Australia is the realm where students reign supreme. At the tail end of the second decade of the twenty-first century, the continent is emerging as the premier location to pursue academic goals and live the life to the fullest. The infrastructure is practically adapted to be the perfect student playground, and there are several good reasons for it.
For one, it is an extremely economically stable country with cutting-edge industries that overlap in all the ways that matter. The high standard of life mixed with welcoming attitude of the typically postcolonial country has created a fertile “breeding soil” for the development of universities. Multiculturality is the deciding factor in all of this.
The can-do attitude of the sunny Land Down Under is practically contagious, and if you are an energy-charged student who’d like to work, study or volunteer, here’s how to see the attractions of Queensland on a budget.
The vast country of summer and beaches
Students dream of endless summer, and it appears that Queensland fulfills this alluring dream – it boasts circa 300 days of sunshine and 7000 kilometers of coastline. With the easy-to-rent system, you’ll get a car in no-time and be able to see countless beachside attractions this state has to offer. Its urbanities are also known for high-quality education that meets the highest worldwide standards.
This is why so many students from every corner of the globe flock to this corner of the world – to study and work or volunteer simultaneously. This way, they can have a chance to get the best education and amass working experience.
The land of opportunity and the biggest Barrier Reef
Many volunteering jobs, even though they are unpaid, offer invaluable learning experiences, access to the community and discipline. Considering that, as a student from abroad, you are an expat, it is very convenient when somebody can vouch for you on paper and in person – so even if you don’t get to earn your coverage in money, volunteering is a sure ticket for a stable residence in Queensland.
Now, considering how vast and beautiful Queensland is, you’ll want to balance out the three aspects of life – studying, traveling and working.
This is why you should pursue part-time jobs of hotel clerks, kitchen hands, farm help or, if you are lucky, even casual modeling gigs with no experience necessary. You can even use the unique opportunities offered by this specific state. For example, you can volunteer to help with the preservations of sea turtles and use the opportunity to enjoy the sheer wonder of Grand Barrier Reef.
Student exchanges are good opportunities
Even though Australia is an amazing country for students in general, there is a very specific elephant in the room that needs to be addressed – a matter of finances. Just as it is renowned for its stable infrastructure, the Land Down Under is notorious for its price range. It is by far one of the most expensive places in the world.
This is why it is not viable to enroll in a four-year-long university program for more than 75% of students in the world. A lot of times, even the most generous scholarships cannot cover for the sum total of costs.
However, there are other options to pursue and these options are much more tenable – for example, student exchanges. If your goal is to study for a year or two in Queensland, you should definitely pursue a student exchange program with one of premier Brisbane universities.
The city of Brisbane is not only the primary student center of Queensland, it is also one of the top ranking university cities in the world. This means that the competition can be really steep, and this is why you should always be prepared to embrace work/volunteer set of options that might go along with it.
The city has an impressive layout of campuses and a very impressive student accommodation in Brisbane that includes almost any service or amenity a student might require. This is a hotspot where you’ll mingle with people from different cultural backgrounds and create connections that might make all the difference in the world career-wise. It is also a location that puts you in the opportune position to many city highlights.
The beauties of Brisbane
If you are a student in Queensland, it is safe to assume you’ll spend a lot of your time darting along the sidewalks of Brisbane. If you are a bit thin on the financial side, owning a bicycle can be a true lifesaver, as you’ll have access to the entirety of the city’s network of streets, which means you’ll enjoy its highlights without having to pay for anything.
The city was founded as a penal colony in 1825 and the first civilian settlers started to build their houses in 1842. Over the last 170 years, it has grown to become the cultural and educational center of worldly stature. Some of the highlights include Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Museum of Brisbane, Street Mall, Story Bridge and many other.
Each Australian state offers a unique patchwork of landscapes and urbanities. Queensland is a home to some of the most captivating rainforest regions, expansive national parks, groovy camps, as well as quaint and tranquil towns and impressive cities.
There is of course, as the icing on the cake, the absolutely unique and spectacular Great Barrier Reef, the largest living thing on the planet that can be seen from outer space and the vibrant, 2500 kilometers long ecosystem of captivating, endemic flora and fauna. Queensland is a sort of a “playground” every student yearns for – a well-connected, modern and colorful state where the summer never ends.
Bio: Cooper Klein is a frequent traveller and an occasional writer from Sydney, Australia. In order to spend more time with his amazing family, Cooper decided to take a break from work. You can find him on Twitter.
