Monash University

I had my own room, which was very nice, and there are kitchen facilities on each floor (although how clean they are is debatable, but it is ok). It was good for me because I cooked all my own meals, which kept my expenses low. There is a dining hall--however it does not come highly recommended. The overall expense was high to me, especially since we did not get any type of meal plan. There are laundry and computer facilities in each hall also. The environment it provided made up for the down sides of dorm life. Everyone was very friendly, and I made alot of good friends. They plan tons of activities, help to get you adjusted to the university and invovled in campus life. Overall, it was ok for a semester, I suggest living off campus or moving off after a few months if you are staying for a year.

It is generally easy to find accommodations around the university. The on campus accommodation was a brand new apartment block and they provided a washer and dryer in every apartment which is good. The rooms a a little cramped since I'm used to bigger rooms but it is sufficient. It also has a kitchen. However, the rent is pretty high at about AU500 a month. I rented a unit near the university with a bunch of friends and that only costed me about half that price. I had a bigger room but no washer and dryer. However, the place I rented was really close to a laundromat. Pretty convenient.

The single rooms are VERY nice. The ground floor, where I stayed was very secluded, which could be good and bad. THe other rooms allowed you to meet more people and mingle very easy. You receive sheets once a week which is really nice and a maid cleans your bathroom. All accomodations are both male and female which I thought was very different, but also a GREAT way to live!

THe halls of residence seem to be in a terrible state and quite expensive (after checking them out). This makes them a pertty poor value for a mature budget student like me. Furthermore, the location is remote from central locations and appear to become a struggle when commuting to other parts of town.

I only lasted nine days in the dorms because it was terrible. The secretaries for the dorms were rude, the rooms were small, and the location of the campus/dorms is far from any attractions or activities.

The best thing is to share an apartment with some Australians, but you need to get there about 10 days before school starts to look around.