Education

The system of education is very different from the one at home. Keep in mind, going from a small university with a student body of only 5,500 to a large university nearly 30,000 students is one change. The more difficult change is going from an American private university to a public foreign university. The grading system is not A,B,C,D, and F. Australians grading system is “HD” (high distinction) and “DN” (distinction), which is equivalent to an “A” in the American education system. Only 3% of students get “HD” here at Macquarie. “DN” is for students who do exceptional well in their courses. Most students get what is known as “CR” (credit), which is really good and perfectly acceptable. The equivalent to a “C” is a “B” in America. “. Next is “P” for Pass. The equivalent is a low “B” or high “C.” “PC” (Conceded Pass) is a “D” in America. “F” (Fail) is the equivalent to our “F.”


(above is a picture of our University pond and grassland; its like the schools backyard. Pretty nice backyard, right?)

A full boat load is 12 credit hours here at Macquarie, which is something I am really not use to ,and believe me, it is a full boat load. I have always taken 18 credit hours, so this is another change. Most classes base your grade on two essays and a final test. Some classes have a couple more papers or tests. Kinda scary not knowing how well you are doing in a class until you are half way done with it. It’s also scary not knowing how credits will transfer back. Is a “Pass” a B or C back home? After talking to some students, most Australian students seem very happy and pleased to get CR. However, in America that’s only a “B.” I find this very discouraging that if I do quite well in a class I am bound to get “B,” rather than an “A” that I may feel I deserve. This especially concerns me when is comes to GPA. It is possible that my GPA is bound to lower too, which is not good when some students may have scholarships or jobs that require a certain level of GPA. However, this is a difference in our culture. I hope that future employers who look at my transcript take note that a “C” is actually pretty good in Australia.