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University of Canberra

Why choose University of Canberra?

The University of Canberra is located in Australia's capital city, Canberra. Canberra is conveniently located 3 hours from Sydney and 2 hours from the south coast beaches and the snowy mountains. Canberra offers the perfect blend of city and nature, with all the amenities of a larger city but without the congestion. With a higher percentage of Australian students, you will find more opportunities to meet locals and enjoy a more genuine Australian experience than in larger cities. The University campus is located in one of Canberra's main city centres, boasting a large mall, beautiful lake and heaps of parkland abundant with native Australian plants and wildlife including kangaroos and colourful parrots. Students are offered guaranteed on campus accommodation, a quick walk to classes, public transport and shops. Students may choose from over 3,000 subjects providing practical learning in areas like arts, design, health, education, science, technology, math, business, government and law

Founded
1967

Reviews

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Gabrielle
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience at UC

During my exchange semester at the University of Canberra, I was struck by how inclusive and welcoming the environment was. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this was a place where everyone could feel comfortable and valued.

The academic system was also a standout feature. The courses encouraged deep learning through assignments that required extensive research, pushing us to explore topics in depth and develop critical thinking skills. This approach made my learning experience both challenging and rewarding.

Beyond academics, the university offered a range of support services and activities. Several organizations on campus provided opportunities for social interaction, making it easy to meet new people and form friendships. There was also the availability of free food resources for students. As an international student, this kind of support was very helpful.

Special thanks go to Emma and Rebecca, the coordinators for the exchange program. Their kindness and constant support made the transition to a new country so much smoother. They were always available to assist us, whether it was with academic guidance or personal concerns.

In summary, my time at University of Canberra was an unforgettable experience, and I would completely recommend it to any student considering an exchange program.

Default avatar
Sara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful Experience!

It has been a pleasure to join this program and get to live the Aussie life!
The University of Canberra is a great place to spend your exchange, as it organizes many fun activities for students, lectures are very engaging and the support for students, especially international is great. In fact, the university hosts a large number of international students and they always have your back if needed!
I also believe that Canberra as a city is very beautiful because it has a lot of natural features and places to visit that are easily accessible.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice is to engage as much as you can in all the activities that the university, the student accommodation, and Global Learning always organize. It is a great way to make friends, fully immerse into this experience, and get to know the culture.
Pros
  • Improving your english skills
  • Become more independent
  • Have friends from all around the world
Default avatar
Charlotte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Exchange year Abroad

I came from Swansea University, UK for a year abroad and after only one semester I can say it is totally worth it! The international support (especially Rebecca and Emma) have been really helpful and supportive in getting everyone settled and making sure everyone had everything they needed. I've met friends for life and already have plans to visit their countries when leaving Canberra. We've had some nights out in Civic that were amazing and have met so many new people and locals! Totally worth a visit. Just remember to keep busy and meet as many people as possible to get the most out of your experience. The uni itself has so many events on that it's almost difficult to keep up and attend all of them! The housing is brilliant and if there are any issues they are sorted almost immediately. I cannot recommend this experience enough!! I can't wait to see what the rest of the year will bring and I will definitely be back to visit after I finish university!!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Kangaroos are literally everywhere! My favourite part of the experience has been the exchange groups nightly walks to spot the kangaroos and possums
Pros
  • Night life
  • People
  • Wildlife
Cons
  • Leaving canberra
Default avatar
Brooke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So Happy I Did This.

I am truly happy I took the leap to come to Canberra, Australia. I have traveled before but with family and friends for short periods of time. This has been my first time abroad for 4 months and without friends and family. I have grown close to so many students here and we are all becoming close like a family. I have adapted very quickly here, which really helped the transition. The ambassadors have been very helpful and a lot of fun. Knowing that they have also been in our situation really helps us bond with them because they know what we are going through. When I go back to the US I will have to get used to everything being on the right side since I have been getting use to everything on the left. Learning this culture really opens my eyes and excites me to learn about more cultures. I am excited to see what the next three months bring me and I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to study abroad.

What would you improve about this program?
I would highly recommend this program. Some things that need to be improved is the organization of signing up for class. Due to the different culture it was very difficult understanding what was needed to be done in order to sign up for classes. I feel that was the most stressful thing to do and if it could be broken down a little more I feel it could have been easier to do myself.
Default avatar
Erin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

UC Feedback

Everyone I have encountered since being at UC have been extremely helpful to say the least. We always know all the activities that are going on because they make sure they inform us and everyone wants to make sure you have an amazing time abroad. All of the ambassadors are more than willing to drive you places and take you on trips to see other sides of Australia. Canberra is definitely not as populated as other big cities but you can find plenty to do on the weekends and everything is very reasonably prices. I like how my housing is perfect walking distance to the mall where i get my groceries as well as campus.

What would you improve about this program?
I would recommend being more hands on with students when it comes to enrolling in classes. Being from a different country, the enrolling in units part was difficult and it would've been nice to have more help.

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Gareth Keogh

Gareth is a 21-year-old male from Dublin, Ireland and studies in the Dublin Institute of Technology. Gareth studied abroad at the University of Canberra in Australia!
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Do you think your program changed you as a person?

Definitely. I think it's impossible for an experience like being in a far away country for one year to not change you as a person. I have probably met around 200 people since arriving here, and I think I got to experience so many different and unique personalities that I wouldn't have experienced if I decided not to go on exchange.

So because I met so many people, I feel a lot more comfortable introducing myself and talking to strangers. I also have never lived on my own before going abroad, so in terms of independence this exchange has been really beneficial. I could hardly boil an egg before arriving here, but now I can fend for myself in the kitchen.

Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home.

My home university (DIT) in Ireland wasn't too far away from my house, so it wouldn't have made much sense if I didn't live with my parents. One of the big reasons I decided to go was to experience the lifestyle of living on campus surrounded by friends, and that's my favorite part of being abroad.

Every day I could do something with my friends, whether if it was something simple such as watching TV with them, hanging out in one of the common areas or going to the city for a night out with them. I'm sure it will be difficult to have these friends who were a two minute walk away to being on the other side of the Atlantic, or in another country elsewhere.

What made this study abroad experience unique and special?

The people. I am staying quite late in Canberra, as I want to hold onto my job to save money and to travel to Melbourne before heading back home, and it's tough (to say the least) to say goodbye to people I have gotten to know really well. As more and more people are going, you soon realize that it's the group of people that make an experience what it is.

I was lucky enough to be apart of two different great exchange groups during my time in Canberra, and they're people I'd love to see again and to keep in contact with. I've become really good friends with Australians as well, which is another reason why I'm sticking around for longer. Since I visited their country, I hope they can return the favor and visit mine!

How has this experience impacted your future?

I was very apprehensive before arriving here. Spending a full year away from home was pretty daunting considering the longest I've been outside my country before that was two weeks. The whole journey coming over here I actually spent most of it looking forward to when I come back home, so before, I used to always consider myself as a home bird, with no interest of seeing much of the world outside Ireland.

But now, on my return flight, I wouldn't bet against me looking forward to seeing the amazing people I have met again. I can't think of anything better than to take a year out and to travel around, having reunions with the closest friends I made here.

What is one piece of advice you'd give future University of Canberra students?

Make the most of it while you're here. There are brilliant ambassadors here who want you're experience of Australia to be as good as it can be, and how they do that is by organising many trips and parties. So I'd recommend to go to as many of them as your bank account allows you to!

Being in Australia costs money, so I missed a chunk of my second semester here as I was doing farm work, and I have to say it was frustrating to miss out on the orientation, and the twice-a-year Sydney trip to get to know all of the exchange students from my second semester. So another piece of advice is to try and get a job as early as possible, in order to afford everything, especially if you're here for the year.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Rebecca Willis

Rebecca Willis is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. She did her exchange to Wagga Wagga, Australia back in 2007 and realized her life goal was to work with international students. She is incredibly passionate about ensuring the best experience possible for each student under her care at the University of Canberra.
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What is your favorite travel memory?

I’d have to say that dogsledding in Norway under the Northern Lights and capturing them on my own camera was definitely an experience to remember!

What position do you hold at the University of Canberra? What has been your career path so far?

This is my fourth year as the Inbound Study Abroad and Exchange Officer and it’s actually my first job since graduating university. I feel that this job is the perfect match for my passions, skills and experience and I definitely don’t plan on leaving in the near future.

While studying my Bachelors in Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington (UNCW), I interned at the Office of International Programs and while I was studying my Master of International Relations at Macquarie University, I worked at Macquarie International. This experience working in international offices in two different countries gave me invaluable experience to help me land my current job.

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Yes, of course! I wanted the adventure of exploring somewhere new. I went to Wagga Wagga, Australia, which wasn’t my first choice, but something I would never take back. It was here where I met my Aussie husband, decided to change my career path, and deepened my faith.

I also learned that the best places to study abroad are where you can meet the locals and have a true cultural experience. It’s not in the big cities, after all, where the kangaroos and native wildlife live! That’s one of the things I love about working at the University of Canberra too. We have more local students and even kangaroos on campus!

What country have you always wanted to visit?

I’ve always wanted to visit Japan because I became close friends with two Japanese exchange students back when I was studying my undergraduate degree at UNCW. Japanese culture intrigues me, the people are extremely kind and the food isn’t bad either!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I love my entire team at the University of Canberra and I feel proud to be a part of the Study Abroad and Exchange team every day! We are all likeminded in our passion for travel and overseas study and we are all very creative and innovative, constantly looking for ways to improve- and implementing them.