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Host institution:
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Program:
Faculty:
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University of the Sunshine Coast

Australia 2017/2018 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
Philology / English Language and Literature

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
spring 2018
autumn 2018

Period of placement (from-to):
2018-02-15 - 2018-12-15

Number of months:
10.00

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
Online at the school website https://www.usc.edu.au/learn/courses-and-programs/majors-and-minors/study-abroad-courses

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Confirmation/Certificate of English language level
Reference from MUNI teaching staff
Transcript of Records

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
The acceptance happened during 2-3 months, first I have submitted application to CZS, then I had interview at CZS and then I was nominated. USC staff replies quickly so the process went smoothly.

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Every document needs to be translated to English: I have submitted my Bachelor Degree Diploma, the refference list, Confirmation of Enrolment, Learning Agreement, Transcript of Records, Birth Certificate, Passport Copy

Length of wait for visa:
Everything is done online. Filling out the VISA form takes quite a long time, especially when everything needs to be translated, however once I submitted the form, I had the VISA grant in my mail in 5 - 10 minutes.

Fee for the visa:
550 AUD

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
Yes, we agreed that the courses will be recognised as D courses

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
Yes, I have changed it twice as I was staying for two semesters

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
There is a list of courses that internationals can take, once you have USC email you will be send information on when to register for the courses, max. number of courses is 4 if you have less there need confirmation from MUNI. I had three and there was no problem getting the confirmation.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes, my courses were all examined by various tests, essays or other assignments during the semester and by final essays at the end.

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
no

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
One cousre has 12 Units that is translated as 7 ECTS.

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
Depends on the subjects, however USC is definitely more demanding and challenging than MUNI. There were small assignments (reading, presentation etc) for each week and around three main assessments during the semester. Usually I had one hour of theory and then 2 hours of seminar/practical

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
Even though there were more assignments, the teaching level was high and in my opinion same as at my faculty at MUNI

How did you receive study materials?:
Through Blackboard (similar to our ELF, Moodle), some courses had readers which were able to be printed from the print service at UNI.

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
History of Australian Pop Culture - you will learn a lot about Australian society, culture
Understanding Cultural Diversity - very important an dinteresting subject about topics such as racism, multiculturalism, migration etc

How well is the school library equipped?:
The library is very well equipped, it has a lot of study rooms and is accessible 24 hours. However, it is quite cold in the library as the air con works 24/7 so bring a jumper

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
A lots of copmuters, internet access works well, I used computers from library did not bring my own laptop

Options from printing and copying:
Each semester you will get 20 AUD on your student card for printing and copying, I used it a lot and did not spend all the credit

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
There is an international barbecue for internationals and you can also attend Orientation week, which is great for getting freebies etc but that is about it. During the semester there are more events on the school lawn for all students not only internationals

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
3

or describe in your own words:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
Flat share - one single room in a fully equiped unit

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
640 USD

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
640 AUD (AUD was not in the option in the previous question)Price included only accommodation, additional charge for energy, water, which was paid every 3 months and split between all tenants, aprox. 150 AUD

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
Do not bring anyything, there is a lot of flat shares in the surroundings that are fully equipped

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
I think I have organised it around one month before but I think it can be done later as well, most important is to have the flight tickets and then you can look up accommodation

What are the catering options?:
With student card, the lunch costs 5.50 AUD and the portion and variety is great

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Definitely more expensive than in CZ, it is cheaper to cook at home than to eat out

Transport to location of placement:
Plane and from Brisbane shuttle bus/train to Sunshine Coast, 23 - 30 hour flight, 2 hour train

Rough prices for transportation:
18 000/19 000 Kč one way ticket from Prague to Brisbane

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
Check out skyscanner for cheap tickets and other websites for cheap travel

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
Public transport is quite limited also depends on where you stay. If you stay on the coast along the main road that the bus is running rather often. If you like biking, you can buy cheap bike on FB market or buy a car

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
No need for permit, only have your visa grant and COE printed out and pick up the student card at USC after the arrival

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
There is a health insurance that has to be purchased specifically for this type of student visa, it is called OSHC and costs 717 AUD, you have to purchase it before applying for visa

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
Yes, OSHC covers pretty much everything but dental treatment, the treatment by GP is for free, only the drugs/pills needs to be paid

Did you work during your studies?:
I volunteered at various events

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
The visa allows you to work 20 hours per week

Tips for free-time activities:
Traveling around Sunshine Coast - hinterlands, lots of national parks, which are great for hiking, Glass House Mountains Noosa, Fraser Island,

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
100000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
10000 CZK

Number of supported months:
10

Total number of months:
10

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
My personal savings

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
1267 AUD

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 AUD

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 AUD

c/ amount of other fees (which):
1267 AUD

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
1000 AUD

a/ of which for accommodation:
640 AUD

b/ of which for catering:
200 AUD

c/ travel and recreation:
160 AUD

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
72 Units

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
42

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
In LA, all subjects are recognised as D subjects, however the recognition have not been done yet

What problems did you have with recognition?:
None yet

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
2

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
1

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
No

What would you recommend to take with you:
Nothing special if anything you can buy it there

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
The attitude of the teacher is more informal

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Not many events for internationals

Further comments: