At Westminster we support our students in gaining valuable global experience through a range of study abroad opportunities, including full-year and semester exchange programmes. One student who recently took part in an exchange is Victoria, a Software Engineering with Electronics BEng student, currently studying at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in Australia for a semester.

Victoria has written about her time on exchange so far, sharing her honest insights into academic life, cultural differences, and the exciting opportunities she’s had “down under.”

Academic life

Taking part in an exchange was something I’d set my sights on from the moment I joined Westminster and I’m so glad I followed through. I’m writing this from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where I’ve been studying for almost three months and it’s been an incredible experience so far!

The teaching style here is definitely different from what I was used to at Westminster, most of my lectures are delivered online, which was an adjustment at first, but it’s given me a lot more flexibility in how I manage my week.

While the academic setup here is a bit different, as I haven’t met all my lecturers in person, I’ve found support in other ways. In-person lab sessions have been especially useful, where I get to demo my projects, ask questions, and get hands-on help. Some of these labs are even run by students who’ve previously taken the course, which brings a great peer-learning dynamic. There are also weekly help sessions that give extra academic support.

What really stands out about UTS is its amazing city campus, right in the heart of Sydney! The university has over 60 buildings, with dedicated spaces for different faculties and a huge range of study areas. When you need a break, there’s a vibrant food court and frequent student events.

This exchange has opened the door to so many new experiences, both academically and personally and I’m excited to share more of the awesome things I’ve discovered here in Australia!

Nature and wildlife

One of the highlights of my time here so far has been visiting the Blue Mountains, a vast and stunning natural area not far from central Sydney. Known for its scenic hiking trails and lookout points, I’ve already been twice, and each time I’m reminded of how truly beautiful nature is here. On one of the hikes, I even spotted a wild wallaby, and there were natural pools perfect for a refreshing swim.

Back in the city, you don’t usually see large animals or insects, but I was surprised by some of the local wildlife. I didn’t expect to see huge bats flying overhead or hanging in the trees, especially in the middle of the city! Another unexpected sight was the Ibis birds. The first time I saw one was just outside the airport, and of course, I did the typical tourist thing and snapped a photo.

UTS accommodation hosted a carnival where I had the chance to hold a python and a baby crocodile. Did you know a baby crocodile has a bite 6 times stronger than a dog?

For me, a must see while on exchange in Australia is to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Although I didn’t see a shark or ray, I was still so amazed by how close I could get to fish just going about their day.

The City
Sydney is an incredibly beautiful and vibrant city. Some of my favourite spots for a walk are around the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, both as stunning in person as they are in photos. The city is also home to some amazing beaches, with Bondi Beach being a must-visit. Whether it’s for a swim, surf, or just to relax by the water, there’s always a good reason to head to the coast. With so many beaches to choose from, it feels like there’s a new adventure around every corner.

Making Connections
I’m grateful that I was able to make friends so quickly after arriving. I’m staying in UTS student accommodation and the experience has been incredibly positive. I live in a shared apartment and feel lucky to be with such great people, one of my flatmates actually became my first friend here! Everyone studies something different and has their own schedule, but we always find time to catch up and hang out when we can.

There are also weekly events, which made it super easy to meet new people, especially in those first couple of weeks. There’s a large international student community in the building, so I connected with lots of people who, like me, arrived not knowing anyone. There’s also a good mix of Australian students from different parts of the country, which has helped me learn more about the culture beyond Sydney.

Thanks to the friends I’ve made here, I’ve never felt lonely. There’s always someone around who’s up for an adventure, a study session, or just a chat. Plus, with other universities and student accommodations nearby, I’ve also met plenty of people outside of UTS, which has really expanded my circle.

Food

Just like London, Sydney is very multicultural. I have been able to try all kinds of food while here. There is a weekly night market in Chinatown, and for Ramadan, there was a Ramadan night market too! Frozen yogurt and acai are popular here and there are many shops dedicated to these.

As eating every meal out is not economical, I cook many meals too. My favorite place to buy fresh produce is from a local market. I love the variety as many of the veg and fruit I buy here either aren’t readily available in London or are expensive.

As my semester here hasn’t ended yet, I look forward to experiencing even more. While I spend koala-ty time exploring, I remember what Steve Irwin once said “Yeah, I’m a thrill seeker, but crikey, education’s the most important thing.” (I have a lot of uni work too).

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About Westminster

As one of the most diverse universities in the UK, we are a global university with London energy, with more than 19,000 students from 169 countries. To find out more about our Computer Science and Engineering courses, visit our website.