Aside from being a haven for migrants and expatriates, Australia is also a prime destination for students from around the globe. And it only makes sense, the country cradles some of the best universities in the world, plus a whole lot of other perks and advantages.
But we have to admit, the life of a foreign student here is never straightforward. It is laden with surprises (“We can drink tap water here?!), disappointments (“I thought it’s always beach season here.”), and culture shocks (“I volunteered to take the wheel aaand it’s right-hand drive!”). But fear not. We have gathered the things every aspiring foreign learner needs to know before if they want to set foot here and get their precious degree from the Land Down Under.
The Student visa (subclass 500) allows you to come and stay here in Australia to study full-time until your course is finished. However, you need first to be accepted in a recognised education institution in the country before you may apply for the visa. And a forewarning: it can be expensive.
We understand, you miss mom and dad, and your BFF needs to see that tropical henna you got, but consuming your entire day communicating and updating people from home is a no-no. Australia is teeming with people, places, and things to be discovered.
So go outside, meet people, join clubs, create your network, eat Aussie food, and explore the places. Australia is a free-market place of (purely legal) activities. You can update your family and friends under five minutes (that’s what social media is for), then get out. It’s an exciting world out there. Within these are hidden opportunities you may never find again when you get back to your country. So don’t waste time. Carpe diem!
And since you are already out...
We know, we know. A few days in Australia, especially in bigger cities, brings out the inner child from people. What with the cool atmosphere and the quirky architectures and… is that a living statue? Better take a picture with it!
Despite the ultra-low crime rate, some pick pockets still roam in the crowds here. So be alert, ditch the souvenir t-shirt and the digital camera hanging on your neck, and stop zoning out. You don’t want to have that precious allowance be a goner.
And speaking of allowance…
Australia fosters independence and resourcefulness among its youth, which is why it gives foreign students the opportunity to work while studying. However, you can only start working once your course has commenced. You will be allowed to work for 40 hours per fortnight (fortnight = 2 weeks) if your course is in session. If not, you can work for as long as you want. Employment that is a registered part of your course won’t be part of this 40 hour-limit. So yes, you will have a lot of options coming.
Most likely than not, you have a bank account in your country. Get this, withdrawing them here in Oz can get you ridiculous amount of fees. Opening a bank account can be more practical, especially if you want to be employed and earn some side cash. Not to mention, some banks here offer considerable interest rates, all while saving you from a lot of banking fees.
Back home, getting a D on your card means you have to rethink your life of partying and skipping classes, probably while having a drink or two. Here in Oz, receiving a D means your hard work paid off and it’s a reason to be happy, probably while also having a drink or two (there is always a reason to drink, doesn't it).
A grade of D means “Distinction,” and is equivalent to an A in other countries. Other grades include (in descending order) C or Cr for Credit, P for Pass, PC for Pass Conceded, and N for Fail, which are respectively equivalent for B, C, C-, D, and F. Anything higher than D is HD, for High Distinction.
Students from the United States and Canada will come here during June expecting to see a lot of sun and warm weather, thus bringing only their loosest clothes and sandals. And alas! They are greeted by a chilly winter.
If you are from the northern hemisphere, anticipate Australia’s seasons to be a complete reversal. The warmest months are from December to February (during summer) while the coldest are June to August (winter season). And this gets more complicated depending on wherever you are in the country. Likewise, never rely too much on the weather forecast. Be ready for anything.
If you just landed here and excited to see the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and Ayers Rock within your first year (they sure would look great in a single Instagram collage), then we need to tell you to quit that fantasy.
Most people live here all their lives and never visited all of them. Because Australia is huge, and there’s no way to exaggerate it. It takes a lot of money and time to visit these one by one. Unless you have lots of disposable income, then it would be possible. Slightly.
Unlike in the United States, Canada, or much of Europe, Australians still hold on to their coins. They never relegate them to be just stuck between cushions and be forgotten. That’s because the one and two Australian dollar denominations are still in form of loose change.
And what can these coins buy? A liter of gasoline (AU$1.28), a kilo of potatoes (AU$3.14), a liter of whole milk (AU$1.38), a kilo of apples (AU$4.00), or a piece of bread for a day for two people (AU$2.22). Losing these metal currency means wasting the money that can buy you everyday things.