Australia
Australia is a land of contrasts: sweeping golden beaches, coral reefs rich with marine life, tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, vast grazing lands and sparse deserts.
One of the oldest continents, Australia is the only country to occupy an entire continent.
Surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Australia has many animals and plants, which are unique on the planet. The surface geology is typically old and flat with a major mountain range stretching down the eastern coast and another mountain range in the north west of the continent.
Victoria
About 36 per cent of Victoria is forest. The Murray is the State’s longest river and there are a number of large inland lakes. Victoria’s vast coastline extends over 1600 kilometres, bordering the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait and separating the Australian mainland from Tasmania.
Victoria is the most densely populated of Australia’s 8 States and Territories. Some 26 per cent of all Australians live in Victoria and, of those, most reside in Melbourne, the nation’s second largest city and capital of this state.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of the State of Victoria. It is situated on the Yarra River and around Port Phillip Bay with its beautiful beaches and water sports facilities. It is a beautiful spacious city with all the parks, gardens, sporting venues and scenic places that Australian space and natural resources allow.
Melbourne is a world-renowned cultural, artistic, financial and communications centre served by an international airport, a cargo and passenger seaport, and rail links to neighbouring States.
Melbourne, once voted the world’s ‘most liveable city’, enjoys clean fresh air and beautiful parks and gardens.
Melbourne is considered to be the shopping capital of Australia and offers some of Australia’s biggest shopping complexes as well as sophisticated, exclusive boutiques and a host of lively and popular markets.
One quarter of Melbourne’s population was born overseas making it one of the world’s most multicultural cities. There are now people from 140 nations living harmoniously together. This broad ethnic mix has brought many benefits to the city including a wide range of cuisines and over 2,300 elegant restaurants, bistros and cafes. Melbourne has an excellent public transport system with trams, trains and buses providing an extensive network throughout the city and suburbs.
The population is approximately 4 million. Melbourne is a sprawling city with suburbs extending up to 50km from the centre of the city.
The city centre is on the banks of the Yarra River, 5km from Port Phillip Bay.
The city centre features world class.
Department stores
Historical architecture
Theatres, galleries and arts centres
Melbourne is only a short distance from many beautiful beaches as well as the Victorian mountain regions, where skiing is popular during winter.
The city and surrounding suburbs are well serviced by a public transport network of buses, trains and trams.
A multicultural city enriched by 170 ethnic groups. Sometimes called the culinary capital of Australia, Melbourne has a vast array of restaurants, offering a variety of international cuisine.
Bustling Chinatown in the heart of the city, serves up the finest of Asian cuisine and culture. Several other Melbourne streets are dedicated to Vietnamese, Japanese, Italian and Greek food – cuisine to suit every palate and many to suit a student’s budget.
The Study Melbourne web site is a useful source of information, established by the Victorian government with information specifically on Melbourne and regional cities in Victoria. The web site address is http://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/
Visitors and new residents can learn more about the Australian values statement and our history, culture and society from the Life in Australia book. This book has been translated into community languages commonly spoken by Australian migrants.https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/australian-values
A Good Choice for Study
Furthering your Education in Victoria is a smart move after school. Set fresh goals surrounded by the best support, skills and knowledge. You’ll find new strengths while you build on what you’re already good at, working your way towards a successful career and future.
If you love learning, you’ll want to live in a city that’s a centre for research, innovation and creativity. Melbourne is home to many quality universities, with three in the top ten universities in Australia. Our two top universities are ranked in the top 50 world-wide for their research as well as their courses. Melbourne is one of the top cities for learning in the world.
Become job-ready
These courses are directly related to getting a job and assess you by how well you do the tasks needed for that job rather than by exams
You can study these courses
At a government owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institute
at a University
Through a Registered Training Organisation.
Study Methods
Much emphasis is placed upon private (individual) study along the lines of assignments, on research and learning to analyse data and present arguments about subject matter, and on being willing to defend one’s argument. All these involve heavy use of libraries, intensive note taking in lectures, and active participation in the learning process (as opposed to passive listening and rote learning).
To be a successful student, you will need to adapt to these methods of learning, but most education institutions in Australia are very willing to help as they offer counselling services and assistance to develop effective study skills. Many lecturers in Australia have vast experience teaching overseas students, they understand the difficulties in getting used to different study methods and they will be patient in helping you to develop new skills
Climate
Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with four distinct seasons in the year – spring, summer, winter and autumn. Below is a guide to the average daily temperatures.
Spring September – November 12-22 degrees
Summer December to February 28-32 degrees
Winter June to August 10 – 15 degrees
Melbourne does not have a specific wet season – it can rain at any time of the year.
Sports and other outdoor activities are possible at all times of the year.
Festivals
International Comedy Festival
International Festival of the Arts
Chinese New Year Parade
Moomba Festival.
International sporting events:
Spring Racing Carnival (Melbourne Cup)
Australian Open (Grand Slam tennis)
Grand Prix Motor Racing
World Series and Test cricket
Art
Melbourne contemporary arts reflect the world’s oldest continuous cultural traditions and also a diverse, multicultural society. Our visual and performing arts communities receive international acclaim for their vibrancy, originality and cutting-edge work in the arts, literature, stage and cinema, dance, classical music and contemporary music.
The National Museum of Australia opened as part of Australia’s Centenary of Federation celebrations in 2001. It is co-located with the Australian College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies in the nation’s capital city of Canberra and adds to more than 1000 museums throughout Australia
Multiculturalism
More than 100 ethnic groups are represented in Australia, making Australia one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Australia’s dynamic multiculturalism can be attributed to its unique combination of Indigenous cultures, early European settlement and immigration from all parts of the world.
Australians value the wealth of cultural diversity and social sophistication that international students bring to our campuses and our communities. We take great care in looking after international students and helping them to adjust to the Australian way of life. International students also gain great benefits from their education in Australia and make lifelong friendships.
Language
Although English is the official language, a host of other languages are spoken in Melbourne. As one of the most culturally diverse cities many Melbournians are naturally fluent in other languages.
In Melbourne not only is there the opportunity to improve your English through specialist study in an English-speaking environment but sectors of education and training provide tuition in many other languages as well.
English as it is spoken in Australia is very easily understood by nearly all people from other English-speaking nations. While there are some minor differences in accent between the cities and country areas the difference is much less than you will find in America, Britain and Canada where French is also spoken. As you improve your English in Australia you will learn some of our slang, and have much fun explaining the meanings to your friends and relatives at home.
Religion
Australia is predominantly a Christian country however; all religions are represented in our multicultural society. Australians respect the freedom of people to practice their choice of religion. Churches, mosques, temples and synagogues are located in most major cities. Some universities have their own spiritual groups on campus.
Clean, safe, cosmopolitan
Students from all over the world come to Melbourne to take advantage of our world-class education and enjoy our friendly hospitality and cultural diversity. Melbourne has low crime rates and strict gun control laws providing a safe environment in which to learn and travel. With one of the highest standards of living in the world, Melbourne offers modern transport systems, cosmopolitan shopping complexes and excellent health services.
Food
Melbourne has a fantastic variety of food. Our top quality meat, fish, fruits and vegetables are exported to markets all around the globe. There is a large range of fruit and vegetables available at produce markets. You should have no difficulty in finding the foods that you are used to at home.
You can sample almost every type of cuisine available throughout the world in our many restaurants. There are elegant restaurants or pubs. Ethnic restaurants offer cuisines from all around the world. Good food at reasonable prices can be found at bistros or cafes. And for those who like takeaway, most of the major global fast food chains are well represented.
Transport
With one of the highest standards of living in the world, Melbourne offers modern transport systems. Melbourne has an extensive public transport system that includes trains, buses, tramways, ferries, two major national airlines and a number of regional airlines. Metropolitan areas are divided into zones and your ticket type and cost depends on which zone you are going to travel in and for how long. Tickets can be bought at train stations, on buses and trams and at newsagencies.
Metered taxicabs operate in all major cities and towns. You will find taxi ranks at transport terminals, main hotels or shopping centres or you can hail taxis in the street. A light and sign on the roof indicates if a cab is vacant. There is a minimum charge on hiring and then a charge per kilometre travelled. Taxi drivers do not have to be tipped.
Entertainment
Campuses offer spacious surroundings suitable for social, sporting and other outdoor activities. They are also centrally located for students to experience the sophistication of our cities and excitement of our entertainment facilities. There are plenty of opportunities for international students to have an enjoyable time with friends.