Australasia
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Perth to Exmouth Road trip
By Emma Pitcher, University of Western Australia Perth, Australia In the September break, a group of us decided to road trip from Perth to Exmouth. This was one of the best experiences in my life so if you’re heading to WA, I highly recommend it! Go outside of Aussie summer as it gets very hot up north! This blog covers our itinerary, plus any recommendations 🙂 We hired a Britz van for 9 days which fit four people, but we were also travelling as a part of a larger group of about 20 people. Day 1 – Perth & Jurien Bay The first day involved getting to the van hire…
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Sydney: A Year Abroad in Review
By Joe Ashby, University of Sydney, Australia It’s difficult to put into words how incredible my year abroad experience in Australia was. It is also a near impossible task to succinctly encapsulate this adventure in a mere 500 words; however, this blog will attempt to do so.
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Residential Life at the University of Western Australia
By Emma Pitcher, University of Western Australia Perth, Australia Similarly to universities at home in the UK, UWA offers several accommodation options that are near the campus grounds. Obviously, which one you pick depends on your preferences, budget, etc… however, after my first semester I can provide my own recommendations! Something I found to be severely lacking when I initially began my UWA research. First off, there are 5 different colleges to choose from: University Hall, Trinity Residential College, St Thomas More College, St George’s College and St Catherine’s College. All the details on costs and what services they provide can be found on their respective websites but in this…
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How to Pack for a Year at ANU
by Alex Moore, Australian National University, Australia When it comes to packing, I definitely got caught up in thinking about Australia in the summer. However, as I have learnt, Canberra winters are no joke. When you arrive in July, it will be around 10-15 degrees, so you may want to reconsider packing your puffer. It may not sound as cold as the UK, but for some reason, the cold just hits differently out here (and their buildings aren’t as insulated as they are at home, which doesn’t help). The saving grace of winter is that it does not rain to the extent it does in Manchester (thankfully), and the showers…
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Packing for your year abroad
By Emma Pitcher, University of Western Australia Perth, Australia Now that I am approaching the end of my year abroad and am faced with the daunting task of packing… Here’s what you should and shouldn’t bring. I brought too much. In all fairness, when I was packing, I did have to consider if I would have enough for the whole year. But don’t overcomplicate it. Only bring what you need and actually wear. None of that “I’ll definitely wear this *insert item you’ve kept in the back of your wardrobe and never worn*.” And in terms what you need, make sure to include a coat, i.e., a raincoat (it doesn’t…
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A Wholesome Wine Tasting Day at Brindabella Hills
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia If you’ve been in Canberra for more than a few months, you’ve probably had that feeling: you’ve been to the same brunch spots, walked around Lake Burley Griffin a few too many times, and you’re wondering what else there is to do that’s actually different. Cue: Brindabella Hills Winery. About a 30-minute drive from the city centre, this spot feels like a complete escape. Nestled in the foothills of the Brindabellas, the views alone are worth the trip — rolling vineyards, soft autumn light, and sweeping mountain ranges in every direction. It’s the perfect mix of peaceful, a little bit fancy, and still…
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Surviving in Sydney: Jobs, Budgets, and Expenses
By Joe Ashby, University of Sydney, Australia Sydney is an expensive place to live. There is no way around that. So, if you are considering going to Sydney for your year abroad, the best thing you can do is prepare and accept the fact you are going to take on some significant financial burdens during your time here.
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A Month in the Philippines: The Ultimate Island-Hopping Escape 🌴🥥
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia With over 7,000 islands, Incredible nature, and some of the clearest waters in Southeast Asia- If you’re an Aussie exchange student and staring down a generous four-month university break, you’ve gotta go to The Philippines. Out of everywhere I’ve travelled, this country completely blew me away. I genuinely believe the Philippines has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water is so blue it doesn’t feel real, and every island brings something different. From waterfalls and shipwreck dives to quiet coves and unforgettable sunsets. But it’s not just the landscapes. What made this trip unforgettable were the people: warm, helpful,…
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A love letter to Sydney 💌
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia As my time in Australia comes to a close, one city stays with me more than any other: Sydney. It’s not just the harbour views or postcard-perfect beaches. It’s something harder to pin down a particular pace, a way of being. Sydney offers an ease that’s difficult to describe until you’ve lived inside it for a while.
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Summer road tripping through New Zealand: your sign to stay abroad for Christmas
By Maja Peach, University of Auckland, New Zealand Hello! It has been a while since my last blog, and I thought I would pick back up with reminiscing on my incredible summer in New Zealand. This blog is going to dive into the very start of my summer where I experienced my first workaway and a fabulous road trip through the South Island…
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What It’s Really Like Going to a Festival in Australia ?
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia If you’re a music lover, festival goer, or simply curious about what it’s like to party under the Aussie sun – this one’s for you. After spending nearly a year living in Australia as a UK exchange student, I’ve had the chance to experience a few festivals that honestly changed how I see live music events. Here’s what sets Aussie festivals apart, plus a few tips to help you make the most of the experience while you’re here. The Vibe: More Chilled, More Clean, More Respectful The first thing that struck me was the overall vibe. Australian festivals are much more chilled out.…
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Saturday in Sydney
By Ayero Moro, Australian National University, Australia I only visited Sydney a few times during my year abroad. One of my favourite days started like this: coffee from a local spot near Newtown, sitting outside watching the city slowly wake up then falling asleep on the grass. We wandered through Glebe Markets that morning. It’s one of those places where you can find vintage Levi’s next to handmade jewellery and a pile of books someone’s trying to rehome. I didn’t need anything, but I still somehow left with a tote bag, a mango smoothie, Cinnabon, and a couple mozzy bites. In the afternoon, we caught the ferry from the Quay.…
