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CSULB Exchange: Deakin University : Testimonials (Melbourne)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by Center for International Education
Direct Exchange Evaluation
How did your classes differ from those you have taken at CSULB?
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• (Sp. 2012) 3 math classes and an Intro. to Australian History class. Lectures and tutorials are separate and attendance in tutorials is a must, as the groups consist of 10-25 students. • 2 media classes, 1 journalism class, and 1 international relations class. Each subject had one lecture and one “tutorial” where classes were smaller and discussions were encouraged. Classes were not too difficult but a lot of it was “learn-on-your-own”. • General Biology, Australian Literature, Children’s Literature, and an education class focused on Disabilities. Biology Lab was very similar to our own. Class grades are mostly based on two papers and one large test/final. Classes are easy but the grading scale is difficult • I found the classes very comparable as for level of difficulty, but the set up was much different. For a 3 unit class, we would have a 2 hour lecture similar to a lecture at CSULB but we would use the third hour as a tutorial session during a different time of the week. Tutorials consisted of a smaller group (15 students). • Cognition, HPS309 Psych. Testing and Measurement, HNN212 Psychotherapeutic Practice, ASC389 Sociology of Sport. The system at Deakin is very different from what we’re used to here at CSULB. The grading system is based on essay worth 40-50% of your grade and the final exam also worth 50-60% of your grade. • At Deakin there is no room for error, and making up extra credit or additional work is not allowed. As far as actually learning, you have to teach yourself most of the course content… I felt the grading system was hard to get used to because you really have no idea where you stand until near the end of the course. Fortunately when grades transfer over receiving a 70-80% or higher in Australia means an A here at CSULB. • I took 3 business and 1 history class, Australia Today. The courses were easy, only one paper and one final exam determine your grade. There is one lecture and one tutorial for each class. • I took three math education classes and ran an introduction to Australian history class. • Lectures and tutorials are separate and attendance in tutorials is a must because the group consists of only 10 to 25 students. — Spring, 2013 Participant |
What was your housing like and how much did it cost you per month? How easy was it to arrange?
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• (Sp. 2012) On campus in Burwood Student Village (BSV). ~200 students live there, but each building had only 10 students. Usually 8 of 10 residents were Australian, so you can meet people from everywhere. Laundry is free and each building has full amenities- kitchen, living room, etc. • I lived in Burwood Student Living. In my house I had my own room and there were 5 other girls. It was really fun, but our landlord was CRAZY. It was worth it in the end because I loved everyone I lived with • I lived in Burwood Student Living. I lived with 4 Americans and 1 Norwegian. There was a house behind mine and down the street with all international students going to Deakin. I loved who I lived with and the location (close to school) Landlord=Awful. Live in the international house to get same vibe with less problems from the landlord • I went to Deakin University, Burwood Campus. I lived in a house with 7 bedrooms via Burwood Student Living. It had a washer and dryer, a common room and a kitchen. I lived in the “retro house” which was about a block from campus. Most student housing is on Burwood highway and the 75 tram line is on that road so it makes traveling around the city very convenient. It was a one bedroom house with all the amenities of an American house and had 2 full bathrooms • I lived in the International House, right across the street from Deakin University. I had 6 roomies from all over the globe. • I lived in Student Living, which is about a 5 minute walk from campus. I lived with students from all over the world, as well as some from the states. Garcia, who is in charge of 9 different student houses was a very nice lady who went out of here way to help us with anything we needed. Price wise, it was similar in cost to the international house, yet these individual houses provided more amenities and more privacy. All of her houses have full kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas, as well as heaters and air conditioning. The weather is unpredictable at times in Melbourne, so heating and air came in very handy. I met my closest friends through this housing and I would recommend this to everyone. Also, I heard the dorms were fun, if you’re looking for having a lot of new faces around you yet with little privacy. • On campus at the Burwood Student Village (BSV) there are about 200 students living there, but each building has about 10 students living in it. Usually 8 out of the 10 residents were Australian so you can meet all kinds of people. Laundry is free and each building has full amentities—kitchen, living room, etc. Housing costs per month: • ~$4,500 up front which works out to be ~1,100 per month and food is not included. • $1,200/mo. Expensive I know, but I heard you can haggle! So if you can, book later to get a better deal • $1,315 book later and haggle • I paid about $760/mo. Along with around an $810 security deposit. This is in AUD • About $4,500 up front which works out to be about $1,100 per month. Food is not included. — Spring, 2013 Participant |
How much money per week did you spend on food? Transportation? Personal Expenses? Travel?
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Food: Between $60-$150 per week Transportation: Between $10-$80 per week Personal Expenses: Between $10-$200 per week Travel: Between $100-$500 per week — Spring, 2013 Participant |
How much money per week did you spend on food? Transportation? Personal Expenses? Travel?
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Food: Between $60-$150 per week Transportation: Between $10-$80 per week Personal Expenses: Between $10-$200 per week Entertainment: Between $20-$100 per week — Erica Jorgenson, Spring 2013 |
What were your experiences with the language? Did you feel you had enough language preparation?
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• They speak English. You’ll enjoy the fun little sayings that Aussies say like “Good on ya” and “How ya goin” and “Fair dinkum” • The accent can be thick, especially in the country. They talk kind of fast so it might take a little while before you can understand everything. They also like to shorten words where possible. — Spring, 2013 Participant |