I am a Brisbane-nite currently living in Jena tor the next year or so. As FSU Jena has a Study abroad programme with Australian universities lt might be interested tor you to read an Australian perspective of being a student in Australia.
I have studied at the three main universities in Brisbane. Each university has its own unique character and there are many ‘unsaid‘ rivals between students eg students from UQ think that QUT campus looks like plain square buildings with no character, in comparison to the Iush green lawns and waterfountains of UQ.
People are quite relaxed and carefree in Brisvegas (a term of endearment by the ‘local yokals‘) and uni ute is presented to us as being tun. Having ciasses wherein some people only having to come to uni two or three days a week is quite an appeal tor those finishing highschool and mixing with the opposite sex is another attraction (tor those coming from single sex private schools). Universities create a balance between work and study with many societies to choose from. Societies usually organise a ‘pub crawl‘ each semester. lt is heaps of fun driving around Brisbane at night, stopping at various locations for a drink. Be warned! At each pub crawl it is obligatory to sing a rendition of ‘The wheels on the bus‘ and ‘100 of bottles of beer on the wall‘.
So from a critical opinion of the standard of university courses, here is what I have to say: Griffith Uni — here, I studied Spanish tor one semester. lt was not so difficult. Administration wise — make sure you are organised or you will have a hell ot a time trying to get information from these buggers. QUT – here, I did two and half years of business. The courses was quite ditticult. I believe that they have very good lecturers but the tutors are shokking. Administration wise, very helptul but also hard to get the correct information. UQ – here, I studied at IML* and later did one semester of Australian
Literature and Philosophy. These were quite enjoyable, so it didn‘t seem like a lot of work. Administration wise, very helptul and punctual with information. As an exchange student there are many chances to mix with the locals and learn about Australiari culture. As Queensland is the ‘Sunshine State‘ and Brisbane only 45 mins away from the Gold Coast, where you can surf and build sand castles to your hearts content — you wont be disappointed. So, take the leap and head to Brisvegas.

* Occka steht für “typisch australisch“
** Institute of Modern Languages**