My Semester Abroad at UTS

Jan Huecking

Autumn 2025 Study Abroad student from Jade Hochschule - Wilhelmshaven/Oldenburg/Elsfleth

Germany

Hi! I’m Jan, a student from Jade University in Germany. In Autumn 2025, I had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at the University of Technology Sydney. Living, studying, and exploring Sydney has been one of the best experiences of my life. From catching my first waves on a surfboard to diving deep into technical courses like Cloud Computing, every part of the journey was unforgettable.

Life in Sydney

One of the first things I did after arriving was buy my own surfboard. Surfing quickly became a huge part of my daily routine. Whether it was before class or on the weekends, you could often find me out on the waves, trying to improve my skills. Sydney’s beaches like Bondi and Manly are world-famous for a reason. The stunning views and laid-back surfing culture make them truly special. With public transport, it took me only about 50 minutes to get there. The great weather really made it easy to keep up a sporty lifestyle all year round. Besides surfing, I played tennis and hit the UTS gym regularly. Staying active helped me balance my studies and make the most of life in Sydney.

When I wasn’t studying or surfing, I loved exploring Sydney’s neighborhoods. Each area had its own charm from the relaxed vibes of Newtown to the bustling city life near Darling Harbour. I also loved discovering the city’s food scene. I visited different food markets, tried dishes from all over the world, and joined events happening around the city. Every week there was something new to experience. Sydney is also a paradise for nature lovers. I explored several coastal walks, visited national parks, and spent countless hours relaxing at different beaches. Getting around was easy thanks to the great public transport system.

I lived in UTS Housing, which is located right at the UTS city campus. UTS Housing organized a lot of welcome events like city tours, beach trips, and barbeques. That made it super easy to meet new people, especially at the start of the semester.

Studying at UTS

Studying at UTS was just as much of an adventure as exploring Sydney. I took the three courses Introduction to Data Engineering, Application Development in the iOS Environment and Cloud Computing and Software as a Service.

The courses were hands-on, with real-world projects and lots of group work. This teaching style was quite different from what I was used to back in Germany, but it helped me develop practical skills and learn how to manage projects. Working with students from different countries also gave me new perspectives and improved my teamwork skills. Most lectures were delivered online, which provides a lot of flexibility. However, it's important for future students to know that, since it can also make it a bit harder to meet new people at first. Thankfully, all lab sessions were in person, so you could connect with classmates there. I also enjoyed the guest lectures, where industry professionals shared insights into how things are handled within their companies.