Semester in Adelaide, Australia
Grant Minagawa (Heinz, '24) spent a semester of his Master’s degree program studying abroad at the University of Adelaide in Australia. Grant says:
What was a highlight from your time abroad?
I think being an international student in an English-speaking country was a really interesting experience. There were times where I didn’t know what was going on, even though we were all speaking English, and I feel like I have a better understanding of what international students go through here in the U.S. now. I’ve also never met people from countries like Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Costa Rica, and more; and being able to take classes with and learn from them was amazing… I also loved being able to go to a park and see Koalas and Kangaroos just chilling in the wild!
What do you wish you knew before studying abroad in Adelaide?
I wish I had prepared better for the cold. I knew the seasons would be flipped when I arrived in winter (in July), but I didn’t realize how cold it would be and for how long. Adelaide gets some Antarctic winds, and it was cold until around November. I was really tempted to get a heavy down jacket, even though I didn’t have any space. I barely fit everything I got in my luggage!
I think Adelaide is a great place to study. It’s similar to Pittsburgh in the sense that it’s a medium-sized city with a lot of universities and a big international student population. Study Adelaide does a great job planning events and other opportunities for students, and it’s pretty easy to meet people since things are relatively close. Everyone wants to be in Sydney or Melbourne, but I think Adelaide has a more relaxed vibe… and it’s cheaper!