Campus life in America

My favourite building is called MTCC. It is a big building that has cafes, dining area, study/conference rooms, Starbucks, Bookstore and the Students Support office.
In MTCC, every fortnight has a music night. Good place to make new friends.
Library is 24 hours only on weekdays.
Has a late-night car service for dropping students who live nearby campus.
Has a 24-hour seven eleven just next to dorms.
Post office is located in MTCC whereby it is a very centralised spot.
- Good for those online-shoppers (e.g. AMAZON)
The campus is just next to Chinatown.
Red line train operates 24 hours and it is only 10 mins walking from the campus.

For exchange students, it is compulsory to live on-campus.

IIT is very well known with its Engineer School.
- FYI: First phone Motorola was created by IIT Alumni.
The classes tend to be smaller than QUT.
- Attendance was compulsory. So it was easy to make friends in the class.
They call the lecturer by Professor followed by their name.

The cost of living is similar to Brisbane.
The transportation is paid altogether prior to semester begins. So during the semester you can just tap whenever you want.
- Students: US$175 for the U-PASS (e.g. like GoCard) and valid for 4 months.
- Non-students: $2.25/travel (bus and train) regardless the distance.
- A one-off tap (e.g. hop on only) unlike Brisbane.
Meal plan is organised by the University.
- For on-campus students it is compulsory to have (depends on your degree level)
- Buffet system.

Traveling around United States:
- West coast road trip
- Did the Route 66
- New Year’s eve in New York
- Spring break in Miami
Strong friendships that will last forever with people from:
- Germany, India, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, France, USA, Africa.

Use the Travel Card from Commonwealth Bank (this is would be my first top advice!)
Ensure you get the Health Insurance from your host Institution
- Beforehand I used to think that it was very unnecessary, however, I went to Hospital, a week after my semester ended. It was very unexpected. I paid the insurance around US$800 and it covered my expenses for about US$3,000.
Ensure you that the unit that you would be taking overseas is not a non-credit in order to prevent any issues when returning home for credit transfers. Be really careful with units that you’ll be undertaking, do regularly check with QUT.
Be mindful of job opportunities around your host campus by talking with one of the staff.
Become the member of Sorority or Fraternity!
- Great ways to make friends and to experience the American college life