My study abroad semester in Sydney

Jessica Grueber

Autumn 2025 Study Abroad student from Fachhoschule Aachen

Germany

Hi, I’m Jessica, a biotechnology undergraduate student currently spending a semester abroad in Australia at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). In this blog, I’ll be sharing my wonderful experiences from the other side of the world and giving you insights into my life at UTS.

Studying at UTS

During orientation week, there were countless events on offer — from social events to exciting trips like visiting the Taronga Zoo or going on hikes with other students. You could also join various university clubs, such as sports or social clubs, which are a great way to meet new people and make friends.

I took three courses at UTS: Introduction to Forensic Science, Fundamentals of Pharmacology, and Cell Biology and Genetics. These were really interesting, but the style of learning and grading was completely different from my university back in Germany.

There are weekly assessments with submissions and group work, and the final exams are just online quizzes, which makes the semester feel a lot less intense and stressful.

University of Technology Sydney Library 

Overall, studying at UTS was definitely less demanding than in Germany, which gave me more time to travel and explore Australia.

Some must-see spots and further recommendations will follow as I share more about my experiences in Sydney.

Life in Sydney

Living in Sydney was one of the best times of my life. I made experiences I’ll never forget, and most importantly, I grew so much as a person. I became more confident, independent, and open-minded.

Some absolute must-sees are the city’s most iconic attractions, like the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach — where I spent most of my time in Sydney. It’s the perfect place to swim, surf, or just relax. The most beautiful sunset spot is definitely at Milk Beach. Other great trips include the Blue Mountains, the Royal National Park, and Jervis Bay.

Milk Beach

Blue Mountains

Taronga Zoo

If you’re already in Australia, I highly recommend the Australian Surf Camp — it’s the perfect way to learn the basics of surfing and maybe even continue practicing on your own afterwards.

Since lectures and exams in the Autumn semester end around late May or early June, I’d suggest taking an extra month afterwards to travel. There are cheap flights to the Gold Coast or Melbourne, but places like Tasmania, New Zealand, the Great Barrier Reef, or the Australian Outback are also definitely worth a trip.

Gold Coast

So if you’re still unsure about doing a semester abroad in Australia, I hope this blog has helped convince you. It will truly be an unforgettable experience and one of the most amazing times of your life.

So go for it — live your dream!