Questions on Australia

[ivank]

Hey I was wondering if anyone here from/in Australia can help me. I am about to enter college(August 2009), I plan to stay for one year, then transfer to UNSW, and stay for my masters there.

I was wondering if anyone from there could;
-Give me tips on life there
-Idea of cost of living
-Idea of the food
-Any other useful stuff

Thank you,
Ivan "ivank" Klein-Vidal

[A Very Super Market]

Australia is a land where kangaroos outnumber man, and everybody live in the outback. I would recommend that you be physically fit, in order to beat off any crocs that attempt to visit your various outposts, or for recreational crocodile wrestling. Whenever you eat something in Australia, the New Zealandese will fight over why they did not get a piece of it, so your best bet is to wrestle their sheep and destroy their mental well-being. When in public, it is common courtesy to wildly shout any odd phrase that comes to mind at random intervals, which is commonly understood to be a custom learned from many generations of being able to shout at the top of your lungs and not have anyone hear.

[TarJak]

Oh and we never listen to Canucks. They tell whopping lies.

[Pioneer]

Suggestions: sunscreen, wide brim hat, leave your Yankees tshirts at home.

Traditionally, USAmericans not thought of favorably in Australia. The last thing we want to hear is how much better things are, when you're in our country.

The Eastern suburbs of Sydney have many students residing there, particularly in Randwick, or you could live on campus.

I did not study at UNSW but had a NYU girl in my dorm when I was in college. Things I recall she said - get a great telephone calling plan, bicycle, and bus pass.

August is the start of the cold time of year, I think Sept is the wettest down there. Similar to Feb on Long Island Sound. However, the ozone layer over the country is thinner. My wife (USAmerican) after only a few days in Queensland was sufferring from it. Stay covered and sunscreen.

Sydney is a major hub to anywhere in the country for exploring. Trains and planes are more expensive then the USA, most students will buy a car and then resell it before they leave.

Stay away from TarJak!

He'll have you drinking fantastic Brews that you crave but can't find!

[bookworm_020]

There is a pretty good bus route from the center of the city to the Uni, but it can be crowded during peak hour. You can get accommodation around the university, but it all depends on how much you want to spend! It can be expensive if you want a place to yourself as there is a very tight rental market in Sydney.

As for food, a great range of types for all different tastes and budgets, just remember that it may not taste the same as a dish from home due to different tastes and influences.

Contact the uni, as they will have some tips and give a hand to get you pointed in the right direction!

Best of luck!

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Pioneer

.

Traditionally, USAmericans not thought of favorably in Australia.

I was not aware of that. That's too bad.

[Jimbuna]

Never order lamb at a restaurant

The cons are pretty fond of their sheep

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by Pioneer

Traditionally, USAmericans not thought of favorably in Australia. The last thing we want to hear is how much better things are, when you're in our country.

I've been to Australia a couple times and I've never experienced that. As long as you stay away from the "ugly tourist American" stereotype, you should be fine.

I stayed at UNSW over the (southern) winter a couple years ago. You can get pretty much anywhere with a bus pass. The local area is mostly Asian. The beaches are a short bus ride away - if you've got time you can walk, but it's a bit of a hike. I was able to walk downtown once, but it's over an hour's walk.

Lots of pubs in Sydney have steaks for $6. It's probably the best deal on food that I've ever come across.

Originally Posted by Max2147

I've been to Australia a couple times and I've never experienced that. As long as you stay away from the "ugly tourist American" stereotype, you should be fine.

I stayed at UNSW over the (southern) winter a couple years ago. You can get pretty much anywhere with a bus pass. The local area is mostly Asian. The beaches are a short bus ride away - if you've got time you can walk, but it's a bit of a hike. I was able to walk downtown once, but it's over an hour's walk.

Lots of pubs in Sydney have steaks for $6. It's probably the best deal on food that I've ever come across.

Yeah , it's the "Ugly American" tourist type that aren't liked here , but then again where are they liked? , you might get some anti U.S type stuff from some students , but that's the usual thing with Uni student and causes - eventually they grow up and become normal humans again

I haven't been to Sydney for a few years but you can find places that have special nights for backpackers ,(you can usually find a different one every night ) , might be an idea to join one of the backpacker organizations like YHA or the equivalent in the U.S - most of them are connected and you can get discounts in stores and stuff with your membership card.