Deakin University

Deakin University has quickly become a second home to me during my time here. The 8,000-mile journey made me nervous but was quickly calmed after arriving on campus for the first time. The people I have met at this school have become study buddies, travel buddies, and ultimately, lifelong friends. The classes have challenged me as a student but have been some of the best that I have taken in my overall college courses. They have opened up topics in different perspectives and have created many new skills that I get to take home with me. Having the chance to explore Australia has been a dream and weekends and the inter-trimester breaks were the perfect times to explore the surrounding areas. Melbourne itself has lots to offer and I couldn’t have picked a better place to live for my study abroad experience. It is truly something exciting seeing a kangaroo for the very first time.

I have made so many new friends for life while still being able to travel and take units that fit my course perfectly. Deakin has helped make the transition into this university seamless. The faculty is always ready to help in whatever way they can, and the students are extremely friendly and welcoming. This study abroad experience has made me much more independent and responsible. Studying abroad has also really helped me get out of my comfort zone and try new things, which has been good for me and really helped me grow. Living in Melbourne and traveling around Australia has really helped expand my world view by experiencing a culture that is incredibly different and unique from my home. It has made me appreciate things about my home but also ignited my curiosity and made me want to explore as much as possible. This trimester at Deakin has also made me want to continue learning whenever I can throughout my life and my future travels. This trimester has been one of the best times of my life and I am so glad that I came to Deakin.

Studying abroad in Australia has been the most extraordinary and life-changing event in my life thus far. While it may at first sound daunting, the opportunity to study in a different country is an amazing one. The education I have received thus far at Deakin University has not only been classroom-based, but has provided me with valuable real-world knowledge as well. Living in a different country halfway across the world has been an amazing way to immerse myself and learn about a different culture firsthand. I know that travelling and going to university here in Australia will continue to benefit me and provide me with invaluable experiences in the future.

It has been amazing from start to finish. Starting with the picturesque trip that was orientation and at the end having met amazing people from all over the world. This experience made me explore outside of my comfort zone and explore a different culture, country and way of life. The classroom experiences at Deakin were interactive and friendly. If I ever needed assistance, assistance was readily available from fellow students and staff. It’s a cooperative community. Being in Human Resources Management, this experience made me see various aspects of the field I am studying. It taught me many different strategic approaches as well as the differences in legal systems. Overall, Deakin takes in international students with open arms. They gave us guidance and helped us build bonds that cannot be forgotten and friendships that are forever lasting.

It was quite an adventure and I learned so much! It was great to be in class with students from other countries, my eyes were opened to how people do things differently. It was also great getting to live with students from other countries. I never felt scared because we were all in the same boat and could help each other out. Every experience was amazing! I learned about so many cultures and different ways of life! I would recommend Deakin to anyone! Everyone was so friendly and I loved every second! I will remember this experience for the rest of my life!

My favourite part of my Deakin experience was the welcome week held in Lorne. We mountain biked on the beach and learned how to surf! During this time, we met so many other international students, and everyone seemed to bond really well. The Burwood Campus is also the perfect size for transitioning to a different country. It is small enough where you don’t become overwhelmed or lost, and there were always friendly staff to answer questions. The cafés located around campus have great vibes, great coffee, and good food. My favourite café was Caffeine, to grab a cup of coffee then sit at their computers to do homework in their vibrant atmosphere.

During my time at Deakin, I have grown more as a person than I ever expected, and have a new appreciation for all different cultures and countries.

I got to participate in unforgettable events. I have met so many cool people, and the friendships I have made along the way and the memories we all share are something I will cherish the rest of my life.

Studying at Deakin University was one of my best academic experiences. All the units I took were really interesting and the teachers were so committed to their teaching.

What I liked about Deakin is that I had classes two days a week, so I had time to go exploring. I also got to meet a lot of people on campus, as well as a lot of international students. I made a really good group of friends to travel with and explore the whole country.

I’ve seen the country’s many great places: from the Great Barrier Reef to the Great Ocean Road, and everything in between. Truly, there is no place quite like it. And studying at Deakin gave me the chance to grow as a person and broaden my knowledge. I’ve learnt to adapt to new situations and have gained a new perspective of the world.

I’ve had the dream of studying abroad from when I was a child, and I achieved it when I came to Australia. Being here has been an amazing experience and it has opened my mind. The environment at Deakin is the best I’ve ever experienced! Deakin provides well-motivated classes, a high-quality education, an efficient teaching system, and pleasant study places. Professors and staff at Deakin are also very nice. They are always helpful and welcoming towards international students. Here in Melbourne, it is such a beautiful place to live and travel! You can enjoy each day in a different place. I have been to many places in Victoria, such as Phillip Island, the Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula, and many places in Melbourne. Victoria is such a beautiful place which has an amazing central city, historical architecture, nature, beautiful beaches, and beautiful outback....everything!

I loved living in Australia because of the many friendly people I met and a lot of nice places I visited while studying abroad at Deakin. Living on campus was one of the best decisions I made. The apartments are modern and the staff are helpful. Another recommendation is the free Mentor Program where you get a mentor who helps you with all your questions and issues. The end-of-program party with all the other mentees and mentors was amazing!

There isn't one moment I ever regret going to Australia... I honestly was filling out a new visa to just stay and live there after my program finished. This is an experience I recommend to everyone because of the adventures and education it gave me. For the education portion of it, Deakin University was absolutely amazing. I love how it differs from the American system because they dive head first into what your major is instead of dilly dallying with general education classes. The professors love what they do and are very welcoming of the students from overseas. The program through the school even offered other trips so you could experience more adventures such as The Great Ocean Road. Now for the fun stuff!... Melbourne is hands down one of the most amazing places I have ever been to/ lived. It is one of the most diverse places in the world and the place to be if you are a foodie. Any type of food you want, you can find it there and it's to die for. The people are really nice and curious of your travels. The public transportation system is wonderful... you could hop on and head over to the beach or go another way and go on a beautiful hike. Melbourne really does has everything. I personally wanted to be fully immersed so I decided to find my own roommates from Australia. They taught me so much about the Aussie way of life and 2 of them are actually going to be in my wedding. If you are considering Australia then I would absolutely 100% say stop thinking and just sign up because it will be some of the most amazing times of your life!!!

Studying abroad was the best 4 months of my life. I don't say that lightly because I've had a lot of amazing experiences throughout the years, but living in Australia by far, outshone them all. I adapted to the new lifestyle and culture almost immediately- within 2 weeks of moving there, Melbourne started to feel like home. It's a very artistic and cultural city, which falls in line with my being a designer/photographer. This city was exploding with chances for exploration and inspiration. I was able to dabble in street art for example, on Hosier Lane, where that type of artistic expression is legal. I met people from all walks of life, both within my study abroad program, and from Australia, as well as backpackers in all of the hostels I stayed in throughout my many travels. This experience changed me from the inside out in a way that's difficult to explain- I'm more relaxed now, perhaps due to the laid back Aussie lifestyle, but at the same time, I'm more motivated than ever to do more, see more, live more, and be more. It's given me an international platform to view the world from, and friends from all over the globe to view it with me.