3 Places to Stay on the Sunshine Coast during your Studies
Hello, my name is Patricia Mueller and I’m studying business management at Hochschule Koblenz in Germany. I’m in Australia for one year for my double degree in business.
As I knew that I would stay in Australia for a really long time and I’m really interested in learning about other cultures, I had a look on what accommodation opportunities that were available next to the USC campus.
One option is three different student accommodations: Varsity Apartments, UniCentral or The Village, only 5 minutes away from campus. International students and local students share kitchen and living room with 3 roommates. The differences between the student accommodations apply, but they are minor. The application is an easy online registration.
Another- probably cheaper option: living in private accommodation, solo or in a shared apartment. You will meet locals and/or students, and the place might be more quiet. However, private accommodation does not include the option of security guards as the student accommodation complexes (e.g. if you lock yourself out of your room, they can open it up for you after hours).
The third opportunity is staying with a family. Two options apply: Home stay with food included and living with the family, or staying in a room in the family’s house excluding food and living on your own. This opportunity is cheaper and you will have the opportunity to get to know the Australian or family’s culture, but you might be further away from campus, depending on where you stay.
To find an accommodation, I had a look a few weeks before I left Germany on websites like Flatmates, Gumtree and Realestate. Compared to finding an accommodation at the student accommodation complexes, you have to look for a room on your own. However, regardless of where you’re gonna stay, the bus shuttle Con-X-ion is very easy to organise and it will take you to your new home from Brisbane Airport when you arrive.
I decided to stay in an Australian family including food, a bike and trips on the weekends. I’m really lucky with my family. The kids are in my age so we spend nice times together. We go on day trips, to the beach, small hikes or just spend the evening at home together. The family also supports me in my studies, which is really helpful the first days in terms of settling down and get some insight information about Australia and the University.
The stay in Australia has a formative influence for your personality and future career. I look forward to my second semester here at USC!
– Patricia Mueller @piiinnz
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