Full name of host university: Curtin University of Technology
City, Country: Perth, Australia
Homepage of the host university: www.curtin.edu.au
Author of the field report: Andreas Dowe
Degree programme at FH Aachen: Master Product Development, Faculty 8
Start and end of stay abroad: 04.07.2011 - 23.11.2011
The semester abroad took place in: 3rd semester
Assessments
Quality of the programme content: 2,0
Study conditions / facilities at the host university: 1.3
On-site support and assistance: 1.3
Campus: 1.0
Transport links to the campus: 2.0
Food on campus (dining hall (Mensa), etc.): 2,0
Sports facilities: 1.7
Leisure activities: 2.0
Bars / discos / nightlife: 2.0
Quality / cost of living: 3.0
Contact with locals: 2.3
Preparations
When did you start the preparations? About 1 year before departure.
How does the application process work and what documents are required? Application for a place at university via an application form from Curtin University (available from the Department of International Affairs). Required documents: Student Application Form Outgoing of FH Aachen, Transcript of Records, DAAD language certificate, letter of motivation in English, CV in English, Learning Agreement and course list with intended courses at Curtin University.
Does the host university require a language test? Yes, the DAAD language test.
Useful tips or further information on preparation: Lesson times and classes can be arranged online after successful acceptance.
Formalities
Do I have to pay fees at the host university? None as an exchange student, as a study abroad student 10,900AUD.
Did you receive a scholarship to finance your stay abroad? Yes, the PROMOS scholarship from FH Aachen or the DAAD.
How do you recommend travelling to the host university? What are the approximate travelling costs? Flight, return flight approx. 1000€.
Did you have to take out additional health insurance? Yes, OSHC-Worldcare (compulsory health insurance for students in Australia and a requirement for student visa applications), costs: 210AUD for 6 months. The OSHC-Worldcare health insurance is only valid with a student visa, not with a tourist visa. The health insurance could therefore expire if you change your student visa to a tourist visa after your studies. This means that additional health insurance may be required after your actual studies. (With most German insurers, such health insurance must be taken out before leaving the country).
Is further insurance necessary? No, but possibly useful as a supplement to the OSHC.
On site
What formalities have to be completed after arrival? Attend the orientation week - all formalities will be discussed there (collecting your student ID, bus ticket and insurance card, guided tour of the various facilities such as the Library, etc.).
Where is the best place to live and what are the average housing costs? On the Curtin University campus, around 160AUD per week.
How did the housing search work? The on-campus Housing Office arranges on-campus housing (application online from Germany) and helps with off-campus housing.
What is the average cost of living? 900AUD - 1000AUD per month including accommodation.
What is cheap/expensive? Prices are generally very high compared to Germany, alcohol is very expensive.
What are the shopping facilities like? Very good. Several large and small supermarkets near the university.
About the host university
Briefly describe the host university! Large, modern and very well-maintained international campus with very well-equipped facilities (Library, computers, study rooms, etc.).
How was the quality of the courses? Very good, many guest lecturers from industry and very committed and competent teaching staff.
How are the facilities at the host university? Very good.
How are the opening hours on campus, how are the libraries, are there lecture notes? The various facilities on campus are open until 5 p.m. on average. The Library is open longer and class times can also vary from 8am to 9pm. The Library is very large and very well equipped. It has many workstations where you can connect your own laptop and just as many workstations with modern PCs. There are also quiet rooms in the Library where you can study without being disturbed. Lecture notes are available for every lecture, some printed out and some digitally as PDFs.
How many hours a week did you have on average? Lessons were about 12 hours a week, but a lot of preparation and follow-up work had to be done at home.
Did the professors prepare you well for exams? Teachers prepared very well for exams / tests and were also available outside of courses and lectures and very helpful.
Are there special introductory courses for visiting students? There is an introductory week at the beginning of the semester especially for international students.
What should I bear in mind when the certificate is issued at the foreign university? It is sent by post from the university to the Department of International Affairs.
What did you like / dislike about the campus? Very large and very well equipped. Food and drink relatively expensive.
How are the transport connections? Transport links to the campus and the city are very good (approx. 30 minutes).
About the courses and lectures attended at Curtin University
Course attended: Buyer Behaviour and Analysis 561 Lecturer: Dr. Christopher Marchegiani Course duration & scope, teaching form: 3 hours / week, seminar Keywords for course description: Analysis of consumer buying behaviour Form of assessment: 2 tests, group work, term paper Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Cross-Cultural Communication and Negotiation 580 Lecturer: Dr. Htwe Htwe Thein Course duration & scope, teaching form: 3 hours / week, seminar Keywords for course description: Consideration of the behaviour of different nations in negotiations etc. Form of assessment: Homework incl. presentation, group work Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: International Marketing 615 Lecturer: Mary Anthony Course duration & scope, teaching form: 3 hours / week, seminar Keywords for the course description: Marketing with an international focus Form of assessment: 2 tests, 2 presentations, written examination Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Managerial Leadership 561 Lecturer: Dr Kandy Dayaram Course duration & scope, teaching form: 3 hours / week, seminar Keywords for the course description: Development of personal leadership values Form of assessment: 2 assignments, 1 presentation Is the course recommended? Yes
Leisure activities
What is the range of sports facilities on campus like? Very varied.
Do I have to pay for the sports programmes? Yes.
What leisure activities does the campus offer? Beach approx. 45 minutes away by train, large parks directly on campus and in the city. Hiking trails can be reached by bus (one-day and multi-day hikes possible).
What are the local attractions? Kings Park, Fremantle harbour and market.
What tourist attractions does the surrounding area have to offer? Pinnacles, Wave Rock, Wildlife Park.
Are there organised (possibly subsidised) excursions for visiting students? Yes, sightseeing tour through Perth and the surrounding area.
Are there many good restaurants and bars nearby? Bars and restaurants are a little further away in the city.
Are there any specialities to consider with the local cuisine? No.
Where do you go in the evening (pubs, bars, discos, cinemas) and what do you recommend? There is a good bar/pub on campus that is open during the week. At the weekend you go into town.
Final considerations - Conclusion
How would you rate your stay abroad overall? Very good.
Did you choose the right time for your semester abroad? Yes.
What were the high and low points of your stay? Meeting lots of new friends. A lot of work and stress during the semester to prepare for tests and write assignments.
What will you never forget? The short trips to Monkey Mia and Esperance during the semester break.
What advice would you like to give to other students on your degree programme who decide to spend a semester abroad at this foreign university? Start preparing early and look for suitable courses in good time in Germany and discuss them with the respective professors.
