Study abroad in Australia
Country
overview
You will most likely be based in one of the bustling cosmopolitan cities -
often with a beach within a stone’s throw of your apartment. The
government’s relaxed viewpoint on immigration – with almost a quarter of the
population having been born overseas – brings a unique, fascinating, and
exciting aura and influence to these cities.
As
an international student studying abroad in Australia, you will not only
enjoy the vibrant city life, but venture from the urban neighborhoods and
you will be met with a wonderfully eclectic mix of environments – from
sun-drenched horizons, to the rugged wilderness of the Outback; the majestic
underwater world that is the Great Barrier Reef, to the surfers’ paradise
beaches of the Gold Coast.
A
Western culture has been adopted with regard to the arts and food, although
the multicultural population also have their influence. The laid-back
attitude and love of the outdoors could not be seen better than in the vast
array of major sporting events passing through the continent each year.
Australia most notably hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics. The Australian Open
(one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments), and the Formula One
Australian Grand Prix are annual events, whilst other popular sports include
Australian rules football, soccer, and surfing.
The underlying magnetism of this country is that one night you can find
yourself strolling round Sydney Harbor, and the next ‘crocodile hunting’ or
lazing on one of the many picturesque beaches the country has to offer. The
incredible Blue Mountains are just over an hour from Sydney. Having said
this, distances between some places can be huge. Australia is the sixth
largest country in the world, spanning three time zones. (see below for
details on travel). With one of the lowest population densities in the
world, it is not hard to escape the hustle and bustle should you need some
time out. It is indeed the sheer vastness of the country and the great
diversity of different regions that is the foundation to Australia’s
character.
Education overview
With 13 institutions in the, World University Ranking Top 200 Universities,
six of which are in the Top 50, Australian universities have a deserved
reputation for high international quality. Australian undergraduate
qualifications are regarded as being amongst the leading in the world.
Similar to the situation in the UK, very few scholarships are offered to
international undergraduate students.
Those leading the pack are the Group of Eight:
-
The University
of Adelaide
-
The Australian
National University
-
The University
of Melbourne
-
Monash
University
-
The University
of New South Wales
-
The University
of Queensland
-
The University
of Sydney
-
The University
of Western Australia
Pros and cons
|
|
 Clear
framework of qualifications
Reasonable
cost of tuition and living costs
Ability
to work and study
Good
international reputation for the quality of degrees |
 Ease
of gaining an entry visa
High
numbers of international students on some programmes |
International student accommodation
Accommodation will not prove a problem for international students in
Australia. Whether you opt for university flats or halls of residence,
private accommodation or even the very welcoming home-stays or farm-stays,
you will not be short of options. The most common option, however, for
international students is university accommodation, as this is the essence
of university life and the buzzing social scene which is part of study
abroad in Australia.
Weather/Climate
Seasons in Australia are the opposite of the northern hemisphere. Summer
begins in December, and winter in June. However, winters tend to be
pleasantly warm and being one of the driest countries on the planet means
that whatever your pastimes, they can generally be enjoyed all year round.
Summers can be uncomfortably hot up north, which can bring wet and very
humid weather – watch out for the swarms of box jellyfish in the sea around
this time. This is, however, the perfect time for the southern beaches.
Winter allows skiing in New South Wales and Victoria.
Transport
Australia is very well connected. Depending on how far you are traveling and
on your preferences, there will be an option to suit you. Domestic airlines
cover most routes between cities, and due to the distances and size of the
country, this may often be the best option. However, the road and rail
networks are comprehensive, and with some of the most spectacular drives in
the world – the Great Ocean Road is a must – a road trip can prove exciting
and rewarding.
Public transport is efficient and affordable. From the ferries and monorails
in Sydney to the trams of Melbourne, you will never be short of options. Bus
and trains are commonplace in most cities.
Cost*
|
|
Item |
Price |
|
|
litre of
petrol |
A$1.20
|
|
|
small
bottle of water |
A$2.50
|
|
|
small
bottle of beer |
A$3.00 |
|
|
Movie
ticket |
A$18.00 |
|
|
Souvenir
t-shirt |
A$30.00 |
|
|
Postcard |
A$2.00 |
|
|
litre of
milk |
A$2.00 |
|
|
cup of
coffee |
A$2.50 |
|
|
loaf of
bread |
A$3.30 |
|
|
street
treat (kebab) |
A$7.00 |
|
