Mobility specification

Country:Australia

Institution:Deakin University

City:Melbourne

Program:Partner universities

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Arts

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?they have tons

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?One course at Deakin University is worth 1 credit, but at MUNI it equals 8 credits.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?It certainly depends on the field of study from which the teaching at MUNI and then at Deakin University is based. I'm used to teaching in my field of study in smaller groups and with a lot of space for discussion. This style of teaching, very small groups and space for discussion, was very similar at Deakin. Again, I think this was related to my major, as friends studying economics often had classical lectures.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes. There was orientation week on campus and many student events practically all semester. There were opportunities to sign up for a number of clubs on campus, depending on the student's interests. If a student chooses to live on campus, Deakin residence hosts a great many events (breakfasts, trips, summer movie, etc.) that are completely free and very easy to get to know others.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special aids and technologies (e.g., text-to-speech software, hearing aids)
Crisis intervention
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:25000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Public transport is quite expensive and cannot be done without.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?You can certainly buy a lot of things cheaply at K-mart (clothes, things for the kitchen or bathroom), cosmetics at Chemist Warehouse and buying food on sale is easy. Compared to the Czech Republic, buying food is not that much more expensive and with good planning you can fit in normal amounts.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?neutral

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?We were given a Myki card from the campus accommodation on arrival, which is used for transport. It is then possible to add money to the card using a machine right on campus. Connections can be easily searched via Google maps.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?There are countless cafes around Melbourne that any coffee lover will appreciate, and Melbourne is also known for its rooftop bars. I'd definitely recommend visiting the famous Queen Victoria's Market, but also check out the South Melbourne Market.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?I can recommend renting a car and going to Great Ocean Road or Wilsons Promontory Park. Then by air it is definitely worth seeing Sydney, Brisbane and the whole East Coast. If you want to see a bit more of Australia, Perth and the whole of WA offers plenty to see and some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.

Share your best experience:Seeing dolphins on the beach at Monkey Mia, quokkas on Rottnest Island or koalas on Magnetic Island are definitely among the best experiences.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?yes

Where can it be arranged?Everything can be done electronically via the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

What is needed?All you need are valid documents such as a passport, ID card and driving licence. Then provide the LA document, approved by both institutions. The more documents you provide them, the faster the approval will be.

How long does it take approximately?Filling out all the pages can be tedious, but the confirmation and granting of the visa was almost instantaneous.

How did you get to the place?Plane

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?Make sure you don't forget the charging adapter. I would also bring any medications you may need to take regularly and/or have prescriptions for, or contact lenses. You will probably need to buy bedding, pillows, and blankets right away when you arrive. If you have room in your suitcase, you can try to bring your own bedding, but I personally bought mine at K-mart when I got there.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?An incredible five months, a lot of new experiences and new friends.