UTS Think Global

Winter is Coming

April 14, 2015

From leaving the Sydney summer on a nice 30 degree day to arriving in the snowy, -15 degree Canadian winter the next, this semester has been so different to my usual life back home but that’s what’s made it so amazing.

For the last four months I’ve been living in the uni town of Waterloo and studying at the University of Waterloo. Waterloo is a fairly small town about an hour and a half out of Toronto. The town contains two universities, the prestigious University of Waterloo and the infamous Wilfred Laurier University. With the majority of the town being students, you can always found something to do and people out and about. It’s been great to get a feel of the North American university town vibe.

The University of Waterloo

Before I came to Canada I’d only seen snow twice but now I can definitely say I’ve seen my fair share of it. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been able to experience snowboarding and skiing for the first time, miss class due to a ‘snow day’, had a chance to dive face first into a big pile of snow and have a few good snowball fights with some of the lads. After a while it gets a bit annoying putting on thermals, big boots, a huge jacket and a beanie every time you go outside into the -30 degree weather but I don’t think I’d have had it any other way. It’s all part of the Canadian experience!

I’ve had the opportunity to checkout Montreal and Toronto, two amazing cities, see a half frozen over Niagara Falls, go just south of Buffalo for a bit of skiing, and my favorite of all, spend a week in Cuba over reading week. Reading week in Canada is the equivalent of the US spring break. Staying at a resort along the beautiful beaches of Varadero with all you can eat food and unlimited alcohol, as you can imagine it was a very messy week. Those unlimited drinks were definitely taken advantage of. While I was over here I also celebrated my 21^st birthday. It was a great night filled with a lot of shots, a lot of sculling, a lot of throwing up and some great mates. I’m sure I’ll remember it for years to come.

Cuban cigars on the streets of Havana

This semester has been amazing, the University of Waterloo is great and has awesome facilities, and I’d recommend anyone to travel around and check out Canada. The snows melting and it’s getting into spring and I’m getting excited for the post-semester travelling to come!

Luke Graham
11693342
University of Waterloo

April 14, 2015

From leaving the Sydney summer on a nice 30 degree day to arriving in the snowy, -15 degree Canadian winter the next, this semester has been so different to my usual life back home but that’s what’s made it so amazing.

For the last four months I’ve been living in the uni town of Waterloo and studying at the University of Waterloo. Waterloo is a fairly small town about an hour and a half out of Toronto. The town contains two universities, the prestigious University of Waterloo and the infamous Wilfred Laurier University. With the majority of the town being students, you can always found something to do and people out and about. It’s been great to get a feel of the North American university town vibe.

Before I came to Canada I’d only seen snow twice but now I can definitely say I’ve seen my fair share of it. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been able to experience snowboarding and skiing for the first time, miss class due to a ‘snow day’, had a chance to dive face first into a big pile of snow and have a few good snowball fights with some of the lads. After a while it gets a bit annoying putting on thermals, big boots, a huge jacket and a beanie every time you go outside into the -30 degree weather but I don’t think I’d have had it any other way. It’s all part of the Canadian experience!

I’ve had the opportunity to checkout Montreal and Toronto, two amazing cities, see a half frozen over Niagara Falls, go just south of Buffalo for a bit of skiing, and my favourite of all, spend a week in Cuba over reading week. Reading week in Canada is the equivalent of the US spring break. Staying at a resort along the beautiful beaches of Varadero with all you can eat food and unlimited alcohol, as you can imagine it was a very messy week. Those unlimited drinks were definitely taken advantage of. While I was over here I also celebrated my 21^st birthday. It was a great night filled with a lot of shots, a lot of sculling, a lot of throwing up and some great mates. I’m sure I’ll remember it for years to come.

This semester has been amazing, the University of Waterloo is great and has awesome facilities, and I’d recommend anyone to travel around and check out Canada. The snows melting and it’s getting into spring and I’m getting excited for the post-semester travelling to come!

Luke Graham
11693342
Tristan’s Berlin Exchange

April 12, 2015

My trip to Berlin so far,

With Germany’s late semester start I only recently arrived in Berlin (just about 2 weeks ago now) and have done plenty of exploring and just settling into what will be my home for the next 5 months, with Uni starting this coming week!

Before arriving I was lucky to be able to pack lightly, with Berlin’s Spring

being compared to a mild Sydney Winter’s day.. so of course T-shirts and jeans and a couple of jumpers for just-in-case. However to my surprise the week I arrived Berlin was hit by its worse storm of the year.. with destructive gail forced winds, sub zero temperatures and a constant cycle of snow, then rain, then hail, then snow again. So my first outing in Berlin… off to the shops! After finding the cheapest combo of jackets and H+M I was ready to start my holiday/exchange in Berlin.

The first week I filled with sight seeing adventures, I powering through walking tours in the snow and cycling in the rain, fueled with the adrenaline of a new place. Berlin is an amazing city, its rich and quite incredible history has created a city unlike any other I have visited. The city is divided up into incredibly distinct areas, travelling East you find suburbs which are coloured by its war torn and communist past, while a suburb further will be filled with modern buildings filled with the latest technology and industries.

While I have had a great time exploring Berlin I am now ready to begin University, looking forward to a bit more structure to the week and opportunity to meet local Berliners and other International students. My accomdation shocked me a little bit when I first arrived, with the common rooms of the housing being empty roooms with broken windows, so there has been little opportunity to meet other student’s so far, however have come to meet a few other exchange students in Berlin who have been great company on our Berlin adventures.

Anyway.. My exchange has only just begun, so I am sure there will be more stories to come!
Tristan.
BANGKOK EXCHANGE King Mongkutt’s University of Technology

April 10, 2015

How did the Thailand study experience fit into your degree?

I travelled to Thailand for the final part of my Master’s of Architecture, including the last design
studio and a core subject called ‘The City’ which analyses aspects of the urban environment. I
saw the opportunity to travel and study in Bangkok as a chance to research the distinctly
different fabric of the Asian city, and try to unravel and understand some of it’s architectural and
urban planning complexities. In particular the rapid growth and expansion of Bangkok
Metropolitan Area and the established informal/slum communities that dwell at the edge of the
river.

My time in Bangkok gave me a new scope of exploration and exposure to local mentoring
and attitudes which was genuinely different from learning something from afar. My semester
away has given my degree and my life a completely new appreciation for the cultural and spatial
differences of Thailand. 6 months was just a start, I know I will be back there again. I hope to
continue my study into the fabric of Asian cities and bring this understanding into new ways of
approaching urban issues in Sydney.
Describe your experience of studying in Thailand as part of the ATI’s Discover Thailand
scholarships program? What did you study, where did you study etc?

Bangkok is an endlessly fascinating and contradictory place. I don’t assume to understand it in
the way a native Thai speaker can but for me, as an outsider, it intensifies the differences from
my western life experiences. Prior to my stay in Bangkok I had never been to an Asian country
before so my immersion in the richness of Thai culture was an unforgettable experience.
My semsester in Bangkok at King Mongkutt’s University of Technology was very educational in
more ways than I could have imagined.

How did you find integrating in the local community and interaction with Thai students?

I found that my home address was very important to my integration with local culture. I was
firstly under the impression that I was to study at the Thonburi campus of the university but
when I arrived I was told that I would have better access to the postgraduate staff members at
their campus called SOAD in Surasak. I must admit that finding accommodation to my liking
and within budget was difficult considering the language gap in a new city and the intended
duration of my stay. Also, my first experience of house hunting in bangkok was utter confusion
(and academic delight) about the street (or soi) systems. So, I was constantly lost and making
friends on the street to help find my destinations. The apartment I ended up staying in was a 5
minute walk from campus but was out of the way to tourists. Down some labyrinthine alleyways
my new neighbourhood was a enclave of Thai families which was exactly the vibe I was looking
for. Unlike some exchange students perhaps I was seeking to imbed myself in Thai culture
behind the veil of glitz and tourism. The lovely and helpful building manager became such a
source for me. She was kind and helpful without end (so happy to recommend BaanRim
Sathorn Apartments to anyone travelling to BKK).

As I was not on the main campus I didn’t have the chance to interact with a huge array of
students.I was surprised by how many international students there were at KMUTT although no
other exchange students. THe local students were very friendly and helpful to me in all my
newness and a couple of them I would consider friends. I was delighted by the quality of work
and commitment in my design studio and by the intelligence of the mentoring staff. I gained so
much insight and started to understand the attitudes of Thai people to their city and various
socio economic divides in a way I never could if not for them. Language was sometimes an
issue but the classes were indeed in english. I am a few years older than the majority of
students at KMUTT and I was not their to have raucous on campus life so I felt I found a happy
medium of friendly and collaborative class time and private study. I discovered an amazing
library in Phrom Pong as part of the Thailand Creative Design Centre http://www.tcdc.or.th/
which had international exhibitions and very high quality arts and architecture library, also thai
cultural herigate – in english! This was an absolute lifesaver as a resource and it became my
second living room. I met quite a few Thai designers and architects who used the space for
meetings so I felt like I was more connected to the contemporary Thai design industry than
when in the classroom.

I also developed quite a good repore with my mentor Ajahn Pong who guided me through my
research project. He was not on campus but was available via email anytime. His specialised
knowledge and jovial approach was always appreciated because as with large research tasks
its very easy to go too broad and loose clarity, he helped with that.

What would you say to other Australian students about your experience of studying in Thailand?
Would you recommend studying in Thailand and how will you use your experience in Thailand in
future?

My experience in Thailand was definitely something I would recommend to others.
I think travelling to Asia can be a less popular option for Australian students because of the
language / cultural barrier and it must be said that European universities offer an institutional
prestige that Asian cities are still growing. I stand against that. I believe that is far more
burgeoning and dynamic, there is a positivity to and open mindedness to what can be achieved
there that I had not experienced anywhere else. There is an inherent creativity and
resourcefulness that filters into all aspects of life and nurtures innovation. The education
system is different but the academics are just as valuable. Day to day life is far more vibrant and
unpredictable, you can really do anything in Bangkok. The food is spectacular and behind the
tourism there is a beautiful soul to Thailand.
What are some of your best memories from your time studying in Thailand?

I have many fond and little memories from my time in Thailand. Most frequently I remember all
the delicious food I was eating! And the general relaxed vibe of the city. I miss the way the
streets changed throughout the day with stalls and people, kids and dogs.
Some stand out moments were when I travelled north for Loi Krathong which is a
‘Loy Krathong Day is one of the most popular festivals of Thailand celebrated annually on the
Full-Moon Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as
the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country.
The word “Loy” means “to float”, and “Krathong” means lotus-shaped vessel made of banana
leaves. Loy Krathong is, therefore the floating of an illuminated leaf bowl. But nowadays some
krathongs are made of coloured paper. A krathong usually contains a candle, three joss sticks,
some flowers and coins. The history of Loy Krathong Festival is slightly obscure. First, it is to
ask for apology from the water goddess for having used and sometimes made rivers and canals
dirty. Second, it is to offer flowers, candles and joss sticks as a tribute to the footprint of Lord
Buddha on the sandy beach of the Nammatha River in India. Third, it is to show gratitude to the
Phra Mae Kong Ka or Mother of Water. Fourth, it is to wash away the previous year’s
misfortunes.’(1)

It was a time of huge celebration and fireworks which lasted almost a week, with street markets
and general party making by the rivers edge; Thai people really know how to have fun! So it was
a great event to be a part of. The spiritual aspect of daily life in Thailand was a marvel to me and
the big event on the night of the full moon was so lovely, with Krathongs floating down the river in
their thousands and hot air paper balloons filling the sky with soft illumination.

What were the best aspects of studying in Thailand and what aspects were the most difficult?

The most difficult aspects of studying in Thailand were perhaps to be expected. There is a very
different mode of practice in my home and host university and in the beginning I think I was quite
unforgiving, trying to get to the bottom of my enrolment. I didn’t have the patience and trust that
everything would work out in time.
I was coming from a very western perspective and I found it difficult to not impose my
expectations. Having said that KMUTT were very helpful and eventually we found a place that
satisfied my and their requirements but the course structures are fundamentally different and I
didn’t have any flexibility in which subjects I needed to complete overseas so I didn’t make it
easy on them. Also, it was unusual that I was a Master’s Student so equivalents were tricky to
find. Now that I understand how it all goes together and runs I would be more than happy to help
consult exchange students through the enrolment and orientation process.

Do you have any suggestions for improving the program or ideas that would encourage others to
study in Thailand?

I am very grateful for my grant to help costs involved in studying in Thailand, it gave me the
opportunity to travel in Thailand and get a much more rounded view of life in and out of the big
city. To understand it’s heritage and natural wonders. I will have to have a further think about
ways to improve the exchange program for Australians to venture to Thailand. There is a
somewhat out of date image of Thailand out there in people’s minds. I understand it is difficult
maybe because Bangkok is such a holiday destination it doesn’t have the appeal long term. I
know that the Thai government has been working on rebranding the nation and I suppose that
will all filter through slowly. I was so happily surprised to experience a truly contemporary thai
culture growing in Bangkok. There’s a thriving arts community and also the coffee/cafe culture is
getting quite serious. It’s growing and changing as the youth are creating their own layer to the
city which is wanting to be Thai, but also international. It’s far cooler than ‘The Hangover’ and
package holiday deals.

GEORGIA HERBERT
Six things exchange students from UTS to City University of Hong Kong will understand

April 9, 2015
1. The easy application process
It really is incredibly easy! The most difficult part is being organised enough to know a year in advance that you want to go on exchange, and then finding out when the information sessions are. This level of organisation turns out for the best though because it means you’ve got lots of time to start saving.
1. Living on campus
CityU has a number of student residence halls, although exchange students aren’t guaranteed a place. I was lucky enough to get allocated a room, and a very rare single room at that (most rooms sleep two people). Living on campus is incredibly convenient – wake up, roll out of bed, five minute walk to class – perfect! That being said, it’s very little like living on campus in Australia. For instance, there’s a strictly applied curfew (no guests, including people from other halls, between midnight and 8AM) and as there are no bars on campus it’s not as much of a party atmosphere. Despite this, many students seem to stay up all night, and view lectures as an opportunity to catch up on lost sleep.
1. The grading system
Marks here aren’t given in numbers but in letters (A+, A, B etc.) While the exchange might be pass/fail, it would still be nice if I could understand how well (or not) I was doing…
1. Hiking
Hiking is an incredibly popular pastime in Hong Kong. Although when most people think of Hong Kong they think of dense, high rise buildings but only 30% of Hong Kong’s land has been built on. That means there’s a lot of countryside to explore. Pro tip: choose a hiking trail that ends on one of Hong Kong’s many pretty beaches.
1. Shopping
This is really what Hong Kong is famous for, and with good reason. It’s unavoidable – almost every MTR station has a shopping centre above it, and it’s a rare trip out when you don’t walk through a shopping centre at least once.
1. Wednesdays
Every Wednesday night for most of the year there are horse races on at Happy Valley. Forget your suit, dress or fascinator – these races are all about having fun and actually watching the racing, not about dressing up to see and be seen. Go along, have a flutter, and when the races finish at 11 jump on a tram and head to Wan Chai, where ladies drink for free on Wednesday nights.

– Laura
Technical University of Eindhoven

April 8, 2015

Hi there!

My name is Jason and I am currently 3 months into my exchange at the Technical University of Eindhoven in the Netherlands. I am studying my Masters of Architecture and in my final year of study.

EINDHOVEN? I’VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH PLACE!

Eindhoven is a small city in the South of the Netherlands about an hour and a half away from the border of Germany and Belgium. The city is designed much like Paris in that the main core of the city is enclosed by a ring highway. Inside the ring is where you will most of the city life and everything that lies beyond is bulk of the suburban areas. I found out very quickly that while Eindhoven is quite small, the place really packs quite a punch in terms of student life and city culture.

LET’S GET AROUND

First things first, you have to get a bike. Biking is a central part of Dutch culture and it is the number one way to get around the city. Everyone rides a bike, I have seen grandmothers, students and children that do not look like they are old enough to walk ride a bike. With a bike you will be able to cover the city centre from end to end in about 30-40 minutes – it is good exercise and if you have an itch to explore you will be sure to find some really beautiful places (Hint: Dusk is a great time to go on a cycle, especially in the south).

STRATUM – THE PLACE TO BE

The core of the culture in Eindhoven lies in a strip called Stratum. If the records books serve me well, I believe that this infamous strip breaks the record for having the most bars, clubs and restaurants on the same street in Europe with the count at 68. Stratum really lights up as Eindhoven’s festival centre during Carnaval, a festival where the whole town dresses up and parties for 4 days straight much like the Venetian ‘Carnavale’. It happens usually around mid-February and is a lead in to the Catholic tradition of Lent. It can be quite strange for foreigners but Dutch are a friendly bunch and will make sure you feel at home.

RANDOM THINGS I HAVE OBSERVED ABOUT THE DUTCH

– The Dutch love cheese sandwiches and ham sandwiches

– There are ‘hot food’ vending machines in the city centre

– There is an obsession with the colour orange

– They love their markets

– Mayonnaise and fries are a thing here (It is actually ridiculously good)

TU/e

The University itself is quite large and located in the centre of city, really good if you are after a true campus experience. As a student, there are a lot of facilities such as a large sports centre, the black light cinema, hairdressers, numerous cafeterias located around campus and bars for each faculty to name a few. Most buildings on campus are connected to each other via a sky bridge located on the first floor which becomes useful for when it gets really cold and windy. The campus also has a large area of green space and a river that runs through it.

TU/e ARCHITECTURE

The architecture department is quite big here and encompasses other built environment subjects like urban design and structural design so you get a good mix of students. There are pretty good facilities here and they tend to enforce a more workshop culture. Their workshop is quite extensive in the equipment they have and is open all day to all students. Materials are cheap and so is printing. The teaching is quite different to UTS but I find it to be quite a nice change up.

MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

A unique thing happens on exchange is that while you become immersed in the culture of your host country; you also gain incredible insight into other countries through your interaction with other international students that you meet. For me this insight happened through my flatmates. I live with a girl from Istanbul and a guy from Singapore and through our daily interactions I have learned so much about their respective countries from the political conditions, the food and all the idiosyncrasies that make their country unique. It’s a real eye opener and you end up really appreciating the diversity of the world around you. We do a lot of cooking together because compared to Australia; groceries are an absolute steal here. It is also good way to get to know each other whilst keeping healthy…who said students can’t cook?

Jason Tran

11015981
Hong Kong Style!

April 8, 2015

So I’ve been in Hong Kong for 3 months now and wow… what a city. Choosing to go on exchange in Hong Kong was a good choice for me because I’ve met many people and learnt so many things that I can take back with me as precious memories that I wouldn’t forget for a long time to come. The objective I set for myself whilst on exchange was to embark on a journey of self-discovery – and I believe that it has enriched my understanding of life.

Accommodation

The most important thing before leaving to Hong Kong is to make sure that accommodation is arranged. I recommend you to arrive a few days prior to the start of the semester as these few days you can take the opportunity to settle in to the new place as well as purchasing necessities without feeling rushed.

My room and the view

Every floor shares a common area including a kitchen if you wish to cook instead of eating out.

I’ve been told that Hong Kong is a city that never sleeps. It’s fairly accurate; students are still awake after 3am making noise and having fun, which can be annoying when trying to sleep.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

Located in Hung Hom, the campus is pretty big with a theme colour of reddish-brown and I had fun getting lost and exploring. Buildings are differentiated by letters of the alphabet rather than numbers. The first few days in the start of the academic semester was pretty daunting not knowing what to expect from a new university, but honestly, assignments, examinations and teaching manner and environment is very much similar to UTS. Study and workload will depend on how many subjects are taken (I took 4). The maximum amount of subjects that could be undertaken in a semester here was 7. I was so shocked when I found out about this, 7 subjects a semester was the norm and I was amazed at how hard working the students here in PolyU were. The students I’ve noticed were more shy and reserved which I felt that I could develop better connections.

Lifestyle & Culture

There are so many differences between Hong Kong and Australia. I felt overwhelmed at just how fast-paced Hong Kong life is. Imagine everything you see being played out at 1.25x normal speed; that is what Hong Kong feels like. Main forms of public transport is MTR, buses as well as ferries.

MTR – This isn’t even peak time!

Despite Hong Kong being so population dense and crowded, people still form a queue and line up on the right of the escalator whilst the people in a hurry will take the left side. Hong Kong is different in that it is partly Westernized and hence you can experience the best of both cultures and lifestyles.

Mong Kok

Food

Food Food Food… where to begin…

Price of food here usually depends on its location as well as the type of food. Cheap food can be found in the street (also known as street food) or the campus’ canteen (student prices = cheap cheap cheap). Below is an image of the campus’ YumCha. It costs $8HKD per dish after 2pm, yeah you read that correctly, $8.

YumCha!!!

My favourite dessert in Hong Kong – Mango Pomelo Sago

Popular tourist locations will typically be more pricey (e.g. say an Italian pub located in Central district). Now some restaurants will have their menu in English, but if you prefer to try the local flavour, it’s best to bring someone along with you who can read Chinese as the menus sometimes will not have English! Most restaurants will not close until 10pm-12am, so me and a couple of friends went go down and walk a few minutes for a quick pre-midnight feed.

Hong Kong

Despite its air pollution and fog, to say Hong Kong is a gorgeous city would be an understatement. Its city and harbour view at night in Tsim Sha Tsui promenade is spectacular with its vibrant colours. The promenade stretches out to the “Avenue of Stars” and it’s the perfect place to exercise and jog. Me and my roommate would jog there a couple times a week and you would see other joggers at any time of the day. (yes, even midnight).

What a view!

The famous “Victoria Peak” is no joke. You can practically see the entirety of Hong Kong from this point and it is absolutely beautiful. The only downside was the queuing times to board the tram (30-45min wait). But was it worth it…? You bet it was!

Victoria Peak

Another popular activity in Hong Kong is hiking. There are many great hikes and getting away from stressful city life to spend some time to witness nature’s beauty is breathtaking (literally… because it can be very tiring). Make sure you bring water, snacks and appropriate sportswear because there will be lots of walking involved.

…breathtaking…

Hong Kong has so much to offer, if you are like me and want to try something new, I would definitely recommend you to travel here. It’s no wonder why Hong Kong is one of the best cities in the world and I will be upset when I leave this place, not just because of the place but because of the amazing friends that I’ve made while on this journey. You really have to cherish every moment you have here because time flies super quickly. But this will not be the end; this is only the beginning.

Kent Chung Adrian Tam – 11442973
HI from Shanghai!

April 7, 2015

Since living in Shanghai for just a little over a month, I feel like I’ve found my new home away from Sydney. At first, the idea of being in a foreign city for a year seemed daunting with only limited Mandarin to get me by. Even arriving at Shanghai’s Pudong airport, I felt disorientated by the rush of people, pushing and shoving, trying to catch taxis in the thundering rain.

However after a good night’s sleep, I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed! Despite taking almost half an hour to find my way out of the Tongji University campus, I discovered this hidden gem that serves to be a sanctuary for students, residents and even the campus cats of Tongji University. It was at this very moment that I realised that I was going to be living in Shanghai for the rest of the year and there will be many more gems for me to discover in the coming months.

Sanctuary at Tongji for students, tutors and nearby residents

Even a sanctuary for the campus cats!

For future references, the familiar face of Mao at the main entrance to Tongji University means you’ve managed to escape this University’s enormous campus! (Yay!)

Warm welcome from Mao at the main entrance to Tongji University

As the weeks went by, I became more familiar with my surroundings, meeting other exchange students from all around the world (Italy, Germany, America, Congo, Poland and Ecuador to name a few!), who were going through (or have gone through) the same surreal and overwhelming experience of adjusting to Shanghai’s fast-paced lifestyle.

Tongji University is also famous for their Cherry Blossoms blooming in Spring (Imagine walking through this street every morning to class!)

But what is it that I’ve realised so far, that differentiates Shanghai from Sydney?

Shanghai’s public transportation is super convenient and fool-proof! (Shanghai’s transportation card, much like Sydney’s Opal card, can be used on the subway, buses, taxis and even in convenient stores at the subway stations to buy food!) Trips to supermarkets, downtown Shanghai, main tourist attractions and various museums can be reached in a matter of minutes!

Being able to order and find street food 24/7 regardless if there is torrential rain! (And most will cost less than $5AUD! Only problem is recognising Chinese characters and having to use Pleco to translate!)

Street food vendors at night – what’s for dinner?

Wide selection of food available in the food courts in Yuyuan

Being able to order literally anything I want (food, drinks, appliances and clothes) and have it be delivered to my doorsteps! (With a delivery fee of less than a $5AUD – yes, even delivering a microwave!).

Sea of packages at Tongji University

The amazing sights that Shanghai has to offer (during the day and night!)

The famous ‘Nine Zig-Zag’ bridge in Yuyuan

The night skyline of Shanghai from a friend’s apartment

And the convenience of travelling to other provinces and cities (Sichuan, Tibet, Guangzhou) or countries (Japan, Philippines and now, North Korea!) from Shanghai.

With only language so far being a barrier to exploring Shanghai in more-depth, I cannot wait to see more of what Shanghai and China has to offer!

Jasmine Chen 11433339
Yonsei University: Seoul

April 7, 2015

Seoul, South Korea may be known for being quite Westernised (especially with it’s reputation as a tourist destination) but it is as far from Australia as I could have imagined. Many people, especially those who have an online based knowledge of Korean culture and language will find themselves surprised when they actually arrive. It is nothing like the television shows, but perhaps that is for the better. Seoul is a city that is best experienced by those with a genuine interest in the culture and one should never assume expertise unless you have lived here previously. The language, culture and society is vastly different to what the bloggers tell us and it is intricate, complicated and strict.

We are not in Kansas anymore.

About the City

Seoul is a city of contrast; on one hand, it is highly commercialised with large billboard advertisements, flashing lights and sales people screaming about discounts. On the other, it is still clinging to its history and culture with entire areas dedicated to traditional villages, art and independent Korean designers/artists. Coming from Sydney where historical sites are fairly sparse, it is experiencing this culture that will make the trip worth it. Don’t be afraid to try new foods, jump at opportunities to explore and live life like the locals. Also, bring a camera.

Transport

The transportation system is Seoul is extremely reliable and affordable, meaning that fewer people actually drive here. If you are travelling in the nearby areas, you are looking at around 1,050 won on the train (the equivalent of approximately $1.20). However, people usually use T-Money cards so ensure that you get one of those or, if you are officially a Yonsei Student, then you can use your student card for that. It is also possible to pay for things like cabs with the same card.

There are no student rates for transportation – not that you would need it. Trains are generally five minutes apart, ten at maximum, so you’ll be absolutely spoilt here. Train stations are read out in English, but having basic knowledge of Hangul would definitely be beneficial.

Accomodation

Before you go to Seoul, it would be best to look up where you will be staying. I’m told that it’s not too big a problem if you figure it out once you’re here too (since there are Goshiwons everywhere) but I still think that it is safest to book in beforehand. I came to Seoul three weeks in advance, which I definitely recommend, and booked into a Guest House online. Don’t expect too much from these places because housing is expensive in Seoul and many places are small and cramped. Your main concern, really, is to ensure that it is clean with good security. You’ll spend most of your time outside, anyway.

Shopping/Restaurants

Shopping in Seoul can be either very cheap or very expensive, so it is definitely up to you. Areas around the universities (Sinchon, Edae, Hongdae) are very affordable while the upper end areas like Gangnam or Apgujeong can be more expensive. If you are a girl and wanting to buy clothes, like myself, then you should be shopping around. Many of these stores sell the same things from the same Dongdaemun wholesaler, so you can usually find things again. Also, a lot of people talk about haggling in Korea and I just want to say that you should only do this moderately and in certain establishments. Many sales people will give foreigners a higher quote so don’t be afraid to just walk away or show your objections (politely). If they are rude to you, just walk away.

For restaurants, things work differently to in Sydney. 95% of these establishments will have free water that you have to get yourself and chopsticks/spoons are located in a small drawer attached to the table. In some, they will bring you kimchi or you will be getting your own. I feel that, in Sydney, waiters/waitresses are expected to serve but in Korea, the general consensus is that you are a patron, but they are not ‘lower’ than the customer. Generally, no one will ever be rude though.

Food is often sweeter than they are in Western countries so look forward to sweet sandwiches, super sweet toast desserts, and even sweet salted popcorn. Fusion food is generally huge here but you’ll be finding some pretty creative combinations.

(Don’t be afraid to try these. Just do it.)

A lot of these restaurants also deliver and the service is approximately a million times better than it is in Australia. While you can get pizza, you can also get noodles, rice dishes, Korean fried chicken, snacks.. McDonalds delivers as well. All of these services are very reliable but most will need some knowledge of Korean language so you’ll need to ask someone to help you out.

People/Life Style

A lot of people talk about Korea being the most polite country ever and, while I would never generalise an entire population, I have to say that the idea of politeness and formality is very different to Westernised society. Many people will charge through streets without care for the people around them and, if they bump into you, they won’t stop to apologise unless they’ve seriously knocked the wind out of you.

These are just differences in culture and society though so you don’t need to be offended by this. If anything, I think that you will just gradually get used to it.

About Yonsei University

Yonsei University is known as one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea (accompanied with Seoul National Univ and Korea Univ, they make up the SKY Universities) so you should definitely be proud of being here. For many Koreans, they will actually approach or treat you differently if they know you’re from Yonsei as well, so it’s definitely a quirk. They’re very big on school pride here, so you’ll be seeing a lot of varsity jackets, school chants and events.

The Yonsei University system is very strict on attendance and deadlines, so make sure that everything is submitted on time and find out from your professor how many classes you can miss. If you go over that, it’s an automatic fail, irregardless of circumstances. I’m told that everything is recorded digitally, so even the professors don’t have the power to fix that afterwards. A lot of assignment submissions are also done online through their YSCEC portal, so you need to hit that deadline on the hour.

When you’re choosing subject, make sure that they are offered in English and on the right campus. Yonsei University has two campuses (the other is the International Campus) and since it is too far away and not very feasible for students, they don’t allow us to attend them. Subject selection is also a very competitive process so, once you receive instruction son how to enrol, wake up in advance and list your courses in order of priority and the number of seats available. Also, have back up subjects selected and click like a mad man. Definitely don’t leave this to last minute or you’ll regret it.

Conclusively

Seoul is extremely different to Sydney and that is exactly why I love it so much. Although I had confusions to begin with, I became accustomed after meeting more local students, discussing their culture and starting to properly learn their language. Although I had been warned about experiencing culture shock while I was here, I’ve yet to have any problems with that. My taste buds have been adapted to the Korean style, so I have a feeling that I will actually experience shock when I’m forced to return home.

However, living in Seoul has taught me both reasons why I want to stay in this city and reasons why I don’t. Unlike viewing everything through a computer monitor, there are no colour filters and scripts to make things rosier. I think that people have to learn to accept the country for what it is – good, bad and the different. It’s the same everywhere, really, but a lot of people seem to come here with romanticised expectations.

The city is massive and, since it’s so different to home, there’s a lot to see and do. University work loads can get quite intense here, meaning that it’s almost impossible to go sightseeing during the week, so it’s best to do that beforehand. I went to see the traditional houses, museums, palaces, galleries, design buildings and to the markets – things that you definitely should not neglect. You’ll be walking a lot, especially because Korea is quite a mountainous country (even in the cities), so bring your comfortable shoes!

Staying at the university’s dorm is also a good idea, although it’s a long distance from the main classrooms. It’s helpful to have friends who will go out and experience things with you – even when it’s a late night trip to the convenience store. Having friends also keeps you grounded and, really, I think that this is the main reason that I’ve yet to have any shock.

I would highly recommend Seoul and Yonsei University to any UTS students. It’s such an eye opening experience and so different to the Sydney lifestyle that it would be silly to miss.

Written by Stella Thai [ 11723525 ]
Waterloo? Canada

April 7, 2015

My university exchange started prematurely with a week in New York City over New Year’s Eve. It was a truly remarkable experience wandering the streets of the Big Apple and the atmosphere of New Year’s Eve, front and centre in Times Square, is something I will never forget. If you’re going on exchange on the east coast of Canada, NYC is definitely not a bad detour.

New Year’s Eve: Times Square moments after the ball drop

Moving on to my Canadian exchange, the University of Waterloo is located in a tri-city of about 500,000 people which has a very strong focus on university culture and tech-heavy industries. My first experience arriving in Waterloo was also something I won’t forget anytime soon.

I was dropped outside of my residence at 10 o’clock on a Saturday night in -20 degree snow with no money, no phone, no keys and no idea of what on earth I was doing in this wretched place! However, quick thinking and some well-placed snowballs thrown at some completely random bedroom windows allowed me to gain access to what would be my new home for the next 4 months.

The View from my Bedroom Window

Despite my small success, things still weren’t entirely looking up once we hit the town of Waterloo. Waiting in the line for a club for an hour and a half in a windy -35 degrees Celsius on one of my first nights in Canada is something I don’t think I could ever get used to! Standing there with my mates, watching each other’s hair start to freeze and their faces turn a pale blue, was as equally humorous as it was torturous. However, things started to look up when I opened my mouth and spoke.

“Oh My God! I love British accents!” which I’d reply, “oh really? Me too…”

After some puzzled looks and whispering amongst the Canadians I’d quickly spill the beans and to their delight, announce that I was in fact Australian.

Their reception of me was fairly typical of what I had heard from other Australians abroad and consequently, was an enjoyable culture shock. Not only were they incredibly intrigued by Australians, the locals were also very hospitable towards us. This made the transition into Canadian culture so much easier. It should also be noted that some of the Canadian girls displayed, what can only be described as, uncontrollable excitement towards anything Australian. Gentlemen, be warned. You should always be armed with an Australian driver’s licence to prove your authenticity!

In regards to the University of Waterloo, its attendants take their studies very seriously. The culture on campus can be described as very studious and competitive, however, there are also strong vibes of success and innovation, particularly in the areas of engineering, science and IT. If this doesn’t sound like you don’t despair, there are plenty of fun electives to choose from, free sporting facilities to take advantage of and the other universities within the area combine to make the night life a buzz. I personally recommend taking advantage of the free gym and joining the Skiing and Snowboarding society to enjoy the Canadian slopes at a discount.

Reading week, essentially the Canadian version of spring break, was one of the craziest weeks of my life. It basically involved the congregation of Canadian university students in beach resorts in Cuba, fuelled by unlimited food and drinks. This experience is hardwired into Canadian university tradition and culture, with Cuba and Mexico being the prime destinations. It cannot and should not be missed!

A Cuban Beach with the Aussie Waterloo boys

Overall, as my University Exchange comes to an end, I can honestly say it has been the best experience of my life thus far. The beer may be watery and the weather is every bit as cold as you can possibly imagine, but the Canadian people are simply wonderful and the scenery is so incredibly beautiful that I can do nothing but highly recommend Waterloo and Canada for a semester abroad.

Montreal with the Crew

– William McRae

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