Kari Gjelsnes
Home country: Norway
Program: Exchange/Karlstads Universitet Sweden
Kari Gjelsnes had always wanted to study overseas, and especially in Australia.
Positive reports from former USC students, and the institutional relationship between Karlstads University and USC, helped Kari make the decision to study on the Sunshine Coast.
“I read some information about USC, and got in touch with a former USC student, and got a very positive impression.” she says.
“So I decided to look up the courses and found a lot of interesting subjects to choose from.
“I think that what attracted me most was that USC was a rather small and personal university. I got very good service and informative help from everyone I contacted about all the questions I had in my mind about studies and moving to another country.”
“Of course, it was very attractive with a University close to the beach in sunny and warm Australia!”
On her arrival on the Sunshine Coast, Kari discovered that USC offered just what she was expecting.
“I like that USC is a personal university,” she says.
“You get a good chance to easily meet new friends, good study partners and the teachers are always available for a talk.”
“I have been a student at USC for almost two and a half months and have only had positive and friendly experiences with students, teachers and administration. Of course, it is still very cool that there are kangaroos around the University!”
From academic support to the social aspects of life at USC, Kari has found staff to be helpful in a variety of ways.
“IR has helped me to book trips away for the weekends, accommodation for my family when they are visiting, and to keep in contact with my home institution,” Kari says.
“I have had a lot of help from Student Services staff with my assignments and assignment writing. When I book an appointment with them, they read through my work and give me very useful feedback.”
Kari has also taken the opportunity to become involved in a number of International Relations activities.
“I have participated in IR activities such as the Sunday Breakfast and bus tour around the Sunshine Coast, and the Fraser Island trip,” she says.
“The breakfast was a very nice start for the semester and a perfect opportunity to see the Coast and to get to know the other international students. Fraser Island was a very nice trip, which I can highly recommend. The weekend was very well arranged for a good price, and Fraser Island is such a beautiful and rare place that you have to visit while staying on the Coast.”
“At the University, I have been participating in some CHASE (Centre for Healthy Activities, Sport and Exercise) activities, which have been very pleasant and are at a good student price. I can especially recommend Pilates.”
Kari chose to live in student accommodation, and has found the location convenient and the environment conducive to making friends.
“It has been an interesting experience to share a kitchen and common area with people I didn’t know before and to learn about other cultures,” she says.
“It is very positive that it is so close to the Uni, and a lot of students live there, making it very social. There is always something to do or someone to hang out with.”
Kari feels her experiences at USC have improved her English language skills and enhanced her cultural knowledge.
“I have definitely gained better English skills after studying at USC,” Kari says.
“I think I will not only have the cultural insight about Australia, but also about many other countries . . . because of the huge number of international students that study here.”
“I would highly recommend USC for its friendly environment, good study and learning opportunities, and it is a personal university which is very likeable.”