Student Stories | The University of Adelaide College

Sijia
Guo

Foundation Studies

China

Bachelor of Agricultural Studies

"Adelaide is a great city to study in"

I chose to study in Adelaide as the University of Adelaide has the best agricultural degree in the southern hemisphere. Adelaide is a great city to study in as it is not too big or too small so it is easy to travel around while still having enough people to make it a vivid city.

Studying at the College was great due to the encouragement and support I received from teachers with my study and life path. The teachers are truly student focused at the College, and their advice could always be trusted. I didn’t find any barriers to communicating with them even though we are from different backgrounds. They were always patient, helpful and encouraging.

Rahul
Johnson

Foundation Studies

India

Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)

"From my first day at the University of Adelaide College until the last, the College ensured that a great standard of education was given to each and every student."

As an international student, the University of Adelaide College provided with the perfect platform to not only learn about Australia, which back then felt like a culturally foreign place to me, but to also further my education. The teachers in particular do a wonderful job of being both a teacher as well as a friend to students who are new to the country.

The beauty of Adelaide is in its serenity, which in my opinion works wonders when it comes to providing a student an educational environment. From the busy city life of the CBD to the peacefulness of the suburbs, Adelaide has much to offer that picking a single favourite thing about Adelaide is impossible.

Vinuri
Silva

Foundation Studies

Sri Lanka

Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology)

"Academically, the College provides all the knowledge for how to face the challenges of university "

I wanted to study at the University of Adelaide because my mother and sister studied there. The University of Adelaide College was the best way for me to achieve that. I found the College very different and challenging in a good way. The teachers here are very nice and friendly. Where I come from, we are afraid of the teachers. But here, they’re like friends. I have learnt a lot academically and also about myself and I’ve also made friendships that will last a lifetime. Studying in Adelaide has been life changing. I've faced many new experiences and learnt to be independent. I like the people here, they are very outgoing, friendly and also very helpful. You can get a sense of this in the staff; if we have a problem, they will solve it or help us solve it.

Mohdammed
Nasser
Altooqi

English Language

Oman

Bachelor of Science (Chemical Engineering)

"I’ve learned so many things studying here and I would recommend anyone looking for a good system of study to attend the University of Adelaide College"

I came to the College because the Omani consulate organised for me to come here. I’ve found the experience very interesting. The class timetable was great with mostly morning classes, giving me free time in the afternoon to study and socialise. I think that Adelaide is a great place for students to study because of the relaxing atmosphere. The public transport is great too. I’ve learned so many things studying here and I would recommend anyone looking for a good system of study to attend the University of Adelaide College.

Harley
Zhang

Foundation Studies

China

Bachelor of Commerce - International Business

CEO of a top 100 company

"It was more than just a great study experience that the College left me with"

The staff there helped me to settle in and develop a better understanding of life in Adelaide, adapt to the study methods used in higher education, and build up a social and support network, which has been very helpful further on. The teaching and studying approach encourages students to be active and get involved rather than spending hours alone in the library. The teachers at the College are real people with real personality, who care about their students more than just their grades. From my experience, the College teachers always seek the uniqueness in students and helped them to make it shine.

Zhuojian
Tan

Degree Transfer

China

Bachelor of Computer Science

"My homestay has exceeded all my expectations, and there are unique things that I’m sure I would not have had the opportunity to have learnt without my homestay."

I have been living with my current homestay mother for half a year. I really wanted to live close to the Adelaide city centre, so I was delighted when I found out I’d be just 20 minutes away. My homestay has exceeded all my expectations, and there are unique things that I’m sure I would not have had the opportunity to have learnt without my homestay. It has also been the perfect opportunity to practice my English outside of the classroom. My homestay Mum has been very patient and always insists that I speak English in front of her. This has been very helpful and I am proud of how much my English has improved.

Maryam
Al-Hawati

English Language

Oman

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

"The environment here is ideal for achieving your best"

One of my favourite moments at the College has been being awarded a certificate for being the top student in GAE which has shown that my communications skills have improved while I have learned a lot outside of the classroom by getting to know people from all over the world. The University of Adelaide College is famous for the quality of education it provides and I chose it because of the reputation it has. The teachers are kind and understanding and the environment here is ideal for studying and achieving your best. I am looking forward to successfully completing my Foundation Studies Program here at the and then studying at the University of Adelaide.

Yingdong
Yang

Foundation Studies

China

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical)

"I am honoured to have won the 2017 StudyAdelaide Award for Academic Pathways and for being the dux of the year for Foundation Studies Programs."

I am extremely grateful for the amount of support I received from the College, in particular for my Academic English and Physics subjects. My advice is to listen carefully in class, ensure you cover all areas of your reports and assignments, and take advantage of the support your teachers provide. My favourite place to study is at the University of Adelaide Hub because of its modern study facilities and enriching atmosphere.

Axia
Tiara
Sura
Tilletson

Foundation Studies

Malaysia

Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery

"The courses at the University of Adelaide College taught me things I’d never known."

I decided to choose the University of Adelaide College due to its amazing study program that prepared me for university entry, and also the convenient location in the city of Adelaide. When I first arrived in Adelaide, I had a hard time trying to adapt because of the different culture and speaking English, but after a month at the College, with the support of the friendly teachers and staff, my English started to improve a lot and I started to enjoy myself. My teachers were wonderful, they were always encouraging and very supportive. They did not hesitate at all to spend time with students in and outside of the classroom, whenever we had difficulty with class work or adapting to a new culture.

The content of the courses at the College taught me things I’d never known. The teachers did a great job of explaining the concepts, which was really helpful. The classes helped me create a strong foundation for university; improvement in my English and confidence in public speaking was a great tool for me in university presentations and class participation.

I learned and enjoyed myself a lot during my year at the College. The knowledge and experiences that I received from the College are still fresh in my memory and will be taken with me as a guide throughout my years at university. The University of Adelaide College has helped me immensely and I’m sure it will be of great help to other students.

Adrian
Du

Degree Transfer

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronic)

"You could count on personal help from the College Team"

It was amazing. You could count on personal help from the College team (both admin and teachers) and they always tried their best to use all their resources to help us. For example, they hired an extra tutor for a semester course allowing me to come second highest in the course. I now enjoy my time at the University of Adelaide including my role as President of the Adelaide University Union.

Lily
Liviani

Foundation Studies

Indonesia

Bachelor of Commerce (International Business) and Bachelor of Law

"The subjects I took at the College really helped me to understand the things I am now learning at the University."

My aunty had studied at the University of Adelaide previously and spoke very highly of her educational experience, saying that it was an excellent environment for international students. I didn’t study Law at the College, but now I am doing Law alongside Commerce, so I can really tell the differences between these two courses. The learning support at the College was extremely helpful, especially when it came to English. Every day during lunchtime, you can visit the Learning Support Drop-In Centre for complimentary workshops. The teacher in charge of the Student Social Club (Leanne) also taught me a lot of skills regarding responsibility and what it means to be a person who supports others.

Manogna
Maduri

Foundation Studies

India

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering

"I gained a tremendous amount of confidence while studying at the University of Adelaide College."

I found studying at the University of Adelaide College a beneficial experience in understanding how a university works before commencing university. The way the curriculum is laid out and the teaching style was university oriented, making it easy to anticipate what to expect at university. I gained a tremendous amount of confidence while studying at the College.

I loved how multicultural the College was. I had a great time meeting lots of wonderful people with different backgrounds and learning about their culture. The staff at the College were truly incredible and efficient. The teachers were extremely friendly and patient with everyone. They always found ways to make classes fun, making every course I completed enjoyable.

Warisa
Chanthet

Degree Transfer

Thailand

Bachelor of Science (Biomedical)

"My study effort has been inspired by all the teachers at the College"

I came to the University of Adelaide College through a scholarship I won from the Thai government. It’s been so nice! My English has improved and I feel prepared to study at university now. The Friday activities have been awesome: the College organises something for students such as barbecues or museum tours. Studying here has changed my ambition to become more concerned about people around me. I would recommend the College to all my friends back home because it has given me a lot of new opportunities in my life. My communication and academic English has improved, I’ve made many international companions and my study effort has been inspired by all the teachers at the College.

Rohit
Kumar

Degree Transfer

India

Bachelor of Computer Science

"I decided to study at the University of Adelaide College because I wanted to take a bridging semester, which for me, was going to be a big advantage as an international student."

The courses I had during my Degree Transfer Program were all really interesting and made me curious to continue learning. In India, the teachers are very strict whereas, at the College, they are compassionate and feel like your friends. Studying Computer Science, my favourite subject was Programming. Computing has been my passion since I was a child, and the College teachers really allowed me to excel in enhancing my knowledge and skills. Being Student Social Club President, I was responsible for ensuring all the Club’s events promoted student welfare and made life easier for students. Deciding what events to organise comes down to College student’s feedback.

Ishaan
Wasan

Degree Transfer

Indian

Bachelor of Commerce (Corporate Finance)

"My favourite thing about studying at the University of Adelaide College was the friendly and accommodating staff and the extensively caring and enthusiastic teachers."

I decided to study at the College as it provided me with a good pathway to the University of Adelaide, as well as a better teacher to student ratio and the chance to settle into my studies well. The experience of studying at the College has been a good one – with others constantly pushing you to achieve your best. My favourite thing about studying at the College was the friendly and accommodating staff and the extensively caring and enthusiastic teachers. I love that my teachers are very encouraging and make it a point to try and understand everyone’s situations, while still making sure you study hard and achieve the best result you can. The experience of studying in Adelaide has been a fantastic one as there are a lot of students in the city and it is amazing to meet new people all the time. I like the culture most and how it is so clean and friendly, as well as the amazing beaches and scenery.

Chang
Ge

Foundation Studies

China

Bachelor of Nursing

"I was fortunate that my classes had a harmonious learning atmosphere and everyone helped each other by working collaboratively."

The subjects I had at the University of Adelaide College have accelerated my cognitive skills and enhanced my writing which I am now able to apply to my current Bachelor’s. My Critical Thinking teacher Liam was very funny and his interesting classes kept me excited and eager to learn. I also remember my Biology teacher Nicole, because she would teach us step-by-step, which made everything easy to follow and understand. Overall, I had quite extensive contact with my teachers.

Shane
Wenxuen
Lee

Foundation Studies

Malaysia

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Petroleum) and Bachelor of Science

"If I were to have gone straight to the University of Adelaide without doing the Foundation Studies Program, I would have encountered a lot of difficulties with the weight of expectation."

One thing I really liked about my teachers is how they communicated with everyone. They were very friendly. The teachers at the College actively talk to you, encourage you to socialise and feel valued when you take their guidance. Ultimately, they are the people you can look up to in building your independence before you enter university. If you work hard, you’ll get the results you want. Being the Vice President of the University of Adelaide College Student Social Club meant I was privileged to know all the members very well and facilitate events.