Testimonials
Smriti Bolarya Sharma
Master of International Business and Master of Business Administration
 Smriti Bolarya Sharma completed a Bachelor of Commerce from the University in Delhi in India. Smriti chose to study for her Masters of International Business (MIB) at UOW as the course was highly recommended and because of Wollongong's coastal location.
"UOW is a totally new experience. It is huge compared to my college at home and there is more freedom for students to develop as independent learners. The course is less structured to what I am use to and I find the 'hands on' case study approach to study very beneficial.
I have enjoyed staying at Campus East and meeting people from countries the world over. We have had special international dinners, a food fair, trips to Canberra and Sydney. It's been fun and a great learning experience.
I'm very grateful to my family for sending me to study here. I am having a nice time and would encourage other students to come to Australia, and particularly to UOW, to study."
After completing the MIB, Smriti decided to stay in Wollongong for a further year of study by taking the opportunity to articulate into the MBA program at UOW. The MBA requires only another seven subjects (instead of 12) after completion of the MIB requirements.
Jitendra Sawlani
Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Management)
 Jitendra Sawlani is an Indian national and transferred from the University of Wollongong in Dubai into second year of his Bachelor of Commerce degree (Marketing & Management) at the Wollongong campus. He completed three half of the degree at UOWD and the remaining half in Wollongong, graduating in July 2005.
"One of the main reasons I chose to study at the Wollongong campus of UOW was the fact that I was given positive feedback from family and friends who have previously studied here. I also wanted the experience of learning within a different culture as I believe this will improve my knowledge base for when I work in my family business."
"I have really enjoyed staying at International House. With the residents of International House comprising of a very broad range of nationalities, it has provided me with the opportunity to learn much more about other cultures. It has also been great that everyone joins in the activities, such as the Sydney Harbour cruise."
"There was definitely a culture shock for me when I came to Australia, as it is vastly different to Dubai. This can also be attributed to the fact that my lifestyle has changed dramatically, now that I live away from home - teaching me a lot about independence."
"Students studying in Australia should consider a transfer, as you can learn so much from studying in another country. You learn things such as tolerance of change, experience in a new culture, and independence."
Jitendra plans to use the knowledge he gains from his degree to assist his family business back in Dubai.
Pramod Janardhanan
Master of Engineering Practice (Environmental Engineering)
 Moving to a foreign country to study can be a daunting experience. But thanks to the welcome extended to international students by volunteers with the UOW International Friendships Program (IFP) this experience is not nearly as daunting as it sounds. The program teams international students with a local host, to help them settle into life in Wollongong and to learn about the Australian lifestyle.
Pramod Janardhanan came to UOW after his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in India, and completed the UOW Master of Engineering Practice (Environmental Engineering). Pramod did not know a soul when he arrived, but quickly settled in with the help of the support services for international students provided by UOW.
"My Australian host in the International Friendships Program works at the University. We meet on a weekly basis and have lunch. I have met her family and friends for home-cooked meals. One of the main benefits of the program is that you get to meet a lot of other people, not just other students, but local residents as well.”
“Another program, ICIS (Illawarra Committee for International Students) organises special trips and activities. I have been to a wildlife park at Nowra, the Aquarium at Darling Harbour in Sydney, to the Blue Mountains and to the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple. So not only have I had the opportunity to develop my professional skills, but I have learnt a lot about the Australian lifestyle and culture along the way".
"I found out about the University of Wollongong through a friend who was studying at the University's campus in Dubai. I have really enjoyed my time here. The subjects are very interesting and the staff very friendly. There is a lot of work to do. In India my studies were more exam-orientated, whereas here there is more of an emphasis on continual assessment. But I have found time to get to know other students including some from my own country. I am staying with an Australian family in the local area and during my spare time I have enjoyed going to the beach and bushwalking".
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