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Student Profiles
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Adil Akbar Adam Camille Rustum - Malaysia
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronic)
“As a Muslim who had spent time in other western cities that weren't particularly multicultural, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a thriving Islamic community when I arrived in Adelaide. There are several mosques dotted around the city and suburbs, and one is only a five-minute walk from where I live.
“The University has a prayer room in the Union Building, which is a great place to pray, relax and chat with friends from all over the world. A lot of the cafés and restaurants serve halal food and it's easy to find the supplies I need to cook at home. Adelaide is safer than most cities, and has a beautiful landscape with lots of parks. It's also close to the beach, where I sometimes go crabbing with friends. I have found the people here very friendly and open, and there's a sense of respect and understanding between cultures. It makes it easy to cooperate with each other.”
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Jerome Arguelles - Canada
Bachelor of Arts (Social Cultural Anthropology) - Student Exchange - University of Toronto
"Deciding to study abroad is a big decision, so I did a lot of research before settling on a destination. I first heard about Adelaide via word-of-mouth – the reports were that it was a city with great weather, lots of culture and a relaxed pace of life.
"I'd also heard good things about the University of Adelaide – as well as being one of the Group of Eight, it has a reputation for being one of Australia's more progressive universities.
"Still, before I came I had a lot of reservations – would I like it, would my research be correct? The fact is there are some things you can't prepare for, you just have to experience them. I haven't regretted coming to Adelaide for a minute, and I'd absolutely recommend it to other Canadians.
"I found it easy to adapt to the new academic environment – it's quite similar to Canada, but there are some differences. In Australia essays and assignments are longer, but I've been taking 2-3 courses a semester, whereas back home I took 4-5 subjects at a time. The University has about 20,000 students – enough to make it lively, but also small enough to have a real sense of community.
"There are plenty of clubs and activities to get involved with on campus. I'm the film sub editor on the student newspaper, On Dit, which is giving me some great hands-on experience, not to mention the free movie tickets.
"Before I left home I booked my accommodation at the University's Citi townhouses. They are only 10 minutes from campus and close to Chinatown, the Central Market, lots of pubs and cafes, as well as good shopping and public transport. The townhouses are modern and comfortable and I think they are a huge bargain.
"One of my favourite Adelaide experiences has got to be visiting Cleland Conservation and Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills – I've never seen anything like it! It's a chance to get close to native animals like kangaroos and koalas – you can pat and feed them and just hang out with them in a beautiful open bush setting.
"Another Adelaide experience I'd recommend is soaking up the culture at some of the many festivals. There are a lot of free events, so being on a student's budget doesn't preclude you from having a good time.
"Adelaide is a great place to do things that you want to do for yourself. It gives you space to be yourself. The people are friendly, the city is safe, and if you qualify for a student working visa and find part time employment, the wages are excellent. All these factors add up to make Adelaide an ideal place to live and study, because you're not stressed out all the time."
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Carolin Plewa - Germany
“I originally came to the University of Adelaide as part of a cross-institutional research project. The project lasted for a year but I loved the place so much that I decided to stay in Adelaide for my PhD studies.
“Adelaide is a very liveable city - it's affordable, it's fun and it's easy to meet people. The School of Commerce has been absolutely fantastic. It has a special culture that is very open and integrative. There are staff and students from all over the world, and we get along very well even though we're from different disciplines and backgrounds.
“My supervisor, Professor Pascale Quester, was fantastic. Her academic expertise helped immensely, and by the end of my studies I had three refereed journal articles published, several others in the pipeline, and had presented at 10 international conferences. When I finished my thesis, I had several job offers to choose from, both from academia and industry. I enjoyed my time here so much that I decided to accept a position at Adelaide as an Associate Lecturer.”
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Hyojin Kim - Korea
Student Exchange - Korea University
“I don't think I could find any better place to study than Adelaide. Everything is so well connected in terms of transport and accommodation. It only takes me a few minutes to get to uni, and the campus is right in the city close to shopping, saving me a lot of time. The best thing is the nature. It's such a contrast to other Asian cities that are packed with buildings, cars and people. I only have to travel 20 minutes to go bushwalking, and if you want to go out clubbing or to restaurants there are plenty of choices as well.
“The academic environment is fantastic and very different from Korea. I really enjoy the tutorials - they're a chance to talk and share ideas, which is really important to me as a politics student.
“The University of Adelaide has a lot of excellent support services. It was nice to have someone meet me at the airport when I first arrived, and I have often taken advantage of the security service, which drops me home to my door when I've been studying late on campus.”
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Jan Huckenbeck - Germany
Study Abroad - University of Dortmund
“I want to work in the automotive industry, so when I decided to study abroad in Australia I found the most relevant subjects were offered here at the University of Adelaide. I like the fact that my subjects involve a lot of practical work, and everyone is just so helpful, from the support staff to the professors.
“Before I arrived I was so organised and wanted to plan every detail, but when I got here it all worked out so easily and I realised I needn't have worried. The Orientation program was really good, and I used the University Accommodation Service to find a great place to live - only 15 minutes from the city and the beach!
“I'm a social person, and Adelaide is great for that - there are lots of live music venues and festivals. I've joined the University soccer club and the waterskiing club, and have been on some great trips and made a lot of friends.”
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Jessie Gunson - England
“I had finished my Masters and was working as a research assistant in England when I started thinking about doing a PhD. I did some research into supervisors and found Professor Margie Ripper, who is one of the key researchers in my field. We started emailing and she suggested I apply for a scholarship at Adelaide, which I did - and I got it!
“Besides the reputation of the University itself, the other deciding factor for me was location. I was looking for a city that wasn't overbearing but was also a strong university city. There's so much going on in Adelaide and a lot of people don't realise how fantastic it is. I've enjoyed going to all the festivals, and as a wine lover it's been great being so close to so many famous wine regions.
“The support offered by the University has been fantastic. The Graduate Centre is a wonderful resource with absolutely brilliant staff - if you have any issues, you can just give them a call or drop in - they remember who you are and are always extremely helpful.”
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Karolina Gajewski - Canada
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) - Student Exchange - University of Calgary
“Travelling and studying aborad provides the sort of education that no book, movie or second party could ever teach. My experience in Australia has given me a new understanding of the world, life and my own identity.
“Adelaide has a lot in common with Calgary yet there are some wonderful subtleties that make it a welcome change. The music and nightlife scenes are quite different to back home - I've been charged creatively, socially and culturally by the vibrant myriad of festivals and local talent, and enjoyed immersing myself in the dining and coffee culture.
“Studying at the University of Adelaide has opened me up to a different intellectual mindset. It's easy to be inspired because so many of the professors are enthralled in their areas of expertise and share their knowledge willingly and passionately. The campus is scattered with lovely old buildings, creating an atmosphere of historical reference and an ambiance of knowledge.
“I've taken my study abroad opportunity to step away from the courses directly related to my major and have dipped into Philosophy and English, both of which have broadened my perspective of the arts and helped me realize the magic of thoughts and expression.
“My advice to other international students is to be open to change and the boundless opportunities of life. Choose to define yourself and let that choice open the doors to your dreams. Always question, always push yourself and step out of your boundaries, in your mind and your land. There is so much out there: challenge yourself to discover both it and yourself.”
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Katharine Innes - USA
“Explore or get involved! When I first arrived I picked up fliers and news sheets wherever I went. Through these I found out what was going on - including the famous South Australian Living Artists Festival in August - and got a better sense of Adelaide.
“I also joined the uni Theatre Guild - I went to a show and ended up working on the next production. I've made many friends and found a comfortable community in which to hang out.
“One of my favourite things about the University of Adelaide is its close proximity to so many great places - the State Library, Migration Museum, South Australian Museum and Art Gallery - and they're all free.”
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Kristofer Helgen - USA
“After completing my undergraduate studies at Harvard, I won a Fulbright Fellowship, and basically chose Adelaide for a particular supervisor, Professor Tim Flannery. He's opened the doors to a lot of opportunities and I've been able to benefit from his wealth of experience.
“The lifestyle, the culture and the intellectual environment all add up to make Adelaide an ideal place to study. The city has really good institutions - libraries, art galleries, museums, and universities, and they are all centred in one part of town, which gives it a great feel.
“Adelaide is a very pleasant place to live, with a lot of greenery and plenty of activities. It's also much more cost effective compared to other places I could have lived, like Sydney or New York. The research funding and scholarship stipend stretched further than they might have, and it was a convenient base from which to travel north for field trips.”
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Jong Wook Lee - Korea
“I didn't know much about Australia when I first started looking for the right place to study, but the University of Adelaide kept coming up as a leader in my field.
“I emailed Dr Michael Teubner from the School of Mathematical Sciences and he was very encouraging, offering to supervise my research into computational fluid dynamics, and suggesting that I apply for a scholarship at Adelaide. I won the scholarship and three years later here I am, with my PhD almost complete.
“I brought my family with me to Adelaide, and we all settled in quickly. I like Adelaide a lot. It's a good size, it's easy to get around and the people are very friendly.”
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Liu, Xiao Chun - China
Masters of Applied Economics (International)
“I have found the teaching and learning environment to be more active than I expected.
I feel free to question and enter into debate. I really enjoy the atmosphere of new experiences and challenges that studying in Adelaide brings.”
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Nancy Planitzer - USA
Bachelor of Arts (Media) - Student Exchange - Pitzer College, California
“My projects have covered everything from script writing and camera operation to lighting, sound and editing. It's all on industry-standard equipment and programs, with industry-experienced lecturers and tutors. "Initially I considered studying elsewhere but I doubt I would have had as much fun as I have had here in Adelaide. It's a really nice place to be, with the University set on a beautiful campus in the middle of a charming, garden-filled city.
“Adelaide compares well with any other major city, but what I love most about it is that it's not too big to get around. There's public transport and the CBD is compact enough that you can walk virtually everywhere. "My favourite Adelaide experience? It would have to be going to an Australian Rules football game where the Adelaide Crows beat the Western Bulldogs, that was awesome. It's such a big thing over here and it was really fun to be a part of it.
“My advice to other exchange students would be to go for it. Although coming to another country can be scary, it's the scary things that are usually the most fun. Self-confidence is one of the best things you stand to gain from taking part in an exchange - it's incredible what I've learnt I'm personally capable of.”
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Noriko Tomisawa - Japan
Study Abroad - Waseda University
“It's been my dream since childhood to study abroad, and part of the reason I chose the University of Adelaide was the choice of environmental courses on offer. I hope to work in environmental policy back in Japan, and I know the English skills and the global perspective I've gained here will be very useful in my future career.
“Adelaide is a really good place to live. It's more affordable than Sydney and Melbourne and that allows me to concentrate more on my studies. The best thing is the people - they are really friendly. For the first month I lived with a local family, which was a great way to settle in quickly.
“The University has been very supportive. If I have any trouble I know I can just ask a tutor or lecturer or the International Student Centre for help. Adelaide is a world away from my life back in Japan, but I haven't experienced much of a culture shock - I just enjoy the difference!”
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Sukhmani Khorana - India
“Coming to Adelaide was my first overseas experience, so it took some getting used to but now it's like a second home. You bump into people you know all the time, you feel welcome and there's a sense of familiarity that builds up after a few months. It's easy to get around and it's much more affordable than cities like Melbourne and Sydney. After an initial period in a hostel I moved into private rental accommodation and was impressed with what was available.
“The University has been very supportive. I did an eight month internship writing for University publications with the Marketing and Strategic Communications Office, sub-edited for the student union magazine, and was Media Officer for the Overseas Students' Association - all invaluable experiences.”
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Taylor Ryan - Canada
“I was looking for a one-year postgraduate teaching qualification, and Adelaide had that, plus it's a well-respected Group of Eight university with a reputation for being one of the best. The program is comprehensive, striking the right balance between theory and practical experience, and I've found the lecturers to be really helpful and accommodating.
“When I first arrived in Adelaide I felt right away that I had made the right choice. I was glad I had booked the University's Meet and Greet service - it was much less daunting to touch down after a long flight knowing that someone was waiting at the airport to take me to my accommodation.
“I'm living at the University of Adelaide Village, which I'd definitely recommend. It's a great way to meet people from all over the world, it's close to the University, Chinatown and the beach, and the accommodation itself is nice and new.
“I really like Adelaide as a city because everyone is friendly and it's very multicultural. It's a big city that has everything, but it's not too crowded or expensive. It's right in the middle of everything and is a great base to see Australia from - so far I've been to Kangaroo Island, North Queensland and down the East Coast, and I'm also looking forward to trips to the Riverland and central Australia.
“Australians are quite similar to Canadians in a lot of ways - they have a similar sense of humour and they both love their sports. I've joined the University surf club, and I even play ice hockey on Sunday, which is something that I didn't think I'd have the chance to do over here.
“My advice to anyone considering coming to study in Adelaide would be to go for it - it's worth it. Keep an open mind and you'll learn so much about yourself, other people, and another part of the world.”
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Toby Tennent - England
Bachelor of Science (Viticulture)
“I chose the University of Adelaide because it's the best place in the English speaking world to study viticulture. The city is very well situated, close to world-renowned wineries in the Barossa, Clare Valley and Coonawarra districts, as well as a lot of smaller, progressive wine producers.
“I've worked in vineyards in Portugal and New Zealand and what stands apart about the South Australian wine industry is its focus. There is a greater emphasis on research and perfecting every aspect of wine production. The University has its own vineyard and winery at Waite.
“As a city, Adelaide is pretty much perfect. It's a nice environment for learning and the people are great. My advice is to always look for the best. You'll find it here.”
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Virginie Léonce - France
Student Exchange - Université Stendhal
“I'm one of the first people from my university to come to the University of Adelaide as an exchange student, but it was easy to apply, and once I got here I had all the support I needed. The campus has wonderful buildings and grounds, and it's all very compact and convenient. There are so many study topics to choose from, and I really appreciate the Asian subjects that are not available back home. The lecturers are very open and approachable - you feel free to ask questions and exchange ideas.
“I've been to Melbourne and Perth, but found Adelaide to be more easygoing. It has all the facilities of a modern city, with the charm of a smaller town. It's easy to meet people and there are no boundaries between the different social classes and ethnic communities. There are a lot of opportunities here and people are interested in new ideas. I was so impressed by the cultural mix that I organised a multicultural conference and concert, bringing people together from different communities to share their art, dance, music and food.”
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Wenke Wilhelms - Germany
“After such a long flight it was great to arrive in Adelaide and have someone from the University meet me at the airport and take me to my accommodation. When you are tired, it's great to know that someone is looking out for you. I chose Adelaide because of the good situation of the University. I looked into the fields that I'm interested in and came to where the experts were. I wanted to study under them. Plus, the living costs here are not as huge as Sydney!
“My advice: Go there! Find out what the country is about and enjoy your time. It's always a good experience to live in another country and it's definitely worth it.”
Nicholas Nyanjom Kwenda - Kenya