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Holly Dye
Home country: USA
Holly Dye researched her Australian study options and found that the combination of a beautiful environment and a good academic match at USC met her needs best.
“I looked at several schools in Australia before choosing USC,” Holly says. “I was attracted to the beautiful beaches and loved the fact there was a nature reserve in the area. I also love that there are kangaroos on the campus.
“I was able to transfer the courses for my degree and receive sufficient help with my studies when I need it the most.”
Holly says her experience at USC is being enhanced by the friendships she is making. “I love meeting new people from around the world. It is so awesome how you can relate with so many people and you become friends so quickly,” Holly says.
USC International Relations staff have been welcoming and helpful.
“The staff at IR are so helpful. I had problems with my overseas health insurance and they worked with me and helped get it all fixed. Also, I had to apply for a permission to work visa and they guided me through the steps and made it a very easy process,” Holly says.
“Anytime I need help, I know that I can go to IR and find someone that is more than happy to help me with my problem.”
Holly is enjoying the courses she has chosen to study at USC, and says these are quite different to those offered at home. “So far I have enjoyed all of my courses,” Holly says.
“My Tourism class is very different from any class I have taken at my home university, the Business Law class is very interesting, and the Indigenous Australia course is eye-opening to the circumstances of the Indigenous people of Australia.
“It is hard to pick a favourite course, because I enjoy them all.”
Holly has participated in a number of organised activities and has plans for more. “I participated in the Fraser Island trip and the tour around the Sunshine Coast," she says. "I will be attending other IR activities such as the Barrier Reef trip and others.”
USC activities are providing some of her most memorable experiences.
“So far all of these experiences have been unforgettable and I would love to relive them again and again," Holly says. "It was great sharing such wonderful experiences with the friends you meet while at USC.”
From the classroom to the great outdoors, Holly has found there is plenty to do on the Sunshine Coast.
“I enjoy learning to surf and going on scuba diving trips," she says. "Also, I really enjoy shopping at the Plaza (Sunshine Plaza)! There is so much to do on the Sunshine Coast.
“I participated in a shark dive which is available to certified and non-certified divers! That was an experience that I will never forget. Also, USC is not far from Brisbane which has tons to offer!”
Holly says she is glad she decided to live in student accommodation at UniCentral.
“I am living at UniCentral and I love it. You become friends with so many people and you don’t have far to go if you want to talk or hang out with someone. You are never bored there,” she says.