Hey everyone! I'm Jen, a junior studying management and marketing studying at University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia through the IBEX program. This is part two of my year abroad, since I spent last semester at NYU Madrid.
Why I chose IBEX...
I chose IBEX because I felt as though it was important to explore as many different cultures and people as possible. I knew this would not only make me grow as an individual, but it would challenge me in ways that would give me skills that would make me a more valuable team member and employee.
Why I chose UNSW (University of New South Wales)...
The primary reason for choosing UNSW was location. Australia is somewhere I've always wanted to go, but since it is so far away it makes it a bit more difficult to travel to. Although I don't know for sure, I didn't know if I'd ever get the opportunity to be in Australia for four to five months.
First impressions...
I just finished my fourth week of classes here so it's not necessarily first impressions, but I absolutely love Sydney and UNSW!
Australians are super friendly have made me feel so welcome, I don't think I've gone to a shop or cafe without having a chat with the barista or cashier (Sidenote, Australian coffee is AMAZING!!!).
Classes are structured a bit different here. Typically you have a one or two hour lecture once a week and a tutorial (equivalent to a recitation at NYU) once a week for an hour or two. Each class has a total of three hours a week between the lecture and tutorial. Professors are similar to those at NYU, approachable and welcome to questions and feedback.
I'm living in a dorm, which I love! Although there are no kitchens, I have my own room and there is a dining hall that cooks three meals a day (NYU dining halls are better). Although most Australians attend their local universities and live at home, living at the dorm has allowed me to meet a great mix of Aussies and international students.
Until Next time!