UTS (Australia), 2024-2025
Orientation
The orientation week was ideal for getting to know other students - especially international students who were just as new to Sydney as I was. I particularly liked the fact that UTS organises lots of discovery events. From hiking in the Blue Mountains to skydiving and exploring Chinatown, there were plenty of opportunities to discover the city and meet great people in the process. Some good friendships that still exist today were formed on these excursions.
Studying at the UTS
The degree programme at UTS is very different from what I was used to at FH Aachen. Here, more emphasis is placed on continuous tasks and projects that extend over the entire semester. Final exams often only make up a small part of the overall grade. This means that the workload is distributed more evenly, but the semester is less demanding overall. The modern study rooms and equipment at the university made studying very pleasant. There were always contacts on campus for international students to help with questions and problems.
I took four modules during the semester via my Study Abroad programme, which were free of admission. After the semester, we were issued with a Transcript of Records, which allowed me to have my grades recognised following a Learning Agreement with the International Faculty Office of FB7. These also improved my overall grade point average.
Leisure & Commitment
What I particularly enjoyed was the wide range of clubs and societies on offer. I joined the volleyball club and trained with other students every week - a great way to meet new people and stay active. I also ran with the run club once a week from uni to Sydney Opera House and back.
I also took part in the UTS SOUL programme, which connects students with community projects. I got involved in the Sydney City Farm, which promotes sustainable agriculture. The food harvested was donated to organisations that support people with food insecurity. It was an enriching experience that not only opened up new perspectives for me, but also brought me into contact with locals.
