For those of you who are not familiar with college life in Australia, this article will provide you with a general overview of what you can expect as a student down under.
Academic Differences
One of the most unique qualities about higher education in Australia is the way that classes are taught. Many students equate learning with spending lots of time in a classroom simply because that is the type of environment that they are used to in their home country. In Australia, however, a greater emphasis is placed on teaching students how to think critically and be independent learners rather than having them spend excessive amounts of time in the classroom.
Most undergraduate programs in Australia are designed to be completed in three years, while most countries have programs that require at least four years to complete. The reason that undergraduate programs take less time to complete in Australia is because the majority of the coursework deals directly with the student’s major. General education courses and electives are not the focus in Australian colleges and universities.
As far as individual courses go, students can expect to have a combination of larger lectures and small group sessions. The emphasis in classes is research and independent learning, and students are expected to regularly contribute original ideas rather than simply repeating what they have learned in class. This type of learning enables students to become more self-confident and self-sufficient long before they have completed their studies.
International Environment
In most of the colleges and universities in Australia, international students make up about 30% of the student body. Australia has increasingly become a popular destination for college students from around the world who are looking to expand their horizons and gain experience in an environment that is completely different from what they are used to.
Also making Australia a popular choice for international students is their relatively low cost of living. Australia has consistently rated among the top five countries in the world for maintaining a low cost of living, yet offering residents a clean and safe place to live.
For students who are thinking about living off campus, however, it should be noted that housing and apartment rates have reportedly been on the rise in recent years. For the most part, housing costs vary greatly depending on what part of Australia you choose to live, but as a general rule, be prepared for rent costs that may be quite high.
Most international students would probably be better off choosing to live on campus rather than trying to obtain housing on their own. An alternative that might make this option more affordable, however, would be to find one or two people to share a home with so that the rent and utilities costs could be divided equally.
All the same, if you can afford it, Australia is a place to study.
