Application process

The application process is very easy with the help of MicroEDU. I also submitted my application relatively late, but in the end the application was successful. Simply submit all the necessary documents to MicroEDU to apply. MicroEDU takes care of the contact with Bond University for you.

Getting there

The flight should be booked as early as possible. When booking, please note that the airlines sometimes differ in the free baggage allowance. I flew with Singapore Airlines and was able to take 30kg baggage and 7kg hand baggage with me. The flight is available from around € 1,100.

Most students travel to Brisbane, so after the long flight you can expect a two-hour train ride and at least one bus ride to the respective accommodation. That’s why I decided to fly directly to the local airport in the Coolangatta district. There you can either take a taxi to your accommodation or a bus, where you have to change at the “Broadbeach South station” stop.

Accommodation

Most Bond University students live in either Varsity Shores (http://www.varsityshores.com.au/) or The Reserve (http://www.thereserve.com.au/). This is of course the quickest way to get in touch with other students. However, you should apply for a room relatively early. I booked my semester relatively late through MicroEDU. So I had to find alternative accommodation. Ultimately, I booked accommodation at Varsity Apartments on Main (http://www.varsityonmain.com.au/). Some students still live there. However, I found it rather difficult to get in touch. The price level is roughly the same for the three accommodations mentioned, but significantly more expensive than in Germany.

The university can be reached on foot from all three accommodations. The furthest away is Varsity Apartments on Main. It takes about 10 minutes. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but 10 minutes with a backpack and in the blazing Australian sun should not be underestimated. J

University

The biggest difference compared to my home university was in the small courses, ie the number of participants fluctuated between 15 and 25 people. On the one hand, this promoted open communication with the respective lecturer, on the other hand, alternative work techniques such as group work and presentations could be incorporated into the course process.

Another, but positive, difference to my home university was the performance appraisal. Each grade was made up of several parts, ie the workload was distributed over the semester. Two exams were written in all courses; one in the middle of the semester, the other at the end of the semester. There were also other components such as case studies, homework, presentations or group work. The distribution of the workload forces you to stay on the ball all the time. This makes learning for the exams much easier and faster.

Comment

10 CP at Bond University correspond to 7.5 ECTS, ie you need four courses to have the full workload recognized for a German semester. However, most Bond students only take 3 courses per semester.

I have taken the following courses:

• Managerial Finance
• Corporate finance
• Accounting principles
• Financial accounting

Overall, the courses at Bond University do not live from theory as they do at a German university, but are clearly designed to be practical. I found the course level to be demanding, ie you should always stay on the ball so as not to lose touch. It is positive that there are no nasty surprises in one of the exams (both Midterm and Final Exam) gave. If you have prepared yourself with the materials provided by the respective course instructor, nothing should stand in the way of a good grade.

Leisure

The Gold Coast offers a variety of recreational opportunities. On the one hand you can enjoy your time on the beach, on the other hand there are other attractions nearby. During the semester, I found traveling and spending time in my free time to be rather difficult because I often had to work on assignments for the various courses. I would plan at least a month after the semester to be able to travel to Australia without the time pressure.

• Australia is a major country in Oceania continent. For information about Oceania, please visit hyperrestaurant.

However, Bond University offers many recreational opportunities. On the one hand there are various sports clubs such as badminton, volleyball or basketball. I was very active in the Bond University gym. There is also a party every Thursday at Don’s (Bond University bar). Often afterwards they go to a club in Surfers Paradise.

Weather & best time for a semester

I can recommend the semester in the German winter semester. The semester would take place at Bond University from September through December. This is the time of year when the Gold Coast has its best weather. However, I have been told by some Bond students that at this time of the year the Bond Campus is “overrun” by German students, ie there is a possibility that you live in a German clique in Australia and that you don’t really have the experience of a semester abroad.

My semester took place from January to April. The weather was still very good overall. However, there were also several rainy days and at the end of the semester the temperatures dropped noticeably. You should take some sweaters or a slightly thicker jacket with you. Of course there were also some Germans in three of my four courses, but there were a maximum of two.

In summary, I can only recommend the semester abroad at Bond University. On the one hand I learned a lot, on the other hand I was able to gain a lot of new impressions and experiences.