Study Down Under in 2008

Did you miss the applications deadline for courses in Australia and New Zealand this February? Don’t panic – you probably still have time to get into the July intake. Both countries offer flexible intakes into their higher education courses, making it easier for international students to get organised with their applications and visas.

In this article, we look at what your life as a student down under could be like – and how you can make sure you are there in just six months time.

Study in the ‘lucky country’

There are many reasons why Australia has become one of the most popular study destinations for international students. A safe, friendly country with a strong reputation for quality education, Australia offers a great climate and a high standard of living - at a lower cost than the US or the UK. And whether you choose to study in a cosmopolitan city or experience the “real Australia” in country or coastal towns, you will have a chance to see some truly unique wildlife and landscapes.

Andrea Schäfer, from Germany, chose to live on the coast near Wollongong (about 70km south of Sydney) when she completed her PhD. “I was literally overlooking the sea, the sound of the waves reducing my stress levels. This has been a wonderful experience of the Australian countryside. People are friendly, less rushed, and it is a lot easier to make friends than in the city. I spend most of my spare time bushwalking, exploring the numerous national parks in the area.”

Your choice of course could also take you to a country town, such as the Bendigo campus of La Trobe University. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in a bush setting just 90 minutes drive from Melbourne, the small faculty/student ratios provide students with more personal attention.
Or you could head to the tropical north, and study at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef - one of the natural wonders of the world. James Cook University is one of Australia’s top research universities, and is located on the north Queensland coast with campuses at Cairns and Townsville. You could spend your free time snorkelling on the reef, or exploring rainforests.

A natural alternative in New Zealand

Did you know that every new day in the world begins in New Zealand? A three hour flight east from Australia, New Zealand has also become a popular choice for students wanting to learn English or further their higher education. A third of their international student population come from China, and you will also meet many students from Japan and South Korea, thanks to its close proximity to these countries.

A young country with a fresh outlook, New Zealanders are known for their adventurous spirit and inventive ideas. As a former British colony, their education system is based on the British system and offers world-class facilities and internationally recognised qualifications. Class sizes are relatively small, and very welcoming.
And if you want adventure, New Zealand has it all. From mountain climbing to surfing, river kayaking to hiking, this island nation is an outdoor adventure playground. Snow capped mountains are within a few hours drive of golden beaches.

The cities are small – Auckland, the largest, has around 1.3 million people. But they offer everything you could want in terms of nightlife, shopping and culture.

Serkan Ates, from Turkey, chose to complete his PhD in pastoral management in New Zealand. With a highly developed pastoral sector and world-class qualifications on offer, Serkan’s research has involved studying the best grazing management practices. And in between his busy studies, he also found time to meet and marry a fellow international student, from Indonesia.

If the idea of studying in Australia or New Zealand this July is appealing, you need to complete a full application this month. Applications are currently being reviewed on a rolling admissions basis, so the earlier you apply, the earlier you will have an answer. But don’t panic – your StudyLink counsellor can help you through this process quickly and easily. Contact us now for more information.

Application Deadlines

Australia and New Zealand – Apply now to start in July/August 2008. Application deadlines are approaching, especially if you live in visa level 3 and 4 countries like India and China.

We recommend you submit your application and supporting documents to us by the end of February to give yourself enough time. You do not need to scan and attach your documents; a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course, completing your applications, and confirming your enrolment.

Applications are now opening for 2009 scholarship programs.

USA and Canada – The main term starts in September but several start dates are available throughout the year. You can still submit your application to start in September 2008, but you should contact your counsellor immediately. We encourage you to apply well in advance to secure a place and to allow time to apply for your visa.

Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

UK – Submit your application to StudyLink now to start in September 2008, the UK's main term. It is best to get your application in early, as popular courses will start to fill up soon.

We recommend you submit your application and supporting documents to us as soon as possible, even with your latest results. You do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course, completing your applications, and confirming your enrolment.

Australia: New business program gets graduates job-ready

In the first university programme of its kind, students studying the new Professional degrees at Griffith University are on-campus before the first trimester even begins.

The new Bachelor of Commerce (Professional) in Accounting or Financial Planning allows students to network and learn from industry through a professional development program. It was introduced this year to meet demand for more qualified professionals who could get the job done from day one.

“During the Ernst & Young Bachelor of Commerce Professional Development Program students will get to hear and interact with industry representatives,” said Dr Mark Brimble, Director of the Griffith Business School. “On the final day we’re holding an industry breakfast where students will get to network with more than 20 industry representatives.”

The program allows students to combine technical skills with practical understanding. “Technical skills are only one component in what makes people successful in business,” says Ernst & Young Queensland Managing Partner, Jenny Parker.

After their first year, students also complete a paid industry placement part-time, and study part-time for the remaining two years.

Professional development sessions run throughout the degree, covering practical matters like dealing with clients, networking, time recording and budgeting, file management, personal planning and an introduction to industry software.

As well as Ernst & Young, many other companies are involved in the program – including KPMG, Tupicoffs, Marsh Ticknell and the ICAA.

Griffith Business School is based at the university’s Logan campus just south of Brisbane, and also offers one of the best MBA programs in Australia. For more information on any of the courses available at Griffith University, talk with one of our counsellors today.

Cricos Provider Code: 00233E

New Zealand: UC wind study has huge impact

Highlighting the University of Canterbury’s reputation for innovative research, a recent wind study has been named one of New Zealand’s latest research success stories.

Led by the university’s academic Professor Andrew Sturman (Geography), the project looked at the effects of complex terrain on local winds, using both measurement and modelling techniques.

The research team was surprised by the huge amount of consulting work that resulted from their findings. With implications for aviation, horticulture and wind-generated electricity, their clients now include most of New Zealand’s electricity generators, regional councils and environmental consulting companies. They have since been awarded two further grants for research, science and technology projects, worth more than $1 million.

Professor Marston Conder, President of the Royal Society’s Academy Council, said this “highlighted the fact that New Zealand has some outstanding researchers whose work has amazing impact, even when that is not seen at the time the work begins.”

New Zealand, a relatively young country, is known for it’s inventive ‘can-do’ attitude and adventurous spirit. And its popularity with international students has increased over the past six years.

The University of Canterbury offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Arts, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Forestry, Law, Music and Science. They also have an excellent English language and Foundation program.

To find out more about courses to suit you at the University of Canterbury, contact a student counsellor today.

Canada: TRU hosts climate change forum

Thompson Rivers University is hosting the British Columbia Sustainable Campuses Conference this month. Addressing the need for all higher education institutions in the region to be carbon-neutral by 2010, the conference will bring together 140 young people from across the province.
By sharing their knowledge, experience and ideas on climate change, the conference organisers hope that they can encourage education bodies to go beyond legislative requirements, and actually do more to solve the climate crisis than they do to cause it.

“Education institutions have unique tools that allow them to support and enhance climate change planning,” says Maggie Baynham, the regional co-ordinator for the Sierra Youth Coalition. “With the capacity for research, education, as well as purchasing power, land use and modelling best practices, universities and colleges can have a huge influence on the world around them. Most importantly, the students who will attend this conference have the passion and energy to create change.”

Canada is a country known for its spectacular natural beauty, and Thompson Rivers University location on the west coast allows international students access to a wide range of outdoor activities. Almost 1000 international students from 65 countries form part of the TRU community – about 10% of the total student population. TRU offers flexible entry to academic programs, and although IELTS and TOEFL scores are an advantage they are not required.

To find out more about the wide range of degrees, diplomas, certificates and English language courses available at Thompson Rivers University, contact one of our student counsellors.

StudentPulse survey

The results are now in on the StudentPulse 2007 survey of international students – thanks to everyone who participated in this interesting research. Over the next few months we’ll give you some insights into how you and other students are making decisions on where, and what, to study.

Did you know...

You rated safety as the key decision factor for your choice of study destination.

96% of students surveyed rated the UK, Australia and Canada as good or very good countries for personal safety. The US ranked only 9th out of 18 countries on safety.

Most students select a university before choosing a country!

65% of you said you considered the quality and reputation of a particular institution before thinking about the location.

You worry about the cost of education

86% of you worry about the cost of tuition fees, and 80% are concerned about the cost of living in another country.

Does this reflect how you are thinking about your education? Let us know… and we’ll discuss some more interesting findings in next months Student Adventures.

Student Stories - Feb 08

As a first child, I am eager to be the best of my friends, not just in the family. I have a sister and a brother who need to be brave, since our father left us two years ago. And I think, I should replace his position when it comes to education. I worry about my sister a lot.
I come from an ordinary family who didn’t care too much about education. But I have a very different thought. For me education helps me to achieve my dream, to be a lecturer. I love to teach people around me since a child. Great feeling comes when someone I taught succeed. Studying overseas increases my ability in language, knowledge, and relationships.

I’m planning to use my knowledge to help others. Social work is very important to my life. I live in a traditional community with traditional perspectives. If I can go further, I will continue my education to be a doctor. I want to teach people that sometimes money isn’t everything. We have to look around, especially to poor people and our environment situation. It is very rare to find this consciousness today, and as environmental concerned youth I feel it is my duty to prevent bad things from happening to this earth.

Belinda Heimbach

I'm grateful to tell you about my story. I'm Delvalina, I live in Indonesia

My biggest dream is to study abroad. I got this dream when I was 14 years old and now I am 17. I really wanna study abroad because I think that education abroad is better than Indonesian education, and besides that I also wanna get a new experience in another country like Australia, Canada or the UK.

About this dream I always pray and study hard to reach my dreams and also join the Student Adventures.

My Goals

• to change education quality of my country, Indonesia and absolutely my village Ternate which is  the victim of  tragedy in Moluccas.
• to make my parent be glad because study overseas is their hope to me

My Ambitions

• I would like to become  a doctor, or work in government
  

Where I would study

• Australia – because it has high quality study and is nearer to my country

Thank you and God bless.

Delvalina, Indonesia

The world of study is art in our life society. Without study we are nothing, without study we are just like animals. Study makes us a good man, good father, good brother, good citizen. Without study we can’t get our aims.

In our society a poor student struggles for his study. His father, who is poor and a farmer, wants to makes his son a good educated persons but he can’t financially support this, which is bad. People ask him, why you want him to study, what will he do with study. He will be a farmer, replies the father. Then why are you doing that?

The father replies that education is the art of goodness - without education we cant be good citizens. Education makes us everything. Because we can learn about our forefathers and other countries and their cultures. Knowledge is wisdom and hopefully we can learn from past history. 

I have the ambition of my father, now I am trying to get the study scholarship in a foreign country. Hopefully my story will be published.

Saeedahmed Sheikh