Can anyone share their experiences of studying abroad at the university level?

Question

What is it like? is it expensive? how should I go about applying? do I have to be a superstar student to get accepted into one of these places? thanks!

Answer 1

Hi, I grew up in Hong Kong and came to Australia for my uni studies when I was 17. Now I end up settling in Australia as a permanent resident! I suppose I could share my views here.

First off, cost. It depends on which country, I know as a fact that Europe can be a bit expensive. Australia isn't too bad. I graduated at Monash University in Melbourne, a bachelor degree is about AU$14000 year (2 semesters) and most bach degrees are 3 years (double degrees, engineering or medicine degrees are longer) And Education and Arts are the cheapest in general. AU$14000 is pretty much the cheapest, needless to say, universities here charge foreign students a lot more than local students.

Plus about AU$10000+ for living expenses per year.

There're a lot of good unis in Australia. I'm more familiar with Melbourne, University of Melbourne and Monash Uni are the most famous and the best. RMIT ( I completed my interpreting diploma there) LaTrobe,Deakin and Swinbourne are good too. Uni of Melb is the most expensive, and you do need better grades to get in. But other unis have their specialised domains where you need very good grades to get in too, so it depends on what you want to study.

Do some research on their websites and they usually have agencies in the US where you can get more info. I know Monash has a lot of exchange programs, say you're now studying at an American uni, you can join the exchange program and finish your degree in Australia.

Studying overseas is great, you get to meet a lot people, see new things, it's just a great experience. Well, I end up settling in Australia, enough said :)