By Erica Moore Australia Student Ambassador, 2011

Heaps of diverse ecosystems, animals, surfing and agriculture! Heaps of diverse ecosystems, animals, surfing and agriculture! Easy going lifestyle Easy going lifestyle English-speaking English-speaking Warmer climate Warmer climate Central location to Central location to travel to other travel to other countries such as countries such as Indonesia, New Zealand Indonesia, New Zealand

15% are international students 15% are international students Emphasis on independence and research Emphasis on independence and research Fewer class hours than in Canada. Each class is once a week with a lecture/seminar and a tutorial. Fewer class hours than in Canada. Each class is once a week with a lecture/seminar and a tutorial. Assessment through papers, mid- and end-of-semester exams. Less assessments than in Canada. Assessment through papers, mid- and end-of-semester exams. Less assessments than in Canada. No grade inflation – your final mark is your mark! No grade inflation – your final mark is your mark!

3 months before you go, apply for a student visa 3 months before you go, apply for a student visa Apply online at: Apply online at: - Australia Visas; service available Mon-Fri from 10am-5pm - Australia Visas; service available Mon-Fri from 10am-5pm YOU MUST HAVE A Confirmation of Enrolment from your Australian University (CoE) A Confirmation of Enrolment from your Australian University (CoE) Overseas Student Health Cover age (contact your destination university) Overseas Student Health Cover age (contact your destination university) Passport & Drivers license (Make copies to put in your suitcases, carry on and give one to your roommate if you have one!) Passport & Drivers license (Make copies to put in your suitcases, carry on and give one to your roommate if you have one!) Credit card Credit card

Exchange rate: CAN$1 buys AUD $0.96; Exchange rate: CAN$1 buys AUD $0.96; visit: MONEY: - Go to your home bank and order $ in Australian money; and $ in US money for airport misc., expenses traveling down and back. - Use your Visa for most items. Purchases with Visa are insured/covered and you don't have to worry about loosing cash. - Go online and find a bank close to your university and open an account with a debit card when you arrive. MONEY: - Go to your home bank and order $ in Australian money; and $ in US money for airport misc., expenses traveling down and back. - Use your Visa for most items. Purchases with Visa are insured/covered and you don't have to worry about loosing cash. - Go online and find a bank close to your university and open an account with a debit card when you arrive. WORKING: WORKING: - With a student visa you can work 20 hours/week - With a student visa you can work 20 hours/week and full time during breaks, once enrolled and full time during breaks, once enrolled

AUD $6,000 per semester (average) AUD $6,000 per semester (average) - food, travel, activities, etc. Home stay: AUD$110-$270 per week Home stay: AUD$110-$270 per week Hostels and guesthouses: AUD$80-$135 per week Hostels and guesthouses: AUD$80-$135 per week Shared rental accommodation: AUD$70- $250+ per week Shared rental accommodation: AUD$70- $250+ per week (RECOMMENDED! Youll meet heaps of people!) (RECOMMENDED! Youll meet heaps of people!)

Canadian student loans Canadian student loans Scholarships database: Scholarships database: APPLY!

Try to travel the country, its beautiful! Try to travel the country, its beautiful! Australia has all the modern transportation methods of a developed country Australia has all the modern transportation methods of a developed country You can buy rail passes that allow unlimited trips: You can buy rail passes that allow unlimited trips: Cheap plane tickets can be purchased from discount airlines (Jet Star, Virgin Blue, V Australia, etc.) Cheap plane tickets can be purchased from discount airlines (Jet Star, Virgin Blue, V Australia, etc.) Most major cities have local public transportation with buses or trams. Most major cities have local public transportation with buses or trams.

Melbourne Melbourne Byron Bay Byron Bay Gold Coast Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) (Surfers Paradise) Darwin Darwin The Outback The Outback Sydney Sydney Brisbane Brisbane Cairns Cairns (Great Barrier Reef)

Immediately, have your parents look for cheap return flights; most companies will notify you if a 'price drops' so sign up for their newsletters. Immediately, have your parents look for cheap return flights; most companies will notify you if a 'price drops' so sign up for their newsletters. Visit your family physician! Get caught up on travel shots; renew prescriptions for the length of time you will be away. Visit your family physician! Get caught up on travel shots; renew prescriptions for the length of time you will be away. Healthcare Coverage - check with your parents to see if their health plan covers you while at school/away. Healthcare Coverage - check with your parents to see if their health plan covers you while at school/away. Australia Universities requires that you purchase their health coverage ($220.00). Contact the university you are attending to do this before you go. Australia Universities requires that you purchase their health coverage ($220.00). Contact the university you are attending to do this before you go.

THINGS TO TAKE FROM HOME THAT ARE EXPENSIVE DOWN THERE! THINGS TO TAKE FROM HOME THAT ARE EXPENSIVE DOWN THERE! - check your airline for luggage allowance and do not over pack or they will charge you $ for each additional suit case! - - toiletries -good walking sneakers -strong back pack -YOUR LAPTOP! - international plug adapter - flip flops! - - Over the door hooks, gives you extra space to hang stuff (Dollar Store) CELL PHONES – BUY ONE THERE!! CELL PHONES – BUY ONE THERE!! Cheap to purchase and pay as you go ($30) RESIDENCE/CAMPUS: RESIDENCE/CAMPUS: - Ask about LINEN and COOKING PACKAGES - they supply sheets, pots and pans for a fee - Groceries: Woolys (Woolworths) and Coles are the cheapest – AND they deliver! - Buy a fan A.S.A.P. ! It can get pretty hot! (no air Uni)