Why Go?

Could this be for you?

There are lots of different reasons for wanting to study DownUnder, but we find that four main drivers come up time and time again. Does one of these apply to you? Read on to find out…

1. THE TRAVELLER 

This is about people who love to see the world. You may have already spent time in Australia and would like to go back. You love discovering different cultures and lifestyles and meeting new people. You would probably put travelling at the top of your list of favourite things, but – like most of us – don’t have the time or the money to be on holiday all year round! But what if you could spend six months, or a year, or even two years living in Australia studying a valuable, recognised qualification? It’s the chance to indulge your love of the Antipodean lifestyle and culture, but at the same time work toward improving your CV, or learning new skills – in short, it’s time well spent in every way!

RIA LADNUIK, 24, studying Diploma of Community Welfare Work at Holmesglen TAFE, Melbourne

“I had been to Australia twice before, once for six months on a working holiday visa and again two years later to visit friends, and when I arrived it was just as good as I remembered. My first impressions of the college were very positive. It’s a nice size; not too big or too small, it’s surrounded by trees, is clean and has friendly staff. I was here for a week before my course started and was keen to get stuck in, but also a bit nervous about what the course, the teachers and the people in my class would be like. It didn’t take me long to settle in. After just a few days I felt right at home – as though I was somewhere I could belong. I chose to come to Melbourne as it is a great city with lots to see and do, very multi-cultural, plus it is where some close friends live, and it is close enough to other nice cities including Adelaide and Sydney.

“If it is possible, the course here is even better than I expected it to be. It is covering and teaching me things that I am very interested in and which I hope to pursue a career in. It is quite a new college, so everything is in good condition, and that helps to make it a pleasant place to learn. The teachers are really friendly, approachable and always happy to help if we need it.

“I am living in accommodation owned by Holmesglen. Our house is five minutes away from college by bus, or a 35 minute walk, in a lovely quiet, green suburb. My house is a bungalow, which I share with two other international students. We get all the bills, local calls and internet connection included in our monthly rent. I applied for the accommodation before I left England, and it was easy to set up. There is plenty of other accommodation options if you do not stay in the institute, so you won’t be short of a place to live.

“When I am not studying, I go out with friends to the city, relax in the park, go to local festivals, read, volunteer, swim… the list of things to do is endless. When you first arrive with British pounds, your money stretches quite far, but when you start to earn dollars, the price of things seems similar to England.

“It is easy to meet new friends. Aside from in class, student services have sports teams, groups and run trips where you can meet people. Everybody here is very welcoming, helpful and friendly. My advice to anyone who wants to study here? Make sure you do your research! Look into different courses and also different locations carefully. When you are getting ready to come over, make sure that you think about what you need, and pack sensibly. When you arrive, wear sun cream!! It is HOT in summer, even when it is cloudy, so protect your skin. It is Australia, but it does get cold, so bring warm clothes too! Remember, it isn’t a holiday, so be prepared to work hard as well as have fun.”

 

2. THE SPECIALIST

There are some industries that Australia leads the world in and, if you want to work in one of these, there simply isn’t a better place to train. Two good examples are natural therapies, and travel and tourism. The root of the country’s reputation in these fields lies in its training – doing a course in one of these areas in Australia gives you the chance to absorb some of the skills and knowledge behind the reputation.

PIPPA WALKER is studying a Diploma in Remedial Massage at the Australasian College of Natural Therapies in Sydney

“I went from a media career in the UK to studying a Diploma in Remedial Massage at ACNT in Sydney. I chose the college as its courses and qualifications are recognised by ITEC, the UK examining body for massage therapists.

“It took me a few weeks to settle in here, mostly because I needed to find a permanent place to live, but the course really helps you feel settled quickly as everyone is in the same boat. You’re with your classmates all the time so you bond quickly and the course is so full-on that you have a lot in common.

“I chose to study in Sydney as I know the city and love it. It’s big, with lots going on, but not overwhelmingly big like London. It’s every bit as good as its reputation and hype.

“The course is excellent. I am actually amazed at just how high the standards are here. There are national standards for the natural therapies industry in Australia that are very exacting. We have to do stuff like occupational health and safety and professional development as well as massage, which I didn’t expect. They take the industry and its professionalism very seriously here – things seem miles ahead in Australia.

“It’s been a total departure for me to be in the natural therapies field and I am loving it. This environment is so different and so great. The people on my course are just lovely, and that is what I have appreciated most. It feels like we are all in this together.

“The teachers are all friendly and nice and will do whatever they can to support you. Most of them seem to be working natural therapists in their own right and not just teachers so they are very easy to talk to (as you would expect from a natural therapist) as well as being very knowledgeable and supportive of students.

“I feel totally comfortable here as an international student, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! I find that I have much to gain from this experience, mostly due to stepping totally outside of what is the norm for me professionally.”

3. THE MIGRANT

You’ve decided you’d like to live and work DownUnder. Maybe just for a few years, maybe you’re hoping to make the move permanent. Either way, it’s worth bearing in mind that Australian colleges offer courses that train students in the trades and professions that are in demand in Australia. So doing a college course in the right area could be the perfect opportunity for you to gain the skills the country is looking for.

NOTE: Please note that Study Options is not a migration agency and does not give migration advice. If you want to use your studies as a route to migration, we strongly recommend you seek professional advice from a registered, qualified Australian migration agent. MARA holds the details of registered migration agents − a list of Australian migration agents can be found online at www.themara.com.au.

 

NICKY MONTGOMERY is studying in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

“I’m studying at Coffs Harbour Education Campus in New South Wales. I wanted to study in Sydney initially but in order to qualify for permanent residency I had to study in a regional area. I researched the areas, asked Australian friends for their opinion, and decided to study at Coffs Harbour. It has beautiful beaches and is accessible to both Sydney and Brisbane, where I have friends. The pace of life is slower than it is at home and that was an attraction for me as well. There are beautiful villages and towns nearby, rainforests and banana plantations.

“I got to Australia in December 2008. I’d been before so knew what I was coming to. When I arrived I felt I was ‘home.’ Australia is a very positive, forward-thinking, open-minded country and, having grown up in Belfast during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, I find it a very refreshing place to be. I was extremely excited to finally arrive.

“I have always felt at home here. People have been welcoming, kind and helpful. Living in Australia is all that I expected it to be and more.

“I’ve only just enrolled on my course, but first impressions are good; I think it will be challenging and rewarding. The college facilities are great; TAFE is like a community in itself. The atmosphere is positive, teachers are extremely helpful and there are plenty of extra curricula activities going on which is a great way to meet new people.

“I have met lots of people here and when I am invited somewhere I always go because I need to make friends. I live across the road from the beach and usually go there if I have any free time, to soak up the sun, watch the surfers and read.

“Moving to Australia really was a lifelong dream for me. I first came in 2007 as part of a round-the-world trip, and simply knew I would come back. I had to keep focused on the dream, speak to the right people (who aren’t going to rip you off), put the effort in to researching different options and used Stefan and Study Options to keep on the right path.

“If you’re thinking of doing this, you must be prepared to study. Don’t come to Australia thinking it is all going to be easy; like a big holiday. Study means study and you will need to work in order to support yourself… It is fun but challenging.”

 

4. THE LIFE-CHANGER

Feeling fed up at work? Fancy retraining to do something new? You’re not alone – lots of people head over to Australia each year to learn a new skill and pick up a qualification that’ll put them on track to work in an exciting new industry. The added bonus, obviously, is that you get to do the training in another country – and in the sunshine…

CASSIE STILL is studying Beauty Therapy in Sydney

“I’m studying beauty therapy at Ultimo in Sydney. I came over by myself to do the course, though my brother lives here and I’d been to Oz before and loved it. I really like my course. It’s way more hands on than I expected, which is great, that makes it much easier to learn, I think. The college is nice and there’s heaps of room and equipment to practice everything on. It’s a good place to study, not huge so there’s nowhere just to hang out on your breaks and stuff but pretty modern and has all the equipment you need. The teachers are really nice, and it’s easy to get in touch with them if you get stuck. I feel very at home already, it’s pretty easy to settle in! Everyone is so friendly and easy to get along with and I’m loving the course I’m doing!”