Hey TJ,
Before I start, sorry this is so long...
I'm currently studying in my second year at UNE, staying at Earle Page College, so I may be able to help you...
First of all, Armidale can get cold - very cold, but it depends on the year. This year has been relatively mild compared to the last few years. I believe we only got down to -8 ish this year, but that is over night, and all college rooms are centrally heated, so you don't really need to worry about that. This year, during the day, throughout winter, we had about 2/3 weeks where it didn't get over 12 degrees. But Spring also came very early this year - end of August. Comparatively, last year it snowed three times, was -15 ish and was cold. But you adapt very quickly, and get used to it. Eventually, in the middle of winter, in 5 degree temps, people walk around in shorts and thongs and think nothing of it.
Question 2 - Is drinking the only form of entertainment? Personally, I don't drink, and I've been there for two years. But as with literally every university in the world, there is a big drinking culture - and I mean BIG. Alcohol is used, by the students, as a reward and punishment. But (in most cases) you can say no. At Page, you can always say no to drinking, but at some other colleges at UNE, you can't say no. You have to drink. That's the drinking culture. BUT, saying that, if you are a non-drinker, you can't be forced to drink.
Arts/Law, from what I know of, has a good number of students. Saying that, you must realise that UNE is quite a big uni, but most students are off campus. There are only about 5,000 students on campus. As such, it is very personalised learning, and in a tutorial you may have 20/30 people compared to another uni with larger numbers of on campus students that has 100/200 students in a tutorial - not a lecture!
Political Science and International Relations play large parts in the School of Arts, but I wouldn't say there are millions that specialise in them in an Arts/Law degree. I study Languages and know that there are a good number of students studying in this field, though much less than some others. The lecturers are fantastic though, and will do everything they can to help out.
I honestly don't see how a Law Graducate can be disadvantaged by studying in a rural university. UNE is a very well respected university in both Australia and around the world. It has many sister universities around the world, and maintains a 5 star rating. I personally believe that by studying at a 'smaller' university you are getting a better education in your specialised area as it is a more personal learning system. The lecturers are always available and willing to help out when they can.
What are the best colleges? Ok, I'm biased, so naturally I'm gonna say Earle Page is the best. It honestly depends on what you are interested in as to which college you will fit into. Page is a very cultural college - we have the musical, choir, bands, have won SFK (the inter college cultural competition) for the past two years, and have specific scholarship for areas of the arts. All colleges are also involved in the MB (girls) and PT (guys) sports competitions. Page always participates, and also runs its own sporting competitions. Furthermore, Page is very big on Academics. We (along with other colleges) have Tues2Study, which is a big study session on Tuesday nights with lecturers, college members and members of the public. We also have inter-floor competitions as to the smartest floor and if you achieve, you are rewarded in the college.
Other colleges have stereotypes and specialize in particular areas. Robb are generally country bumpkins. It's a rough college, and very much into rugby. Albies are partially run by the Catholic Church and are also country people and into sports. Drummond and Smith doesnt really have a stereotype - they're just there instead
Duval is also a cultural college. Austin is a bit like D&S. Mary White is up on the hill and has more mature age students and Wright Village isn't really a college. It is a number of appartments stuck together. They don't really participate in inter-college Cultural and Sporting Events. There, also, you cook and clean for yourself.
In Armidale, on and off campus, if you want a club for something in particualr, there more than likely is one - you just have to find it. And that, usually, is the problem. I know that there are Young Liberals, and think there's mountaineering. Also, not quite the same, the boys on one of the floors at college have a beer and scotch appreciation society (lol) (Not quite the same, I know.). Intellectual life on campus? - Yes. Whatever you are studying, there is more than liekly at least one student group about it. For example, the EPC Law Society has recently started up. If you can't find one on college, there's probably one in town - eg. Alliance Francais.
And finally, where does everyone come from? The honest answer is everywhere. Speaking about people I know of, they come from Armidalem Sydney, Bathurst, Dubbo, Gold Coast, Mount Isa, Darwin, Albury, Melbourne, Western Australia, Launceston, Canberra - literally everywhere in Australia. And there's quite a lot of International Students too.
College life isn't really cliquey - pretty much everyone associates with one another, but you will form your groups aswell. It's a LOT more mature than high school. A LOT!
I also was the only person from my school to go to UNE, and when I got there, I knew no one. As to whether you should go to UNE or ANU, I can't decide for you. Asian Studies are taught at UNE and we have an excellent standing in the academic community.
I hope this has helped - sorry it's so long, but as you said, you need to know what's what from someone who's been there. If you've any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
