Pushkar Madan: What to expect while you move to study in Australia

A thought of studying in an international university involves a mixture of knowledge and experiences incorporated from various sources. It is not only a diligent task but an approach that will shape your future ahead. I went through a similar experience went through when I chose Australia destination country to study. There could be wide fields of reasoning saying, why Australia, but my main focus was on financial feasibility and post-study opportunities. To start with, first select your course then search for the universities offering that course and their ratings. Compare your options in terms of financial requirements, location, eligibility criteria or any other prerequisites and post-study options in the country you finalized. For example, if you plan to study in the United Kingdom, then look for a post-study work visa, for Germany, look for language requirements and bachelor’s degree percentage. Australia offers a large number of courses in world-class universities which makes it an attractive destination to pursue higher studies and it is also easy to choose a college as per one’s requirements.

The first and foremost requirement of an application form is a good English language score. I worked hard for my IELTS exam with the help of material available online. I did not take any coaching or mug up any books. Instead, I found videos and online practice tests self-sufficient. The next thing to concentrate on is the document requirements. Prepare all your documents in advance including your transcripts, financial documents, and so on as you may be asked for them anytime. Always be ready for an online Skype interview with the university in which you will be asked about your statement of purpose (SOP). Yes, indeed, SOP is an important document and it fastens the application process. Make sure you produce enough information to support your criteria for selection. My SOP at RMIT was rejected twice as it did not cover the financial part and future plans so make sure you add them. Once you receive an offer letter, remember to pay the required fees to get a confirmation of enrollment (COE) as soon as possible. The next step is a student visa lodgment. This is the most important step as you have to submit the same document you submitted with your application form. To avoid VISA rejection, make sure you give a brief history of your financial summary, any ambiguity will be judged and thus, must be accompanied by legal proof, for example, an affidavit. The whole process of applying for an English test for your visa application takes 6-8 months, so plan accordingly. If you are planning to start your studies in July 2019 session, start preparing in November or December 2018.

After you get your student visa, it is time to book your ticket and plan the goods and materials you should carry along. Beware, Australia has stringent regulations on incoming goods from another country, so check on Immigration and Border Protection website for goods you are not allowed to bring to Australia. Always attend the orientation at a university as you get a brief summary of various important things you need to be acquainted with about the university and the course you are going to pursue. There are no special items you require for your first class as only a copy, pen and in some cases, your laptops will work.

One major issue usually faced by all students is accommodation. You may prefer to stay on campus if your pocket allows, however, there are many good options available off campus that are cost-effective and easily available. You can get information about off-campus accommodation from websites like gumtree, flatmates, real estate, or the fairy floss page on Facebook. You can book your place from India or temporary accommodation can be availed in some student hostels offering shared rooms for as low as $25/day.

The best way to commute inside city centers is trams. I live in Melbourne and I enjoy free tram rides in the city. I also use buses and metro trains to commute far away from the city. The cost of public transport in Melbourne is $8.20/ day and it could be saved by making a weekly or monthly travel pass. I am a vegetarian and it can be difficult to locate a vegetarian restaurant initially, but there are plenty of them in the city and suburbs as well. Different cuisines are available at pocket-friendly prices. There are many places to visit in Australia, so it is sure that you will enjoy the events and trips around you.

A student can work to earn their living expenses and it is ideal to work while you study as it offers you a lot of experience professionally. However, you should make sure that work is only part-time and should not affect your studies. You can get part-time or casual jobs in many fields including sales, customer service, cleaning, labor, kitchen hand, etc. There are plenty of jobs available but it could not be made sure that you will get a job of your choice initially. So I suggest you opt for an opportunity that provides exposure in your field, work hard on it, explore the market and keep aiming for your dream job. There is no need to carry cash at all times as Australia is a cashless economy, however, I would recommend keeping $50 with yourself at all times. Deposit the entire remaining amount into your bank which should be again your first priority after you enter Australia. Try to keep a reserve fund of $500 in your account which can cover all major emergencies including health and safety issues.

Overall, I am enjoying my education in Australia and I would recommend it as per the view of an Indian student. There could be plenty of reasons why I recommend so, but the main reasons are friendliness among Australians with Indians, basic support of the university staff, good job facility, ease of post-study work options in a temporary graduate visa, and a healthy environment.

I wish you all the best for your future goals and shining dreams.