MOVING to Australia to embark on a new course is super exciting but it can also be extremely nerve-racking. On the one hand, you’re excited to study at one of Australia’s prestigious institutions, to enjoy the warm climate, make new friends, explore the amazing sights of the country, and experience a new culture, but on the other, you’re not entirely sure what to expect. With some preparation, you can ensure the move is as smooth as possible, so we’ve pulled together some things for you to consider before your big Aussie adventure.
First up, you’ll need your visa to gain proper access to the country. You can apply for a Higher Education Sector visa to cover your full-time course, but can only apply once you’ve accepted a place on a course at an Australian institution as you’ll need your enrolment letter for the application process. Make sure you also have evidence that you have sufficient funding, results from your English as a second language test, academic results, and you may be required to have a health examination before your entry into the country. Don’t forget health insurance, too – think about the type of coverage you’ll require, and whether you’ll be doing any travelling that you’ll need to include under the insurance. There is a special health insurance for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover, that’s definitely worth checking out. For additional help with improving your English, and finding out more about international scholarships, funding, and student loans, it’s often useful to contact your institution. Look online for the best student accounts that work for you, and get in touch with banks for more information on the best financial support for you during your studies.
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Australia has some of the most popular universities in the world, and most of them are located along the East coast. Melbourne and Sydney are also renowned for being great cities for students, thanks to their beautiful locations, great choice of courses, and global education recognition. Aussie students often take combined degrees with a number of subjects, generally taking three years to complete. Teaching is usually more relaxed than some other academic countries, with most courses offering teaching groups of between ten to thirty students per class. You’ll probably have the choice of starting your course in the first semester in March or the second in July. Once you’ve decided the course you’d like to study, take a look at league tables and choose the right institution for you.
If you’re not familiar with the area surrounding the institution you’re going to study at, this can seem a little daunting initially, but help is always available! A good place to start is contacting your college or university to see where current students usually reside and the options available to you. Once you’ve gathered this information, it’ll be a lot easier to check out specific areas online for you to stay. Make sure you consider things that you’d like to be near, whether that’s being located downtown, near the coast, or as close as possible to your classes. It’s also important to have a budget in mind that takes into consideration the cost of your new student lifestyle so that you can live as comfortably and affordably as possible.
Once you’ve sorted where what, and how you’re going to study in Australia, the fun bit begins! Get excited about the exploring you’ll do, the friends you’ll make, and the new culture you’ll experience. Studying in a new country is one of the best ways to meet new people, and you can look forward to meeting your new classmates and socialising in your student residence, many from Australia and others from all over the world. Unlike many other countries, Australia offers students automatic permission to work which is a great opportunity to meet others and earn money during your studies – who knows, it could lead to career opportunities after your studies too! Consider joining a club, as Aussie universities usually offer a wide variety of societies to join and many are free, from soccer to comedy clubs, or invest your time in volunteering at one of the country’s many charity organisations. Finally, make the most of the incredible Australian culture and this incredible country – meet friendly locals, see beautiful scenery, and enjoy an outdoors way of life with beach trips, national parks, surfing, hiking, and barbecues, and take full advantage of your Aussie adventure!
We love this series about Ronny Chieng, a Malaysian International Student in Melbourne. Check it out:
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