Australia is a land of sunshine and ample opportunities.
And do we even need to mention the fabulous beaches? This is a country blessed
with abundance, and is called the “Lucky Country” for good reasons. Stunning
coastlines surround it, and tropical rainforests are found in the northern
part. Australia has become synonymous with kangaroos and koalas, as well as the
ever-popular “barbie”.
Given that Australia has such a great
image, it is no surprise that international students looking to study abroad are
flocking Down Under to pursue their dreams. We did a little digging around to
find out what international students thought of their study in Australia
experience. Here what we have put together from our learning!
Cost
When it comes to cost, there is a downside
as well as an upside. The bad news upfront: Australia is expensive.
There’s no escaping the fact that the
Aussie dollar is quite a strong currency, and consequently, this land of plenty
can seem quite pricey, especially for those coming from developing countries.
Items that are of low cost in developing countries, like academic textbooks,
can burn a hole through your pocket in Australia.
The good news is that people usually earn
salaries that are high enough to maintain the standard of living.
Off the bat, these facts mean a few basic
things:
- Don’t dilly-dally in completing your degree, and start working as soon as you can after you graduate.
- It will be more economical to get off-campus housing like an apartment, and share it with your mates, rather than getting dormitory housing.
Lifestyle
In Australia, the quality of life and the
options for entertainment and leisure activities are, needless to say, off the
charts! This is especially true if you are living on the more populated Eastern
seaboard. Sydney, for example, has the world-famous Bondi beach as its prime
attraction. On the other hand, head over to Melbourne and you can get a taste
of the best coffee, enjoy strolling through iconic laneways, catch a game of
cricket at the MCG, or even some tennis at the Australian Open. International
students find the laidback Aussie lifestyle to be a great draw.
Social
life
A lot of international students do struggle
with communication in Australia, due to poor language skills. English is the
primary language of communication, even though Australia is highly
multicultural. However, we do have to say that the multicultural nature of
Australian society can be a source of comfort to those students who may be
feeling a twinge of homesickness. You likely won’t have to travel very far to
find people from your native country. Even if you don’t find fellow travellers
from your country, Australians are generally culturally open and friendly to
foreigners. Australia also has a great sporting culture and this allows folks
with an outdoorsy bent of mind to bond with their Australian buddies and make
friends quickly.
University
life
Unlike in more traditional Asian cultures, Australian
professors and university staff are generally very informal. However, don’t
mistake this for a lackadaisical attitude! Australian universities are at the
leading edge of research, and regularly punch “above their weight” when it
comes to the latest in science, technology, the arts, and the social sciences. Students
who study in Australia
often mention that Australians tend to work hard and play hard, and this is not
merely a cliché, but a reality. Along the same lines, the students find that
they have to shoulder a lot of responsibility in managing their academic
endeavors, and the workload is high. There is a tremendous amount of autonomy
that students have, and this forces them to take decisions like full-fledged
adults.
There you have it! Whether you are looking
to study abroad in
general, or study in
Australia in particular, this roundup of students’ views on the Australian
study experience will help you in learning more about this fun-loving and
friendly country. Our overseas education counsellors at Hurray —a trusted
overseas education consultant and IELTS training
institute in Bangalore--would love to address all your queries and support
your entire overseas education journey!
Write to us at: hurrayoverseas@gmail.com,
or call us at 8971357938 for a one-on-one session with our counsellors.
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