Australia – Sydney. If you’re lucky enough to get yourself a lift, you’ll experience the beautiful Aussie landscape and may even get to see the famous Ram (see photo for context). If not, both the train and coach is an easy alternate at a reasonable price for students and frequent throughout the day. With an airport in both Sydney and Canberra, it is easy to travel the longer distances and explore other parts of Australia. Top tip: check out Jet Star for the cheapest flights. The fellow Poms and I recently flew to Byron Bay for a cheeky getaway for under £60 – just be prepared for a slight delay… 

Down Under is cringey 

Admittedly, this was a staple in my Aussie leaving party playlist but I never thought I’d actually hear it down under but I was so wrong…they love it! They also love all Hilltop Hoods, especially Cosby Sweater which I can only compare to the Mr Brightside anthem of Australia. If you want to be the British legend on your year abroad, I’d get learning the lyrics.