Even though many students go there for the high quality education, the academic life is only part of what you will experience during your time in Australia. Student life in Australia is very unique. The culture, landscape, and city life will vary depending on which university you go to, and which state you end up residing in, but in this guide we hope to give you a small glimpse into student life in Australia.
First, Some Advice
Before we get started, a piece of advice for you, no matter where you study. Even if you are studying in your home country, make sure that you take the time to enjoy all of the opportunities that are available for you to enjoy. This is especially true if you are studying abroad; you are going to another country and another culture. Make sure that you do everything that you can while earning your degree. Studying is incredibly important, but the experience is what will make you remember the experience for the rest of your life.
Even if you aren’t sure what to do while you’re there, talk to other students and locals that you may meet. You may find little hidden gems that you would never have known about without asking. Take some time to check out the country you are living in. Studying abroad has the potential to be one of the most memorable things that you will ever do in your entire life; but it’s up to you to make it that way.
Student Organizations and Other University Activities
Every Australian university has a variety of student clubs and organizations on campus. The focus of these groups can vary depending on the university and region you are in, but if you enjoy a particular activity or sport, there may be a club for you. That way, you get to do something you enjoy or try something new, and you get to meet new people with the same interests in the process.
Here are some of the types of clubs that you may encounter at your university.
- Study groups
- Outdoor activities (surfing, rowing, cycling, hiking)
- Sports of various types (amateur to competitive levels)
- Book or movie clubs
- Religious organizations
- Gaming (board, video, card)
- Sexuality (LGBT awareness, etc)
- Groups associated with your field of study
- Student Government
- Political Party Affiliation
- International Students Organization
- And More
There also may be various events on your university campus as well. There may be notable speakers, workshops that interest you, fun activities, sports tournaments, concerts, sports events, bus trips to certain places, and a variety of other activities that you may enjoy. Make sure to keep an eye on any calendars or bulletin boards in order to get more information about the potential events that are going on around campus.
Your university’s website will have all of the information that you need regarding organizations, activities, and/or events that happen on campus. Getting involved with these sorts of things will ensure that you are rarely bored and that you get to meet a lot of people in the process!
Weekend Fun
It’s the weekend, so what is there to do? Many of Australia’s universities are located in urban or suburban areas where there are a lot of recreational activities to get involved in. Many university towns have an active nightlife, with bars and clubs that you can enjoy with some of your fellow students and the friends you have made. There are also a lot of restaurants and other places that you can go and enjoy some fun time and eat some great food at the same time.
Sundays are quite interesting in Australia. Many students take Sundays to sit back and relax. Since many of Australia’s cities are not far from the coast, some students will take Sundays to relax at the beach. Sundays are also a good day for you to get yourself ready to go for the upcoming week. Sundays are also great for outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, biking, scuba diving, fishing, and even skiing in the more mountainous areas.
Overall, there are a lot of things for you to do, no matter what day of the week it is. There are also a number of festivals and sporting events that go on throughout the country. You can normally find some friends who are heading out to check out some of Australia’s favorite pastimes. We cover more of the things that you can do during your free time in our Free Time and Sports guide. In that guide, we explore more of the free time activities that you can enjoy during your time in Australia.
If you want more of a picture of what student life looks like in Australia, take a look at the Australian education resource at http://www.australia.edu/Student-Life/. They have dozens of articles available for you to look at and lots of information that you can explore. Student life is very exciting in Australia, as long as you make the most out of your experience. Check it out and see what student life in Australia may hold for you!
