Materials Engineering is a field that provides many opportunities both to work and to study abroad.
Undergraduates are able to spend time overseas as part of their study and Materials Science & Engineering at UNSW welcomes a number of exchange students every year.
Students have recently spent time in Sweden, Germany, Canada and Korea but there are many more opportunities as well.
Further information can be found for local students from the UNSW Exchange service or for international students at UNSW International.
David Trinh - Exchange in Sweden
Where did you go on exchange?
- The Royal Institute of Technology Sweden (KTH)
Why did you go on exchange?
- I'd never been overseas before and I wanted to see something new.
What were the highlights of your trip?
- Discovering a totally new culture and way of thinking.
- Backpacking around Europe afterwards.
- The midnight sun.
- Stockholm - truly a beautiful city.
- Meeting the crazy Swedes
What was a hard/difficult thing during your trip?
- The lack of good ASIAN food and cheap places to eat.
- The autumn weather (no Sun for a MONTH).
- Not being old enough to get into (some) pubs.
- Breaking open the quieter Swedes
What would you say to someone considering going on exchange?
- Decide early - it takes money to go on exchange.
- Be Stubborn - Never let rules stop you, don't always turn away when people say no.
- Be Flexible - There is always a solution to every problem or someone willing to help you
- Remember - You are on holidays too while on exchange, why not go backpacking around Europe or the US ?
- Blend in - You are there to be a part of the culture, don't just hang around the other exchange students.
Jami Walsh - Exchange in Germany
Where did you go on exchange?
- I went to the Technical University of Aachen in Germany (Rheinisch-Westphalisch Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen) Aachen is a lovely old town about 1 hour from Cologne (and 3 hours from Paris on an express train!). It is also very close to 3 land point - where Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium all meet.
Why did you go on exchange?
- Having learnt a bit of German at school, it was my dream since I was 14 to go on exchange to Germany . I really wanted to learn another language properly and experience a different culture. I could not afford it while I was at school, so when I found out I could do exchange while at uni I was really excited. I've always wanted to travel around Europe too, so this was a great chance to get there.
What were the highlights of your trip?
- Progressing in my German knowledge from a very basic level to being able to have meaningful conversations about relationships, politics, science, religion etc.
- Getting to see so many wonderful cities around Europe , and being amazed by standing in churches over 1000 years old
- Making some wonderful friends from all around the world who I am welcome to stay with (in Czech Republic , Ireland , Holland , Switzerland , Turkey , Indonesia , China and of course Germany )
- Learning and experiencing the German culture - especially student life. In some ways it is very different to Australian culture, but in other ways quite similar
What was a hard/difficult thing during your trip?
- Trying to express myself when my German was not so good.
- It takes a lot longer to make friends when you have a language and culture barrier - After 6 months I was just starting to become good friends with some people and then I had to leave :( Leaving was definately a hard thing.
What would you say to someone considering going on exchange?
- Do it!!! Its the best thing you'll ever do and now is the best time to do it! Start planning now and starting saving up now.
- Don't give up if you come across barriers to you going - I went to a University that was not partners with UNSW. I would recommend going through the exchange office at UNSW to a partner University, but it's not the only way. If you can do it, go for a year - 6 months is good but a year would have been better.
