1 This was an exchange semester in one of the partner universities of the NOHA Master program in International Humanitarian Action. Deakin University.
Regarding Deakin’s study program, it was quite diverse with unit courses addressing different topics of the humanitarian sector. I consider this is one of the positive aspects that Deakin offers. Each trimester (please notice is not by semesters as in Europe) the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, which is the department in charge of this course, offer different unit courses every trimester where you can choose from. Therefore, students that enrolled in the first, second and third trimester of the year will find different units and topics available. The number of hours of lecture maybe something that NOHA students should be aware of, specially for those who are coming with an European education framework and used to two or more lectures of one unit in a week. In Deakin, mostly NOHA units has an intensity of 1 lecture per week but instead with high off-campus hours of readings and assignments that are expected from students in every lecture.
Language I do not consider it an issue for NOHA students because the official language of the program is also English. All reading materials and language during lectures is off course, in English.
In my experience, Deakin informed us that scholarships are not applicable for NOHA students.
Thus, my financial sustain during my exchange came mainly from my own savings and Marco Polo scholarship. Normally, students should expect to pay a minimum of AUD$400 to AUD$600 weekly (including rent for a room and bills -in a shared house-, food and public transport). This depends of course of your life style which can go even higher. Remember! In Australia (unlike the rest of the world) you pay most of things weekly, not monthly. Check your budget first.
My housing experience went fine. I lived in a classic shared student house, where I could share my life with students from different nationalities. I found my room for my own. Although most students prefer to live close to the CBD (city center) where there are all the main cultural activities in Melbourne, I preferred to live close to Deakin University which is 1 hour away from CBD, commuting by bus or tram. There are other housing alternatives. Deakin offer housing to students too but they are more expensive compared to the private market, but convenient who wants to live close to Uni.
Australia has a very warm culture that you will love. Mostly Australians are welcoming and
‘chatty’ persons. The cultural life in Melbourne is rich in activities, available every nights for all type of spectators. Bars, museums, sports, festivals, music, etc always shine in busy Melbourne. Nothing different, in my opinion with the European culture in the main cities.
There are plenty of activities in the city that you can choose to use during your free time. Most museums and cultural festivals are free and other events that although there is a fee entrance are very enjoyable such as Australian football, cricket, tennis events, concerts, and so on. Off course, daily activities with your friends in a park doing picnic or in a coffee shop also fit pretty well in Melbourne.
Travelling maybe something you should plan with time. Most flight tickets to go in or go out Australia are expensive compared to the prices that NOHA student may used to pay in Europe.
For a NOHA student in Europe that wants to go to Australia you should expect a minimum AUD $2,000 in flight tickets (back and forth). I forgot to mention above that international
2 students are allowed to work in Australia up to 20 hours per week during study period and full-time during holidays period, so you can make up a bit with that.
Lastly, I would suggest students to go to Deakin during summer (December-February) which I think is trimester one, so you can enjoy thousands of cultural events that happen during this time. Melbourne become more active with a lot of more things to see and places to visit.
Also remember that in Australia, universities have normally two breaks in each trimester. One in the middle and at the end, so you can use them too to travel around the country and know other cities that also offer interesting activities to see, before your exchange and visa expires.
Good luck!
