Australia conjures up images of vibrant coral reefs, stunning beaches, and fierce fauna. There is however much information to absorb about this island country. Do your homework on Australian history, cuisine, and customs if you’re thinking about studying there. If you don’t, you can get into a jam or be met with unpleasant surprises when you arrive at your destination.
There are some details that may not have been covered in your pre-departure orientation packet, regardless of whether you are studying in Australia through a third-party program provider, your home university’s program, or by enrolling directly at a university in Australia. Before you pack your bags and head to Australia, let us help you get caught up on the essentials.
1. Long-term study in Australia requires a student visa.
A student visa is required for any educational program in Australia that will last longer than three months. The application procedure is straightforward. No trips to the embassy are required, nor is any waiting for the document to arrive in the mail; everything is handled digitally and is effectively linked to your passport. The base application fee for this visa is $650 AUD (about $450 USD).
Spend less time and money on paperwork by using a standard visitor visa if your course of study will last less than three months.
2. Consider the need for health insurance.
Depending on the program you enroll in, health insurance may be provided; however, if you enroll in a university in Australia independently of a study abroad program, you will likely be forced to get health insurance there.
Foreign students studying in Australia are mandated by law to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). There is a wide variety of OSHC policies available from insurers, therefore it is important to enroll in a plan that meets your needs. Don’t forget to double-check with your study abroad program to find out the ins and outs of what they cover and what they don’t.
3. Costs in Australia are high.
Both Sydney and Melbourne are consistently named among the top 10 most expensive cities worldwide. Everything from rent to food is going to cost more than you think, so save up beforehand. Numbeo estimates that a centrally located one-bedroom apartment in Melbourne will cost $1,400 USD, while a similarly located one-bedroom apartment in Sydney will cost slightly under $2,000 USD.
Make a spending plan and try your best to stay inside its confines. In addition to your tuition, lodging, and board, you should set aside $6,000 to $7,000. If it seems like a lot of money, research how to save money while studying in Australia.
4.While in Australia, you will be able to work.
Do you recall having to spend a lot of money for your student visa? You can get that cash back, after all. The standard Australian student visa allows for 20 hours of weekly employment.
With a minimum pay of $21.38 AUD ($14.89 USD) per hour, it’s definitely worthwhile to try to juggle employment and school in Australia. It’s a fantastic method to make connections in your new city and looks fantastic on a CV.
5. Changing of the Seasons
If you travel to Australia during the summer in the northern hemisphere, you will arrive in the middle of winter. And while thoughts of warm weather and sandy beaches may be dancing in your brain, know that even in southern capitals like Sydney and Melbourne, winters can be quite chilly. In July, Sydney experiences its coolest weather with highs of 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius) and lows of 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) on average. July is also the coolest month in Melbourne, with highs of 55F (13C) and lows of 44F (7C). Pack your bags with care!
6. Learn the written and unwritten laws that govern driving.
There’s a decent possibility that you’ll need to rent a car while you’re away from home. Know that, like other Commonwealth countries, Australians drive on the left side of the road before you get behind the wheel. There may be cameras monitoring your every move. And for whatever reason, you shouldn’t go out on the roads at first light or last light!
This may seem completely unrelated, but kangaroos are especially difficult to spot in the early morning, late evening, and at night. Not only will they wreck your car, but they’ll probably wreck your heart as well. Imagine how terrible it would feel to inadvertently hurt something so amazing.
7. Ignore preconceived notions
It’s not appropriate to refer to females as “sheilas” and you won’t see everyone walking around in full safari garb and wrestling crocodiles, despite what you may have seen on television. Some parallels exist, such as the greeting “G’day,” but that’s about it.
When it comes to generalizations, it’s important to learn as much as can about before enrolling in classes there. What is the capital of Australia, to provide one example? Canberra! Do your research to show that you respect local customs and are well-informed about the country you’re visiting.
No matter the study abroad program you choose, you’re bound to catch a whiff of Australia’s famously chill culture, love of the outdoors, and infectious positivity.
8. Learn about the indigenous Australians' past.
Similar to the United States, Australian faces difficulties in overcoming its troubled history with the treatment of its indigenous people. Before European colonialism began in 1788, Australia was home to a diverse group of indigenous people known collectively as Australia’s First Nations. This group includes both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Since the commencement of colonization, indigenous Australians have suffered a great deal of humiliation and cruelty at the hands of the colonizers. The Stolen Generations refers to the time from 1910 to the 1970s, during which thousands of Indigenous Australian children were forcibly abducted from their homes and delivered to white families to be raised.
You can better appreciate Australia as a destination and as a people by learning about the country’s socioeconomic past and its current difficulties. The term “Aborigine,” which is used to refer to persons of various indigenous origins, is now deemed offensive. However, it’s best to avoid using language that could be disrespectful or damaging to others, even though it might be overlooked if it came from an outsider.
9. Slang in Australia is rather extensive.
Australian English is distinguished by more than just an idiosyncratic lilt. There is a large body of slang terms unique to Australian English that can be perplexing to speakers of standard English or English as a second language. Despite a few word-for-word parallels with British English (such as the use of lift in place of elevator and chips in place of fries), Australians have a distinct way of speaking that reflects their laid-back and humorous culture.
10.Many Australians like spending time in the great outdoors.
The pleasant climate in Australia encourages a wide variety of outdoor pursuits, and the locals make the most of it. Outdoor activities such as lounging on the beach, playing sports, and going camping and grilling are popular with Aussies. Keep in mind, if you’re not the outdoorsy kind, that most activities will involve some sort of outdoor activity. There is no shortage of fantastic day adventures in Australian for individuals who appreciate outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and four-wheeling.
11. It's a really large nation.
The Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, the Outback, the Sydney Opera House, and countless other landmarks are all integral parts of the “Australian dream” for many people throughout the world. But unless you have endless time and money, your dream of seeing everything in Australian is probably wishful thinking. For reference, it is around a 46-hour drive from Perth, on the western coast, to Brisbane, on the eastern coast. It’s faster to drive from Los Angeles to Washington, DC than fly.
No matter where you decide to study, you’ll never be far from some wonderful attractions, and you can definitely afford at least one major vacation, but don’t get your hopes up about visiting the entire country.
12. There is a new system of grades.
You should learn the meaning of your Australian grades if you expect to receive any. Learn how your US grades compare to those given at Australian universities.
Instead of being disheartened with a C on your first project, consider yourself fortunate to have earned an A.
13. Challenges arise due to the time difference.
Australian is 15 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone. If you plan on arriving in the morning, you should try to stay up (and preferably active) for the entire day. If you arrive late, sleep. It’s best to start using the new time zone immediately.
However, once you’ve recovered from jet lag, you’ll have to deal with the even more challenging problem of determining an appropriate time zone in which to contact your loved ones back home. Australia has three time zones (five during daylight savings time), which is significantly different from the United States’ one.
