Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity that some colleges offer. The locations vary from school to school or program to program, but common places include England, Japan, Spain, Australia and Italy.
Australia in particular seems most exotic, due to being almost exactly on the other side of the earth-not to mention in an entirely new hemisphere! There is no better way to broaden one’s horizons, so if such an opportunity is presented to you, then seize it while you still can.
The most important thing to consider when studying abroad is the fact that you will not be there as a tourist on a week-long vacation. Rather, you need to realize that you will in fact be a temporary resident. This mind-set will allow you to properly prepare for the dramatic change in your life.
Australia provides a great choice for study abroad location for a few reasons. First, it is “exotic,” yet you can get around without having to learn another language, which makes the prep time for a trip there much less than it would be to another “exotic” country like China or Chile.
It is also known for legendary friendless amongst the people who live there, and there are fantastic beaches, activities in Sydney such as museums, restaurants, and of 海外留學 course their famous opera house!
And it’s also a great choice for anyone who loves outdoor activities. You can go hiking, or enjoy one of the many beaches, and even take surfing lessons!
In addition, when it comes to studying in Australia, the quality of the facilities is guaranteed to be high because in 2000, the Australian government began a program called ESOS (Education Services for Overseas Students). This program is designed to protect international students who are studying abroad. In fact, according to the Australian government, in 2007 there were over 400,000 students who studied abroad in Australia!
The Australian government has also authorized a system of learning called AQF (Australian Qualification Framework) designed to ensure quality in the schools.
And students on a budget (especially after heading overseas) will be happy to learn that the exchange rate in Australia makes it more affordable than living in the US or UK (the other two most popular English-speaking countries for international students).
Some things to consider include the seasons-remember, since Australia is in the southern hemisphere, their summers are over the December-March months while their winters are over June through September. Mind-boggling, isn’t it? So don’t pack your bags with winter gear if you plan on staying in Australia over Christmas!
Also research and set up everyday things that you may not think much about, such as finances (check to see if your bank has branches in Australia-if not, set up an Australian checking/debit account and transfer needed funds from your American account), common foods and restaurants, driving regulations (if you plan on driving, check laws regarding Australian licenses and insurance), local wildlife and pests, and of course your living situation.