今天要來介紹我的母校，昆士蘭科技大學，當時總共申請兩間學校，分別為昆士蘭大學(UQ)與此校，而幸運地都有拿到Offer，其實澳洲還有很多優質的學校，但我喜歡布里斯本這個城市（真相是怕冷），而兩間各有所長，以下將好好介紹我的選擇理由以及許多華人會接觸到的EAP橋梁課程，以及開學的迎新活動分享！
Today I am going to introduce my wonderful university, Queensland University of Technology(QUT). Actually, I applied two universities that are QUT and UQ (University of Queensland) before I came to Australia and got two offers luckily. It is true that there are many excellent universities in Australia, however, the first reason that I applied these two universities is WEATHER. I definitely love Brisbane’s weather (and I am afraid of cold... haha). Next, I will explain why I chose QUT but not UQ and also share some experience in EAP course where many Asian people would entry before they enter in normal courses. Finally, I would like to share some interesting stories about my first orientation week in Australia!
1. 為什麼選擇QUT? Why QUT?
先說說許多人在意的排名概念，當然UQ的綜合排名或許更好，但QUT一樣為澳洲前十名的大學，世界排名也維持在200名內（全台灣僅台灣大學穩定維持在百名之內），而由於我就讀的為商學院，QUT的商學院更榮獲世界三大頂級教育機構的同時認可，分別為國際商學院促進協會(The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)、歐洲質量發展系統(European Quality Improvement System)、英國工商管理碩士協會(The Association of MBAs)，全世界僅百分之一的商學院同時榮獲此三項殊榮，昆士蘭科技大學的校訓更是在當地深植人心，為「a university for the real world」，原因為該校重視實際應用而非僅著重於學術理論，與企業保持良好合作，不難理解為何在2011年QS世界大學排名「雇主愛用畢業生」項目中獲得前100名，最後，學校的學生人數約45000人，有多達6000名國際學生，在發展社交網路及國際觀上相對有很大的優勢，另外，QUT兩個主要校區「Kelvin Grove」與「Gardens Point」均在布里斯本市中心附近，工作機會相對較多，生活機能也非常便利！
First of all, although many people think that UQ’s ranking is better than QUT’s. However, QUT is also top 10 Australian university and it always maintains its world university rankings within 300! (For example, in Taiwan, only National Taiwan University is ranked within 100 stably) Secondly, I major in Business and QUT’s business school is Australia's first business school to earn all three symbols of excellence from the world's leading accrediting bodies (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, European Quality Improvement System, and The Association of MBAs), holding the triple crown since 2005. Less than 1% of all business schools globally have achieved triple accreditation! Thirdly, QUT is as known as “a university for the real world” because they focus on practical education and cooperate with businesses closely. Fourthly, the student number of QUT is approximately 45,000 and there are more than 5 thousand international students. It is a really good environment for students to share their different opinions or thought and build their perfect social network! Finally, QUT locates in Brisbane city, students can find many job opportunities and enjoy the convenience here.
總結來說，品質認證、務實、國際化、機能便利是我選擇此學校的主要原因！
To sum up, educational quality, practicality, internationalization, and convenience are main critical reasons for me to choose QUT!
♁地址Address：
Gardens Point Campus: 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000
Kelvin Grove Campus: Cnr Musk and Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059
Caboolture campus: Manley and Tallon St, Caboolture QLD 4510
♁聯絡方式Contact：請點此Click Here
♁入學門檻English Requirement：Bachelor, IELTS 6.0-7.0；Master, IELTS6.0-7.5
※依各學系有所不同，有的還需另付作品（如藝術），請以官方介紹為準。
♁官網Official Website：QUT
2. 什麼是EAP課程? What is EAP course?
EAP全名為「English for Academic Purposes」，澳洲大學的英文申請門檻通常為雅思6.5分或同等層級證明，而許多人在學校成績等各項要求均符合門檻的狀態下，僅有英文分數差了臨門一腳，就能夠選讀此橋梁課程，當然英文成績已經達到的學生，一樣能選擇此課程來增進自己的英文實力！
EAP means English for Academic Purpose and it is established for students whose English levels are between IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 because most of Australian university accept applications with IELTS 6.5. However, students who have already achieved this requirement can also apply this course for improving English level in academic field.
♁課程地點Location：P bock, Kelvin Grove Campus (QUT International College)
♁課程長度Course duration：12 weeks
♁開課時間Start month：March, July, October
♁課程費用Tuition Fee：AU$ 4680 (2015)
♁入學門檻entry requirement：IELTS overall 5.5
♁官網Website：Click Here
在EAP課程中能遇到來自非英文國家的人，當然有許多華人、亞洲人、巴西人等等。
You can easily meet students from non-English-speaking countries and see many Chinese, Asian, Brazilian and so on.
這是EAP的課程進度與成績分配表，其實12週的課程蠻緊湊的，幾乎每天都有作業，而且大部分從早上8:30上到下午4:00（星期三為半日），而在第七週以後的考試成績會正式列入計算，大部分的學生均要達到總成績65%以上才能通過，也有部分工學院學生僅需50%。
This was EAP’s course schedule and percentage of tests. Actually, it was not an easy job for non-English speakers and we also had many homework every day during that period. Class time was 8:30 to 15:00 or 16:00 except for Wednesday (until 13:00). The tests would start to be counted after week 7 and most of the students had to get 65% or 50% score to pass this course.
在學校硬體設備上也有許多公共空間、休息及圖書室等，普遍來說還算蠻新且舒服的，由於課程經常是整天的，大部分學生會自己帶午餐前往學校，學院內也會附有大量的微波爐供學生使用，非常貼心！
There are many new and useful public spaces or facilities in P block such as rest rooms, ILC library, computer rooms and so on. They also supply microwaves for students who bring lunch every day. It is so considerate!
與這群國際學生們一起經歷了很棒的時光，我們遇到了很好的老師Kay和Tim，不僅學到了許多對未來碩士實用的知識，也偶爾會一起聚餐、聯繫等等，課程畢業後大家就會前往自己的系所就讀，真心祝福這群朋友們都有很好的未來！
I was so lucky to meet these two great teachers, Kay and Tim, and wonderful international students from China, Thailand, India, Brazil. We acquired useful knowledge for our faculty lives and enjoyed many delightful moments together. Wish everyone nice futures sincerely!!!
3. 關於迎新週。About Orientation Week!
國外的迎新活動與台灣的非常不同，有較高的自主選擇性與實用性，也沒有像台灣入學典禮之類的制式流程，例如開設許多演講讓新生了解如何找到兼職工作、如何找到實習機會等等，所以在此也必須更加主動地去掌握你要的資訊，當然也有許多娛樂性與社交性質的活動，能藉此機會認識在學校的各式社團、認識新鮮人與培養自己的社交圈！
There are many differences in orientation week between Taiwan’s and Australia’s. I think that students here can have more useful and practical information which include introductions of finding part time jobs or career development and so on during this week but not following some same unchangeable schedules like it in Taiwan. Furthermore, it is also a good chance for students to learn how to seize various information and develop their social networks actively!
非常貼心的國際學生迎新活動，可以了解QUT真的有非常多國際學生！對於剛到澳洲的學生也提供了許多實用的資訊，我也收穫了不少！
This was an international student orientation which gave lots of useful support to us. By the way, this picture shows how much international students that QUT has… haha
為期一週的迎新活動，除了能認識各式團外，還能參加學校舉辦的音樂會，而這週的活動雖然很多，但在消息的整合度上非常高，能夠利用學校一個相關網站就很清楚地知道各式學校與社團的活動資訊，非常方便！
During this week, I could easily join in interesting clubs and participate in official concert. It was so amazing and convenient that every student could grab the schedule of these numerous events in orientation week in one website! Nice integration!
最後附上台灣學生會的活動合照，我們都來自共同的家鄉，台灣！
Finally, let me share this picture of the welcoming event that Taiwanese Students Association held. We are all from the same lovely country, Taiwan!
Keep learning, keep doing, keep going!
Never forget why I am here and where I will go!