Mikaela Karppelin from Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) studying abroad at USC Sunshine Coast

What’s crackalackin mates?! I am Mikaela Karppelin from Finland, studying a bachelor’s degree in public health with physical activity and nutrition at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). My exchange in Australia, Sunshine Coast was one of the best experiences I have had in my life, let me tell you why. Prior the exchange …

Tiina from Finland: Last thoughts about my Australian experience

Hi there, how’s it going? I hope all of you have had a fabulous Christmas time and relaxing holidays so far. I thought I would share a few last thoughts with you before my time at the USC is officially over. When I first arrived in Australia and met new local people, they would always …

Tiina from Finland: Studying in Australia and in Finland

School is almost over! This semester has gone by really fast. It feels like yesterday when I first arrived at the University of the Sunshine Coast four months ago, very excited about what the semester would bring. As I told you earlier, my home university in Finland has a bilateral agreement for exchange with the …

Tiina from Finland: A visit to a fruit & veg store

I would like to tell you a little about my visit to Erbacher’s, a fruit & veg store. It is a sensational place definitely worth a visit (or two, or three...) – if you just get the chance, go there! I first went there with my Australian housemate during my first week here on the …

Tiina from Finland: Eumundi markets

We are all now having a busy time at the uni with finishing our assignments and revising for the upcoming exams. Here is a tip for you if you feel you need some time off from studying: Visit the Eumundi markets. This is why I like the Sunshine Coast region so much; it is so …

Tiina from Finland: Sightseeing in Sydney

Sydney. I really do not know where to start – perhaps just from the beginning? When I first came to Australia three months ago, I flew to Sydney. I was fortunate to have a friend to travel with as the flights from Finland (which is far away up in the north) down to Australia did …

Tiina from Finland: A visit to Brisbane

Brisbane definitely deserves its own post. It is an amazing city! We went there on a day trip for the first day of the Brisbane Festival, especially to see the fabulous fireworks. This was also my first time in Brisbane, so it was great to see the city buzzing with happy people. It was like …

Tiina from Finland: Rainy day remedy

Heavy rain. Severe thunderstorm warning. Possibility of hail. There has been some serious speculation amongst international students about the origins of the name “Sunshine Coast”. As we all know, even if we do not always admit it, the name of the university (and the region) was one of the aspects that drew our attention in …

Tiina from Finland: First impressions in Australia

G’day mate, and hi to everybody! I am Tiina (yes, with double i) from Finland, and I would like to share a few of my experiences here at USC and on the Sunshine Coast with you. I am here on exchange; my home university has a bilateral agreement with USC – which made it possible …

Anna from the University of Eastern Finland: Souvenir shopping

One Saturday we decided to do some souvenir shopping with a group of friends. First we drove to Aussie World and did some shopping there. The picture below is from Ettamogah Pub which is in the Aussie World. I was told that it is a really famous pub. After Aussie World we went to Eumundi …

Anna from the University of Eastern Finland: Living at Varsity

I live at Varsity Apartments close to the campus. I was positively surprised when I first arrived there. I had a few doubts about student accommodation and living in a shared Apartment complex, which I hadn’t experienced before, but the apartments are nice and I especially like that I have my own room and bathroom. …

Anna from the University of Eastern Finland: Australian experiences

Hi, my name is Anna. I’m from the University of Eastern Finland and came to the Sunshine Coast and USC to get new experiences. This is the first time in Australia for me (and outside Europe) so I was really excited to come here. Let me show you some of the best moments so far.   Zoo: …