The life of international students in Australia is not as easy as we think. Therefore, international students in Australia should pay more attention to the life of studying abroad and pay more attention to the study abroad suggestions of those who have come here.
The followings are several advice for studying abroad in Australia for international students:
- When you arrive in Australia for the first time, you need to bring some Australian dollar cash with you in case of emergency. After meeting with our pick-up staff, you can call the families to report safety as time permits. The pick-up staff will then take the student directly to the dormitory or host family.
- Students who choose a homestay family need special attention – household chores are often shared among family members: cleaning, cooking, shopping, gardening, laundry and repairs. As a member of the family, you should also share in these chores, cleaning your own room, doing laundry, and helping with cooking. If you live with an Australian family, it is important not to disturb their lives.
- The cost of living in Australia depends on your lifestyle. Your tuition fee does not include accommodation, transportation, books, stationery, meals and other daily expenses, so you need to budget for all your expenses other than tuition, including travel. Many international students often underestimate the cost of living, so that they have to constantly deduct food or transportation expenses, which is highly undesirable. You can save some money relatively, but it is not as easy as in many Asian countries. Some things are much cheaper to buy domestically and you can bring them to Australia.
- Making a phone call is an indispensable part of life in Australia. To make a call at a public telephone booth, it is best to buy a magnetic card. For domestic long-distance calls in Australia, the distances vary and the charges vary. If you make an international call, dial 0011 first, then dial the international number and phone number.
- In Australia, you must learn to deal with banks. You should have a bank account. Most Australian banks are open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Fridays. A small number of banks will offer some services on Saturdays from 9:30am to 12:00pm (except public holidays). In large cities, daily deposits and transfers can be made through ATMs.
- Every overseas student will have an overseas health insurance card, and you can enjoy certain discounts. Medical care in Australia is expensive, you have to pay for medicines, and medical insurance covers some basic expenses. You can also take out some other additional coverage if you wish. Most universities have their own medical services, and generally, when you are sick or concerned about your health, you can go there first. If you are unable to attend classes due to illness, your doctor will provide your instructor with a certificate of your health. The services they provide are usually free. Your doctor will give you special treatment if necessary. Australia’s medical facilities are absolutely top-notch, so you don’t have to worry about not getting the best treatment.
The above are some of the concerns about life in Australia that have been introduced to international students by those who have come here. Hope they can help you.
