In recent years, more and more students have chosen to study in Australia. This is undoubtedly a wise choice – international students can not only receive world-class education here, but also leave unique memories here. However, while you’re enjoying the life of studying abroad, Australia is a fairly unique country so it might help to know and be prepared for a few things when living there. For starters all major universities in Australia are run in English, so when applying for a course at an Australian University they often require a certain level of proficiency in the language. But don’t worry get Englishfirm PTE Coaching in Sydney to help improve for the tests and get the best possible scores.
Dress
In terms of dressing, it should be noted that Australia is located in the southern hemisphere and the climate is just the opposite of the northern hemisphere. September-November in Australia is spring, summer is from December to February, autumn is from March to May and winter is from June to August. And Australia’s major cities are concentrated in the coastal areas. The northern area has a humid and hot tropical climate. The other eastern and western coastal areas have relatively warm and pleasant climates, while the southern coast and Tasmania are cooler overall. In general, Australia’s climate is relatively mild. When it comes to choosing clothes, it is not necessary to bring thick clothes and bedding to keep warm when studying in Australia. Of course, basic warm clothes such as coats are still necessary.
Australians usually wear casual clothes, and perhaps it is their unrestrained character. On the streets of big cities such as Melbourne, you can often see formal white-collar workers sitting on the side of the road eating bread. At school, it is mainly casual. Most students dress in jeans and T-shirts, except for more formal occasions, such as dance parties and graduation ceremonies. For such occasions, two formal dresses are still required. Normally, the campus is full of teachers and students dressed in casual clothes. In addition, there is a coup for saving money. You can find a suitable “barter exchange” through the school bulletin board and BBS. Second-hand formal wear can also be found here. Now this method is very popular among young people. You can save a lot of money by exchanging useless things for what you need, and you can also get to know many friends.
Accommodation problem
- Dormitory: In Australia, the cost of living in school is the most expensive among the available accommodation options. Students can choose single rooms, double rooms or request a separate bathroom. Most schools provide meals, and some dormitories have kitchens where students can cook by themselves.
- Homestay: Students can choose a host family when they first arrive in Australia to get in touch with the life of Westerners and understand the customs of local Australians, and the cost is relatively moderate. It will be of great help for students entering Australia for the first time. However, students should respect the living habits of the host family and try not to return late. If you are not used to food, you can tell the landlord. If students want to move, they need to inform the landlord two weeks to one month in advance, and remember to report your preferences and taboo food so that they can prepare for shopping.
- Renting: When renting a house from an intermediary, pay attention to the contract period and do not breach the contract. If you are looking for a co-living room, you should understand each other and try to be familiar friends. If you need to buy furniture in an empty house, you can read weekend newspapers and school advertisements. Many places sell second-hand furniture on weekends every week. Accommodation is basically calculated on a weekly basis, and a deposit of 2-4 weeks is required, usually after paying the fee first. Be sure to remember to ask for receipts and contracts, and to understand the rules carefully.
Traffic problems
There are many modes of transportation that students can choose when they arrive in Australia. In addition to buses, trains or private cars, they can also choose taxis. In some cities, there are trams or ferries. Australia’s public transportation system is very punctual, basically implemented in accordance with the scheduled timetable. Students can check the schedule of trains online, at the bus station or at the school. When taking public transportation, students can buy weekly tickets, monthly tickets, coupon tickets, etc., and there will be certain discounts. There will be fewer trains on weekends than on weekdays.
If you want to take a Taxi in Australia, you can choose to call a taxi or go to a taxi station. There are not many taxis in Australia, so it feels not very convenient. Private cars are the most convenient way in Australia. On average, every family in Australia owns one or two private cars, and Australia itself is very sparsely populated, so there is no trouble driving in traffic jams. However, it should be noted that we must strictly abide by the Australian traffic system: the passengers on the bus need to wear a seat belt, drinking and driving is absolutely prohibited in Australia. So far, Australian states and territories are considering allowing Australian students to obtain transportation concessions when traveling across continents. This policy is a very important welfare for students.
Medical insurance
You can bring your own medicine. OSHC can guarantee that international students are free to get prescriptions for medical treatment during their studies, and medicines for colds and other minor illnesses are free. Other medicines are not free.
Communication charges
Long distance fare is low. Depending on how much you spend on mobile phones, you can choose the contract signed by different companies. There are always companies that have free time and discounted networks. There are many international long-distance calling cards in each city, and the rates are often changed, but in general, the cost is relatively cheap, and the minimum call back to China is about 0.1 yuan/minute.
Part-time job problem
Seventy percent of Australian international students have had part-time work experience. The government allows overseas students to work in Australia. In Australia, whether they are international students or locals, most students will choose part-time jobs to meet their daily needs as adults. According to regulations, international students can have 40 hours of part-time work every two weeks, and there is no time limit on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Students can freely allocate part-time hours.
Overseas students must ask the school to write a certificate and submit a job application to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; after obtaining a work permit visa, they must first apply for a tax number online at the tax bureau to file tax returns on a regular basis so that they can start working. It is generally difficult to find a good job in Australia without a tax file number. July is the month of tax rebate every year, and tax rebates can be processed for purchases and work less than AUD 6000.
This is a simple guide of daily life for studying in Australia. If you want to learn more about the overseas study in Australia, you can visit CatEight.
