I. General Information - Fachhochschule Köln

I.General Information
(please answer in the box on the right hand side)
First Name
Saskia
Name
Siedentopf
Age
23
Host country and city
Melbourne, Australia
Host university
RMIT University
Which semester did you spend abroad and which
semester did this correspond to in your studies?
5
1) Prior to the semester spent at your host university, had you lived or travelled abroad before?
(please set an X next to the correct answer)
Yes
X
No
2) If a CUAS student interested in my host university wishes to inquire about my experience
abroad, I hereby grant CUAS staff permission to provide them with my contact information.
(please set an X next to the correct answer)
Yes
X
No
a) If you affirmed, please specify which contact information we may hand them:
(please set an X next to the correct answer)
Mail Adress
b) If you declined, might CUAS staff send you their contact information instead?
(please set an X next to the correct answer)
Yes
X
No
3) Courses attended at host university (including local credits and equivalent in ECTS):
1. Business Ethics
2. The Entrepreneurial Process
3. Politics, Economics, Businesses
4. International Human Resources
5.
6.
II.
University Fact Sheet and Other Basic Information
(please write your answer into the right hand side box next to the question; it is all right for you to
estimate the numbers)
1) Size of host university campus:
600,000m² (City campus)
2) Number of students attending host university
82,000
3) Number of students enrolled at host department
23,000 (Asia-Pacific region)
4) Student-teacher ratio at host department and
university
Not specified
5) Average class size
25
6) Please rate the quality and/or availability of:
(set an X in the right hand box next to the correct answer or write “not applicable” “don’t know” or “did not use” in the
header)
a) Public transportation system surrounding host university campus
excellent
good
X
fair
poor
b) General infrastructure surrounding university/in host city (theatres, restaurants, shops, etc.)
excellent
X
good
fair
poor
c) Care provided by host university (including orientation, professor office hours, response time
to emails, etc).
excellent
good
fair
poor
fair
poor
fair
poor
d) Library facilities
excellent
good
X
e) Computer rooms and internet access
excellent
good
X
f) (if applicable) housing provided by host university  did not use
excellent
good
fair
poor
g) Laundry facilities (near dorm or private residence)
excellent
good
h) medical and dental services  did not use
fair
X
poor
X
excellent
good
fair
poor
i)
Comments on any of the above mentioned availability and quality or anything else interesting
you might want to add concerning this topic that might be useful to your peers?
In general, there are many students who want to use the computers in the library and it is recommendable
to come early to get a free seat.
When you have courses at the City campus it is advantageous to live in the CBD of Melbourne as using
the tram is not that cheap.
Life abroad in General (set an X in the right hand box next to the correct answer or write “not applicable” “don’t
know” in the header)
1) Where did you live while abroad?
Student housing (dorms, flat provided by university)
X
Private apartment or room (shared or by yourself)
Host family
Other - Please specify here :
2) In relation to the city centre and university campus: where did you live (district name, urban or
suburban or rural, etc.?
CBD Melbourne
3) How long would it take to get from the city centre to … (in minutes)
Your host university
Your home
Public transportation
Did not use
Did not use
Car
Did not use
Did not use
Bike
Did not use
Did not use
Walking
5
15
4) What mode of transportation (in terms of reliability and expense) would you recommend?
Where would you recommend peers visiting your host university in the future live or start
searching for a home (e.g. lists at university housing office, newspaper, website, real estate
agent, etc) and where do you recommend they be careful?
I think it makes sense to walk if you live in the CBD. Otherwise the tram system is reliable in
Melbourne but you have to pay for every drive. At least you get a discount as a student.
I really liked it to live in the CBD as you have all amenities nearby. I also heard that St Kilda is a
good place to live. I would recommend searching for a home using the website gumtree.com.
5) What did you eat most of the time while abroad?
X
Home prepared meals
TV dinners
Restaurant food or meals delivered to my home
Meals provided by host university café or restaurant
6) What advice or warning would you offer to students regarding housing, meals and life in your host
city?
In the beginning I was surprised that there is no real canteen at RMIT. You can buy little snacks in the
cafeteria are but these are quite expensive. Most of the time I ate home prepared meals as this was cheaper.
7) On average, what were your monthly expenses for
food and rent?
For rent I spent almost 500€ and the expenses for food
were 150-200€. Near the business building of RMIT there
is an Aldi supermarket where I went shopping most of the
time.
8) How much did the semester abroad cost you in
total (including flight, housing, meals and basic
needs but excluding money spent on private travel
and leisure activities)?
I assume that I spent about 6 000-7 000€ for my semester
abroad. Especially living costs are higher than in
Germany.
9) Comments on any of the above or anything else interesting you might want to add?
Although the costs for the semester are already very high I would really recommend to travel afterwards as
this was one of the best experiences in my life.
III.
Overall Assessment
1) Overall, were you satisfied with the host university and your semester abroad? Why or why not?
I was satisfied with the host university except the missing support from the International Office. I was also
satisfied with the semester in total but I thought it would be more demanding and I would learn more.
2) In what way did your expectations prior to leaving overlap with your experiences on-site and in
which areas were you surprised positively or negatively?
I was surprised how quickly it went that you get used to a foreign surrounding and to foreign people. I really
felt familiar very soon. Unfortunately I was surprised negatively from the level in the courses I chose. I also
was surprised, but positively, that it was a good choice to search for a home on site.
3) Would you recommend the host university and department to your peers and/or friends? Why or
why not?
I would recommend RMIT because I think that it is a really good university with a great amount of courses to
choose from. Additionally, Melbourne is really worth living.
4) Was the academic program right for you?
I think I would choose different courses if I went there a second time.
5) Do you think it made a difference that you studied abroad in terms of academic and intellectual
progress made?
In my opinion the semester abroad enriched me in many ways, for instance I became more independent and
concerning the academic progress it helped to improve my English. Furthermore, it is interesting to adapt to
another form of teaching.
6) Did you gain a greater sense of independence or self-confidence as a result of your semester
abroad?
This semester made me more self-confident as I recognized that I can manage many things on my own.
7) Any professors you recommend peers attending your host university in the future meet?
I would not recommend any professors.
8) How would you compare the experience gained abroad with the one you gained at CUAS?>
(set an X in the right hand box next to your answer)
much more
valuable
more
valuable
X
about
the
same
less
valuable
much
less
valuable
9) Did you feel that your previous studies at CUAS and other institutions prepared you enough and
adequately academically or personally for your semester abroad?
My previous studies prepared me in that way that my English skills were good enough to study a whole
semester in this language. They also helped me to be able to work independently.
10) Which information do you wish you had known prior to leaving and which advice would you give
to CUAS students attending your host university in the future?
I think it is useful to attend the introduction week as international students get lot of information there.
11) What do you consider the most desirable and least desirable trait of your experience abroad?
The most desirable trait was to get to know foreign people and a foreign culture and to meet new friends from
all over the world. There is nothing particular that I think was not desirable.
12) What were the primary benefits of choosing this particular university and country?
I think RMIT has much to offer for foreign students, for instance the contact to many other students, and
especially Australia is such a great country what really accentuates the semester abroad.
13) How did department and courses differ from those at CUAS (more or less course discussion,
different assessment of academic performances, less or more workload, higher or lower standards
for papers and exam-preparation)?
During my courses there was much more course discussion, especially in the ones with few students
participating. The biggest difference was that there were no big exams in the end of the semester like it is the
case at CUAS. You have to hand in papers, write small tests or work in groups. I think the standard was not
higher than at CUAS. But during the semester the workload is higher because you have to work more
regularly. The exam-preparation was not that difficult as the exams only counted for 40-60% of the final
grade.
14) How international was the faculty and the department as a whole (global outlook of course
material, number of international students and faculty)?
In my point of view not all courses were international but there are many international students in general at
RMIT. The outlook of course material was global only in some courses.
15) What advice or warning can you give students to enable them to make the most of their semester
abroad academically and personally in general and specifically for your host university, city and
country? Did you feel safe?
I would recommend not to focus too much on studying but to do things in and around Melbourne. I often
regretted it that I spent so much time in the library. Additionally, it is always good to be open for everything
new around you. In Melbourne I always felt safe, there were no unpleasant events.
One warning could be not to spend too much time with Germans as you always speak German with each
other and I think it is more exciting to talk to internationals.
16) Which type of students would you recommend your host university to in particular and who
would you recommend choose a different host university?
I think all types of students can choose to take RMIT as a host university as there are many different
faculties.
17) Did you have difficulties adjusting to the different culture and/or language? If yes, how did you
cope?
Of course, in the beginning you have to get used to the circumstance that everybody around you speaks
English but it is only a thing of practice. Furthermore, the Australian accent is very nice and easy to
understand. The culture is not very different from the German one; in general the people are friendlier which
helps you in your everyday life.
18) Did you miss a question in this questionnaire or think an aspect of your experience was not
covered enough in order to render us a full understanding of how your experience abroad went? If
so, please elaborate below.
Field Report
Please write a two-page essay on your experience abroad and save it in a separate file. You
may touch on the following topics, but write it in any other way that you consider interesting
to your peers:





Reasons for choosing host university and country
How you prepared for going abroad
Helpful information on cultural customs in host country
Review of your semester, possibly sharing some highlights (socially and academically)
Final retrospect
+ Optional:
 list of suggestions for places to go
 important links and addresses (e.g. banks, contacts at host university or German embassy,
etc)
Please feel free to include photos in your report, so that we can publish them on our website
together with your field report
Field Report
First Name
Saskia
Name
Siedentopf
Host University
RMIT, Melbourne
Im Rahmen meines Studiums International Business habe ich mein Auslandssemester von Juli bis
November 2013 am Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne verbracht. Dieses
Auslandssemester ist für meinen Studiengang an der Fachhochschule Köln obligatorisch.
Aus einer Vielzahl von Partner-Universitäten weltweit konnte ich mich für drei bewerben. Schnell
war für mich klar, dass das RMIT meine erste Wahl sein sollte, da ich schon lange den Wunsch
hegte, Australien kennenzulernen und zudem in einem englisch sprachigen Raum studieren wollte.
Des Weiteren bestätigten mich positive Erzählungen anderer Studenten, die bereits am RMIT
studiert haben.
Nachdem im Februar die Zusage kam, kümmerte ich mich direkt um Visum und Flug. Ersteres lässt
sich online beantragen und kostet um die 380 €. Aufgrund der hohen Kosten für einen Flug lohnt es
sich, sich rechtzeitig ins Reisebüro zu begeben, um eventuelle Rabatte wahrnehmen zu können.
Um sich am RMIT immatrikulieren zu können, muss auch eine australische Krankenversicherung
abgeschlossen werden, deren Kosten sich auf circa 180 € belaufen. Zusätzlich habe ich aber noch
meine eigene Krankenkasse über meinen Auslandsaufenthalt informiert. Weiterhin bestanden
meine Vorbereitungen zum Einen darin, ein Konto bei der Deutschen Bank zu eröffnen, da man
damit kostenfrei Geld bei der Westpac in Australien abheben kann, und zum Anderen aus diversen
Auffrischimpfungen, die aber nicht zwangsläufig nötig sind. Im Rahmen der Vorbereitungen spielte
die Wohnungssuche die wichtigste Rolle. Nachdem ich bei eingehender Recherche festgestellt
habe, dass Wohnen im Wohnheim in Melbourne sehr teuer ist, beschloss ich, mir vor Ort eine
Wohnung zu suchen. Für die ersten zwei Wochen in Melbourne buchte ich mir ein Hostel, von wo
aus ich mit zwei Kommilitoninnen die Wohnungssuche in Angriff nahm. Diese lief größtenteils über
das Portal gumtree.com, wo man sich selbst ein Profil anlegen konnte, um somit potentielle
Vermieter auf sich aufmerksam zu machen. Nach der Besichtigung einiger Wohnungen, deren
Zustand nicht akzeptabel war, fanden wir ein Apartment in einem Wohnheim, welches uns von
einem privaten Vermieter vermittelt wurde. Die Miete betrug in etwa 450 € monatlich, was nicht
teuer für Melbourne ist. Hinzu kamen noch Strom und Internet. Wenn man in Melbourne studieren
möchte, muss man sich darauf einstellen, dass die Lebenshaltungskosten insgesamt im Vergleich
zu Deutschland höher sind.
Da die Klausurenphase an der FH noch nicht beendet war, war es für uns nicht möglich, an der
Orientierungswoche am RMIT teilzunehmen. Somit gingen wir am ersten Vorlesungstag zunächst
ins International Office, um uns mit Informationen zu versorgen. Dort entsprach die Betreuung nicht
unseren Vorstellungen. Man gab uns lediglich unsere Zugangsdaten und teilte uns mit, wir sollten
uns zu Beginn erst einmal im System registrieren, was nicht länger als eine halbe Stunde dauern
sollte. Selbst nach circa zwei Stunden beschäftigten wir uns immer noch mit der Registrierung und
besondere Probleme verursachte die Anmeldung der Kurse, da es an der RMIT ein System gibt,
welches wir so nicht kannten. Es besteht die Möglichkeit mehrere Kurse auszuwählen, diese
auszuprobieren und sich nach einem gewissen Zeitraum endgültig anzumelden. Nachdem alles
Relevante organisiert war, trat der Alltag ein, der sich als unerwartet stressig entpuppte. In
Australien wird viel selbstständiger gearbeitet als in Deutschland. Zudem gibt es eine Vielzahl
kleiner Aufgaben, die für die Note relevant sind, im Gegensatz zu einer großen Abschlussklausur
am Ende des Semesters. Somit war ich gut beschäftigt, mich für die Seminare vorzubereiten, für
Tests zu lernen und Hausarbeiten zu schreiben. Nichtsdestotrotz ermöglichten mir meine Kurse
eine
neue Sichtweise.
Trotz des hohen
Arbeitspensums
konnten
wir die
wichtigsten
Sehenswürdigkeiten in Melbourne besichtigen und die bekannte Party- und Kneipenszene erleben.
Während unseres Studiums lernten wir viele andere internationale Studenten und auch Australier
kennen, was zum Beispiel durch ein wöchentliches Grillen auf dem Campus oder Ausrichtung eines
Surf-Camps ermöglicht wurde.
Unsere Kurse fanden alle auf dem City Campus statt,
der zentral in der Stadt gelegen ist. Dies war sehr praktisch, da wir alles gut zu Fuß erreichen
konnten.
Insgesamt kann ich sagen, dass dieses Auslandssemester eine einmalige Erfahrung war und ich
mich immer wieder für Melbourne entscheiden würde. In diesem halben Jahr wird man
selbstständiger, spontaner und lernt mit Schwierigkeiten besser umzugehen. Darüber hinaus bietet
ein Studium in Australien einem die Möglichkeit, nach Semesterende das Reisen für sich zu
entdecken und somit ein außergewöhnliches Land und eine faszinierende Kultur kennenzulernen.