Studying medicine in Australia offers more than a degree, it’s a whole new life experience. For many American students, it’s a chance to get world-class medical training in a different part of the world, while living in one of the most welcoming, safe, and student-friendly cities on the planet.
The University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane is the first stop on your journey through the UQ-Ochsner Doctor of Medicine (MD) program and it sets the stage for both academic and personal growth.
Welcome to Brisbane
Brisbane is a sunny, laid-back city on Australia’s east coast. With around 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s ideal for outdoor living. Winters are mild (50s–70s °F), summers are hot and humid (70s–90s °F), and the lifestyle is active, social, and relaxed. Think weekend brunches, riverside picnics, farmers’ markets, and rooftop bars with skyline views.
Getting around is easy and cheap in Brisbane. The city has excellent public transport including buses, trains, ferries, with a flat 50cent fare for everyone. Electric bicycles and scooters are also widely available in the CBD (downtown) and inner-city. Most UQ-Ochsner students live within a short commute of campus, and there are plenty of safe, affordable neighborhoods to choose from.
Brisbane is more affordable than other major Australian cities like Sydney or Melbourne. Rent, dining out, and day-to-day costs are generally lower, especially when using student discounts. Additionally, UQ provides support with budgeting and financial planning if you need it.
It’s also a very safe city, with a strong international community and a welcoming vibe. Many UQ-Ochsner students say Brisbane starts to feel like home in no time at all.
Academic Life at UQ
UQ-Ochsner’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is built on active, patient-centered learning. You won’t just memorize facts, you’ll learn to think like a doctor from day one. The curriculum combines lectures, team-based learning, practical workshops, and early clinical placements, all designed to build your clinical reasoning and patient communication skills.
As a UQ-Ochsner student, you’ll be in a dedicated cohort studying alongside like-minded classmates each year, creating a tight-knit, supportive learning community. Students come from all over the US, with backgrounds in biomedical science, nursing, public health, engineering, and more. As well as fellow Americans, you’ll learn alongside other UQ MD students from Australia and around the world.
UQ offers tailored support for MD students through the MD Learning Hub, which provides resources on academic skills, time management, wellbeing, exam preparation, and professional development. There are also staff dedicated to supporting UQ-Ochsner students specifically helping with anything from adjusting to life in Australia to planning for the USMLE exams.
USMLE Step 1 preparation is built into the program. You’ll sit a dedicated review course and have access to question banks, practice exams, and support from faculty who understand what it takes to succeed on the US medical licensing exams.
Student Life Abroad
Studying medicine abroad is a big decision but it also opens the door to incredible new experiences. In Brisbane, student life is active and diverse, with something for everyone.
Housing: UQ has on-campus residences as well as support to find off-campus apartments and shared houses. Most UQ-Ochsner students live in areas like St Lucia (near campus), Toowong, West End, or South Brisbane. These areas are all safe, social, and easy to access via public transport. Housing services can help with leases, roommates, and navigating the local rental market.
Travel: Brisbane is the gateway to some of Australia’s best travel destinations. On weekends, you can visit:
- The Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast (surf beaches and coastal hikes)
- Byron Bay (laid-back beach town)
- The Glass House Mountains or Springbrook (national parks and scenic trails)
- North Stradbroke Island (camping, swimming, and dolphin spotting)
During longer breaks, many students explore other parts of Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania), or take short trips to New Zealand, Bali, Fiji, or Southeast Asia. Brisbane Airport is just 25 minutes from campus, with regular international and domestic flights.
Student Activities: On campus, UQ offers hundreds of student clubs and societies—academic, cultural, social, sports, volunteering, and more. Whether you're into hiking, gaming, tennis, photography, or global health, there’s a club for it. UQ Sport also offers gyms, swimming pools, and organized fitness programs to help you stay active while studying.
Returning to the US for Clinical Years
After your pre-clinical years in Brisbane, you’ll transition back to the US for your clinical years (Years 3 and 4) at Ochsner Health in New Orleans, Louisiana. This part of the program is designed to help you apply everything you’ve learned in a real hospital setting and prepare for the residency match.
You’ll complete rotations in key specialties like internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB-GYN, and psychiatry, and gain hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced physicians. You’ll also receive support for residency applications, interview preparation, and Step 2 CK exam prep.
The transition process is smooth, with plenty of orientation and support to help you adjust. And you won’t be doing it alone, your entire cohort makes the move with you, so you’ll already have a built-in support network when you arrive in New Orleans.
Experience life in Brisbane as part of your medical journey.
Studying medicine in Australia gives you a global perspective, lifelong friendships, and a competitive edge for residency in the US. Learn more about the UQ-Ochsner MD program and see how far your adventure can take you.
