Parent Testimonials

UNE Colleges provides more than a place to live while you study your degree. Below are testimonials from parents on how they have found the transition and experience with College life for their son or daughter.

Austin College

Austin Testimonial

Our son, Liam Barber departed Canberra at the age of 17 to begin his journey at University. We were concerned for his well being and worried about what terrible calamities he may be faced with based on being released from our care! He chose UNE and selected Austin College as his base for the next four years of his life.

Austin College has a good reputation, including catering to all sporting and recreational enthusiasts and athletes alike. Austin College has provided a supportive, inclusive and accepting environment that nurtures individual and group aspirations and expectations. The care that the RF's took to assist in all facets of transition into group living and university life were key to the successful assimilation from home life to that of a responsible adult.

Although we didn't participate in any pre-university visits or campus tours, we found the website both informative and easy to navigate. Our son chose the college based entirely on the information provided online and of course, was guided by his selection of study options provided by the University.

Over the past 4 years we have attended each parents weekend and have always been impressed and proud of the achievements of our own son and also of all Austin's cohort and appreciate that the atmosphere of resilience, friendship and  mutual respect is something that puts a parent's concerns to rest and gives that warm glow of reassurance that despite natural ups and downs, our child is in a wonderful and productive college focused on attaining ones full potential and achieving success in respective fields of learning.

If ever asked for our opinion and recommendation, we also convey our satisfaction with both UNE and life at Austin College.

Scott and Danielle Barber

Canberra, ACT

Austin Testimonial

Our son, Matthew, gained early entry to UNE and was disappointed when he didn’t acquire a local apprenticeship. So we encouraged him to experience UNE and college life giving him the option of leaving if it didn’t work out for him. Life in Austin for Matthew is like home away from home.

Matthew’s mother had lived in one of the residential colleges for 4 years, decades earlier, and was also very familiar with Austin College. It is less than 3 hours drive from our home near Macksville, in the Nambucca Valley, which is an added bonus.

We had a very informative campus tour the week prior to the commencement of Wellness Week. Matthew chose 2 colleges to tour. At Austin College we were met by a very welcoming and friendly student who gave us the tour and rundown on college life. By the time we left Armidale, Matthew had decided that if he was going to UNE then he would be residing in Austin College.

Matthew has learnt to shop, cook, wash and many other essential life skills while at Austin. He thoroughly enjoys the social and college sporting activities and often shares their winning experiences with us. He is now apart of a student committee and has forged many good friendships at Austin College.

We rather like the idea of the weekly Studyfest for all fellow students. It would be great to see more organised activities on the Parent Weekend in addition to the formal dinner on the Saturday night. Overall, Matthew revels in the climate at Austin College.

Stewart and Dorothy Ison, Macksville NSW

Austin Testimonial

Molly couldn't wait to get to Armidale after Year 12! She had friends rave about what a great experience Austin College had been. She has had a fantastic time in her time so far at Austin and we have been surprised how much she has matured in such a short time.

After doing the rounds on Open Day she felt an affinity with Austin straight away. She chose Austin over the other Colleges as she was immediately made comfortable. We didn't expect the influence the Student Leadership group would have, with the academic support greater in the College environment than at other Unis. Involvement in extra curricular activities has been encouraged with Molly playing a lot of extra sports.

Mitch and Jackie Fraser, Shoal Bay NSW

Austin Testimonial

Before our son started at UNE we were all apprehensive as it was a major change for him and for us as parents. As we live in Taree, 3.5 hours from Armidale, we were all concerned about the travel and possible homesickness that living so far away would involve.
We decided to attend the university with our son and take a campus tour to see what college life involved. We felt this was an important requirement before committing to enroll. We toured the three colleges that seemed most likely to suit our son’s academic ambitions and his personality.

When we returned home we discussed the options available and spent plenty of time browsing the UNE website. We found the website really helpful and a great place to get an idea of what UNE is like.

The final decision as to which college to attend was left to our son. He chose Austin College as he felt most comfortable in it’s surroundings and was confident that he would be able to fit in.

As we navigated the enrollment process there were times when we needed assistance, particularly in relation to campus accommodation and selection of academic study units. In this case we were able to make a telephone call to UNE staff who were able to answer our question immediately or guide us in the right direction. This kind of support really made the whole enrollment process so much easier and less stressful than it might have been.
Since moving to Austin College to live and study our son has shown no signs of the homesickness or loneliness that can be felt when making a change like this in your life. He seems to be having the time of his life and feels right at home. Austin College’s multi-faceted support of fresher student has really impressed us as parents.

David Morris, Taree NSW

Duval College

Duval Testimonial

As a parent, I could not be more delighted about my daughter’s experience as a Fresher at Duval College, at UNE.
Having gained a place in the Psychology degree course, Milli explored accommodation options and joined a tour of both the University and colleges with a girlfriend. She brought home brochures on the various colleges and, together, we agreed Duval seemed to provide the level of support and opportunities Milli desired.

After Christmas, she and I made another, unscheduled visit. The college was closed but two young women from Student Services happened to be working in their adjacent office and kindly showed us through the buildings. Deserted of its usual occupants, it still felt homely and strangely reminiscent of Harry Potter’s ‘Hogwarts’, with its ivy-clad brick walls, large communal dining room and comfy common rooms. Our tour guides spent an hour with us, talking through Milli’s expectations of University from an academic and resident’s viewpoint, allaying some of her fears and answering our many questions. They spoke highly of Duval and confirmed our feeling that it would be the best fit for Milli’s first year at Uni.

Milli applied for residency and was accepted.

The College correspondence with us was timely and informative, covering how the contract and payment worked, and answering our queries promptly and courteously. We were invited to a parent’s luncheon and information session on the move-in day, which would precede a week of orientation to the College, aptly called “Wellness Week”. The University Orientation Week, for all new students, would follow.

On the day of moving, we travelled to Armidale from Coffs Harbour with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Milli didn’t know anyone studying at the University, let alone moving into Duval College. As a person prone to anxiety, we impressed on Milli the temporary nature of the move; re-enforcing that we were only a two-hour drive away and that, if things didn’t work out, she could move into a share-house or, at worst, back home. On arrival we were greeted by the welcoming sight of balloons and cheerful students, who proceeded to help us unload our car and carry Milli’s things to her room. The college grounds and buildings were abuzz with students and parents lugging suitcases, bedding, bar fridges and cooking paraphernalia, up and down stairs, supervised by the College staff and older students, all of whom were friendly and helpful.
At every point in the proceedings, I was impressed by the courtesy, kindness and efficiency of everyone involved.

A short welcome presentation by the leadership team and light lunch in the dining room allowed us to meet other families, and Milli’s dad and I left feeling cautiously optimistic that she would soon find her feet.

Since that first day, Milli has grown in confidence and maturity. She speaks of feeling less anxious about social situations, has embraced the social scene with gusto and is managing her study time effectively. She has made a wonderful group of friends and acquaintances and describes an environment that is caring, supportive and inclusive. No one is left behind.

From a practical viewpoint, Duval offers an excellent catering arrangement which means students’ nutritional needs are met: for five nights of the week at least! The kitchen and laundry facilities are excellent and the opportunities to participate in sporting activities,
including the use of the University’s gym, are extensive. Add the academic mentoring that is available to every Duvalian, and the picture is complete. It would be difficult to find a better, more positive environment for a student.

I recommend Duval College unconditionally.

Kathryn Halliwell, Coffs Harbour NSW

Duval Testimonial

Once Jordan was accepted to study Agriculture at UNE the hunt began for him to decide on which college he wanted to apply for.  After doing some online research and talking to people familiar with the options his preferred choice came down to Duval. It had a positive culture with lots of activities and I suspect the access to the university sports facilities might also have been a factor.

Jordan had spent 2018 on a gap year working in England and so the move to Armidale was a relatively easy step for him to make. He was very excited to get his university journey underway and has enthusiastically embraced the all aspects of college life. Since commencing at Duval he has made many new friends, most of whom come from regional NSW and so he is getting to know people from outside of Sydney.

Jordan has continued to mature during his time at Duval, learning many of the practical skills needed to live away from home and taking on the responsibilities that come with living independently.  He is enjoying the whole experience enormously and we are delighted with the enthusiasm he has for his life at Duval.

Once Jordan was accepted to study Agriculture at UNE the hunt began for him to decide on which college he wanted to apply for.  After doing some online research and talking to people familiar with the options his preferred choice came down to Duval. It had a positive culture with lots of activities and I suspect the access to the university sports facilities might also have been a factor.

Jordan had spent 2018 on a gap year working in England and so the move to Armidale was a relatively easy step for him to make. He was very excited to get his university journey underway and has enthusiastically embraced the all aspects of college life. Since commencing at Duval he has made many new friends, most of whom come from regional NSW and so he is getting to know people from outside of Sydney.

Jordan has continued to mature during his time at Duval, learning many of the practical skills needed to live away from home and taking on the responsibilities that come with living independently.  He is enjoying the whole experience enormously and we are delighted with the enthusiasm he has for his life at Duval.

Tony Gamson, Sydney NSW

Earle Page College

Earle Page Testimonial

When my son Chris decided to undertake an Environmental Science degree at UNE he was initially going to continue living at home. I said to him ‘that is fine if you just want to receive a degree. If you want an unparalleled university experience- you really need to go to college.’

The next question was- which college should he go to? After doing a tour of Earle Page College he decided it was the one for him.

I was (not so secretly) thrilled about his choice. You see as part of my professional academic role at UNE I am involved with the Senior Common Room at Earle Page College. I have no hesitation in saying that being involved in the college is (hands down) the best part of my job. I desperately wanted my eldest son to experience the culture and community a residential college has to offer. I have seen first-hand the positive impact the residential college system has on students. They become well adjusted, independent and confident young people- it really is incredible!!

I am pleased to say the same thing is happening with my son Chris. At the two formal dinners I have attended so far this year, Chris has played his guitar for the college community. My heart was bursting with pride on both occasions!! I knew at that moment that supporting Chris to attend Earle Page College was the best decision I have ever made. I can see him evolving into a confident, happy and well-adjusted young man who is on the journey of making lifelong friends.

Even though I have seen this evolution many times, nothing beats seeing my son, who I have loved and nurtured for 19 years, undertaking this transformation.

Thank you Earle Page College for giving my son a life changing experience which is setting him up for a happy and successful life. I will be forever grateful!

Julia Day, Armidale NSW

Mary White College

Mary White Testimonial

It has been a great experience for Jackson at Mary White College so far. The college and the University have exceeded our expectations in terms of academic excellence, amount of support and extra curricula activities that are available. Jackson has settled into University life well because of all the great people that he has met there.

Petrina Heinze, Central Coast NSW

Robb College

Robb Testimonial

The end of year twelve at school was filled with excitement about what lay ahead in life for our daughter Lizzie; the beginning of a new chapter. I’d been lucky enough to attend Robb College, UNE and to this day I still reap the benefit of brilliant lifelong friends. The camaraderie amongst us at college was, and still is, extraordinary. Since leaving university, this friendship group from Robb has lived the highs and lows of life together; we’ve supported each other and laughed hard. So, it was excitement I felt when Lizzie decided to follow in my footsteps and head to UNE. Selecting a College was easy, she had met all my Robb friends and could see that would be a good fit for her.

As a family, we’d done nostalgic drives through UNE, showing the kids where my husband and I had met and been to University, so it was familiar territory to Lizzie. That’s not to say that I didn’t feel nervous and sad; my daughter was about to leave home, learn how to juggle the challenges of living in a College with others she’d never met, balance the social aspects with study and become more independent. You can’t really compare it to boarding school I don’t think. After only a short while, she found mates who I can see will be her special lifelong friends. The positive experiences of College will stay with her throughout her life. She has already developed and grown as a young adult and I feel so happy for her.

Sarah Paradice, Mullion NSW

Wright College & Village

Wright Testimonial

Jillian was both excited and nervous before starting at UNE but was able to get most of her questions answered from the website, however I think she did call the information line also.

We are from Perth (however I am originally from Sydney) but we took advantage of taking a college tour about 12 months prior to Jillian commencing.  For me as an interstate parent I would highly recommend doing this as it gives you a “real”  idea of where your child will be living.  We initially thought that Jillian might reside in the Mary White village but after our visit and checking the website, she chose Wright Village.  I think the main reason for this was Wright Village has the individual flats that house 8 people rather than the larger dormitory style of living. We found the history of the university and its beginnings fascinating and felt very comfortable strolling through the grounds.  We were able to wander around the common areas, the library and the various villages making ourselves familiar with all.

Jillian has thoroughly enjoyed the living arrangements in Wright Village right from the word go. She was fortunate enough to share with a lovely group of international and Australian students and they developed a really strong bond from early days. They stay in regular contact even though they have gone back to their respective countries.

UNE was chosen by Jillian herself and the main reason, I believe, was that independent living is strongly promoted on the campus. The information we received prior to her attending was comprehensive and we really didn’t have any unanswered questions.

Jillian attending UNE and residing in Wright College has been a very satisfying experience. I would have no hesitation in recommending both the university and the residential facilities to anyone who wished to attend.

Bronwyn Howlett, Perth WA