Studying overseas can seem like a difficult decision and you might be wondering how you’ll cope with meeting new friends, living in a new country and perhaps speaking a new language. To help ease some of your worries, we’ve listed five common myths about studying in Australia.
1. It may be a lonely experience.
Most students dread the process if making friends in a new country. But you needn’t worry, in fact, institutions do all they can to make international students feel welcome and there are international student clubs and societies, ‘buddy’ programs between local and international students, and Orientation Week activities to help with your transition. You shouldn’t be afraid to start up or join a conversation with your classmates, even local students can feel nervous about starting a new course and some may have moved away from home to study just like you.
2. You can’t do well if you are not a native speaker.
International students often think that it is difficult to do well in a course if they are not a native speaker. There may be some challenges along the way, but Australian lecturers understand that many international students come from non-English-speaking backgrounds, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek assistance. There are also many academic services available to international students, from tutoring to workshops that teach academic referencing and study skills.
3. Studying abroad is too expensive
We understand there are sized costs associated with studying overseas but, there are Australian study experiences to suit all budgets ranging from short-term study tours to study abroad and exchange, you are likely to find an option to suit you. There are also scholarships available for students who would like to study in Australia that can provide assistance with tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses. Scholarships are offered by education institutions, both in Australia and your home country; private organisations, such as industry associations or large companies; and government departments. You can also undertake a student exchange program, which means that you continue to pay fees to your home institution while studying in Australia for one or two semesters.
4. You can’t work while you study
An amazing thing about studying in Australia is that your student visa enables you to work part time while you study, up to 40 hours per fortnight during semester wherein in most countries, international students are not permitted to work on a student visa. During semester breaks, students are able to work unlimited hours. If you are a research student like a masters degree by research or doctorate, you have unlimited work rights. Tertiary students often work at restaurants or retail stores, where work is generally easy to find. Before looking for work in Australia, you need to know about your rights and responsibilities as an employee.
5. Only some courses accept international student enrolments
A lot of students think that there are certain courses that accept international students and others that don’t, even though there are some exceptions to this rule, international students can apply for courses in any field of study in Australia, from accounting to veterinary science. Entry requirements are different at each institution and for every course, so it is best to check with each institution you are considering. Some courses are difficult to get into whether you are a local or international student, for example medicine and law, and in these competitive fields students often complete ‘pathways’ through related degrees (such as health sciences for medicine or humanities for law) to improve their chances.