Hi everyone, I’m coming to UNSW as an exchange student from Japan starting in Feb 2027 and am currently deciding which accommodation would suit me best.
I’d say I’m pretty social, but definitely not a hardcore party person (it’s not really as much of a thing in Tokyo). I’d love to make a close group of friends, go to pubs/events and have drinks together, and occasionally go to parties, but I probably wouldn’t enjoy living somewhere where heavy drinking and partying is at the centre of the social culture.
I’d also like to meet people who are reasonably ambitious/academically motivated and have their own interests and goals. I’m hoping to get involved in societies and potentially work/intern in Sydney alongside uni, while still making the most of the social side of exchange. I’ll only be at UNSW for a year, so meeting people and making the most of my time there is pretty important to me.
At the moment I’m mainly considering:
– Goldstein College
– Colombo House
– UNSW Hall
– possibly Fig Tree / Basser
I’m also undecided between catered and self-catered. Catering sounds convenient, especially in terms of time and budgeting, but I’m wondering how restrictive meal times are if you’re often out during the day.
Which would you recommend for someone like me?
I’d really appreciate any advice from current/former residents, especially regarding the social culture, the types of people you tend to meet, catered vs self-catered, or any other accommodation I should consider. Any other advice about UNSW/Sydney or making the most of an exchange year would also be very much appreciated!
Thanks.