Student report by Jessica M. – Last weeks of term at ICMS
Time flies here at ICMS! We are already in the final weeks of this first term of 2022, and that unfortunately also means close to the end of my stay here in Australia. Let me give you some insights on what happens during these final weeks and what my last month abroad will look like.
A lot of work…
Studying outside in the gardens at ICMS
Of course there are assessments in each subject to be handed in during all of the term. Nonetheless, a lot of the lecturers have a bigger assessment coming at the end of term that the students have worked towards and built up knowledge for over the trimester. Therefore, a lot of the time during the last weeks goes into assessments. May it be a group presentation, an individual report or an online quiz – all of these require quite some time and effort to aim for a good grade.
Luckily though, with the great weather outside, it is easy to sit on a table in the garden with friends around. Everyone is working on their own topic, but of course everyone also supports the rest with questions, recommendations and so on.
…and a lot of fun!
A huge Easter event in Sydney – The Royal Easter Show
On top of that, there are actually quite a number of days off at the moment. With Easter happening and ANZAC day as a national holiday in Australia, a lot of the domestic on-campus residents leave for a few days and it gets fairly quiet in the castle.
For us internationals these days are a great opportunity for some travelling though! Seeing the north or south of the east coast or maybe even a different state, like the Northern Territory or Victoria for a few days is simply stunning. On top of that, some classes already end in week 10 or 11, so that also gives you some more options to go and explore during the final days.
Events on campus
On campus there are also a number of things on offer. With an end of term party marking the end of week 12, everyone can celebrate together in the basement one last time. A specific resident dinner gives on-campus students a great evening with amazing food to say good-bye to their home for the last three months.
On top of that, lots of preparations for the new term are already starting. Who would like to live on campus again has to register now, lists for sport clubs for the next term are already being made and RL applications taken in. So while there may be a bit of sadness because the one term comes to an end, there is already quite some anticipation for the next term to come!
My personal review
Sydney Harbour Bridge
For me personally, I will finish all my classes and most of my assessments in week 11. That leaves me with a whole bunch of weeks to travel Australia before going back home. Of course all my friends here have different plans, travel times and obligations, so that we have to put effort into organising who goes when with whom to see what.
It is a lot of fun though being able to look forward to all of these adventures. I will use the majority of my time to go and see Australia’s west coast on a road trip and visit Tasmania. For my last view days back in Sydney, the famous light festival Vivid will be on and I can say good-bye to this amazing city in a great ambience.
Looking back onto everything I have done and that has happened here during my term, I am so very grateful this entire experience was possible. After waiting for two years due to the pandemic, the reopening of the borders happened just in time for me to still experience a bit of this impressive continent. I can clearly recommend a semester abroad at ICMS to anyone who wants to make the most out of studying and travelling at the same time.
