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Why you should visit Esperance, WA
By Emma Pitcher, University of Western Australia Perth, Australia Some of the best beaches in Australia are in WA, and Esperance is home to a few of them. In the south-west of WA, Esperance is a fairly isolated coastal town, about 8 hours drive from Perth. In Semester 2 of my year abroad, I spent my break in Esperance. With a couple of friends, we drove straight there and stayed at a friend’s who lived there. If you drive straight there, you can make a quick stop at Wave Rock in Hyden: The drive there is pretty chill, it is quite a rural part of WA so you get to…
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Academic Life at UWA
By Emma Pitcher, University of Western Australia Perth, Australia Compared to the University of Manchester, UWA is pretty similar in terms of academic life. You pick 4 units per semester. As an international student, you have to submit your unit choices to have them approved (choose units related to your degree and that have prerequisites you have). Make sure to discuss with your academic advisor as to what level units you should be picking. Each semester I chose two level 3 units, one level 2 unit, and one level 1 unit. My level 1 unit I treated as my “elective”, aka I did an intro level unit on anything that…
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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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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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Study Abroad Reflections on Return
I have been back in Manchester for a semester since living in Australia for one year. I have learned so much from moving away and living on the other side of the world. Studying abroad is such an amazing and unique way to grow academically and personally in a short period of time. Before I moved to Australia I really believed that I would be heartbroken when I left but I wasn’t. I was so grateful for the experiences, opportunities, and friends that I had made but I was excited to come back home. Studying abroad has made me realise how small the world really is. A flight across the…
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A Comparative Map: Manchester vs. Perth
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_vkQtLFlJEZjE2SSF_fYOoayKM4486mQ&usp=sharing Click or copy and paste the link above to access the map. Make sure to zoom in on both cities and click on the icons for descriptions of each pinned location. This map demonstrates my experience studying at the University of Western Australia, compared to the University of Manchester. Locations such as my home, the library, and my study spaces have been pinned. These show the spatial difference between Manchester and Perth as well as showing my movement in the cities. By clicking on the different pins and reading the descriptions, you can view how locations in the separate cities differ. Furthermore, comments on the assessment style difference can…
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Culture in Western Australia
*Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to offend or accuse anyone, the views written here are based on personal experience and observation* This is a blog I’ve been meaning to right for a while. Australian culture is not too different to that of the UK, they have a similar education system, speak english and even drive on the same side of the road. The main difference is the sun; there is a lot more of it. This lends itself, to an increased interest in outdoor activities, from running, surfing, paddle boarding and many other physical activities, also leading to an increased promotion of a ‘healthy lifestyle’. There are increased trend…
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Trans-Tasman Travelling Part I
Im going to apologise now as I’m about to spam you all with the blogs i have missed during this busy six months i have had. So this semester has been a hectic one and so this blog was a little neglected. My return back to Perth to begin the semester again came after a fun fuelled and hectic summer, road tripping the Australian east coast and New Zealand. It all started on the 27th November with the first flight to Cairns to begin my six weeks road trip down the East Coast of Australia. I always thought of Australia being so far away from home, but in reality the…
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Where is the time going?
By Rachael Harrison (University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia) Its been nearly two months now since I arrived in Perth, so this blog is long overdue. Since my arrival here, its been non stop fun and games, that even includes the uni work! So many new people and faces to learn, from your home of residence to the multitude of different units undertaken. Living in Trinity college was probably the best decision I’ve made. For me being a fairly social character, the chit chat is endless, I have to force myself to go and do some work otherwise i would literally spend my days socializing on the college grounds. It…
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5..4..3..2..1…TAKEOFF!
By Rachael Harrison (University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia) Since uni ended the countdown to Australia began. The excitement braced me everyday. Everyone who knew I was off on this year long adventure asked the same question, ‘Are you excited?’, ‘Aren’t you lucky to be going on this adventure?’; I could only simply answer yes, with a beaming smile. I knew I was very lucky to have been given this opportunity to study abroad, all thanks to The University of Manchester. The night before the departure was tough saying bye to my parents, brother and nephews, knowing that when I returned the youngest one would have changed so much, but…
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Arrival Reflections
By Joseph Barker (The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia) My first few days in Perth proved equally as hectic as my final weeks in England. Having checked into the Ocean Beach Backpackers Hostel in Cottesloe, I was awestruck by the incredible views the beaches of East Perth offered. Following three days of recovering from jet lag (or relaxing with my fellow backpackers in paradise, to give a more honest appraisal), I had yet more issues to attend to. Setting up a bank account and buying an Australian phone proved simple tasks. Following several unsuccessful house viewings in a variety of Perth’s less desirable suburbs, however, I realized that finding…
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Returning to Manchester
By Megan Hitchock (University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia) I came back to the UK in the middle of August, and after 13 months away from the UK, it was so surreal being home. My last six weeks in Sydney seem like a blur. I spent the time nannying for a 9 month old baby and exploring more of one of the Australian cities I have come to love. By the time my time in Sydney came to an end, I was ready to come home knowing that it hopefully won’t be too long until I’m back on that side of the world. On my return I had a crazy…
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
