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The Wanderlust List – Inspiring Study Locations
26 Jun 2017
If you’ve got the travel bug but would also like to pursue higher education, then studying abroad could be just the thing for you. Why restrict yourself to the mundane surroundings of your home town when you could branch out and see another city, another country – hell, a whole other continent!
With the quality of higher education improving consistently round the world, there is now so much potential to discover those far-flung corners of the globe you’ve dreamt about seeing, while also gaining an accredited and internationally-recognised qualification at the same time.
Studying abroad is no longer restricted to the usual suspects of the US and UK, now students are free to get lost in some of the most inspiring destinations on the planet.
Whether you’re roaming the mountainside, scuba diving on secluded beaches, taking in the history in a national museum, or soaking up the culture at an arts festival – the exposure to a new and exciting landscape and culture can be a truly inspiring thing that boosts your study experience beyond expectations.
Employers are increasingly looking favourably on students who show the gumption and independence to strike out on their own, and often favour those over graduates who have not had such well-rounded life experience. Gaining confidence, improving your international network, and developing your language skills are valuable by-products of time spent overseas.
In the international workplace, these soft skills are incredibly advantageous.
“Anyone who is able to put on their CV that they studied abroad is at a great advantage in terms of impressing future employers,” says Dee Roach, group manager at Navitas Education Group. “It will prove to your potential employer that you have the ability to stand on your own two feet, that you can fit in when placed in different environments, and that you are resourceful and have initiative.”
On top of the important practical advantage of studying overseas, choosing a beautiful destination with an exciting new culture can expand your horizons and teach you more about yourself in one semester than a whole three-year course back home.
Evan Ryan, who spent a year in London, found it changed her entire perspective of the world.
“I remember coming back and feeling like I had opened my world and it was never going to close again. My house was the same, my friends were the same but everything was different. I felt like the doors had opened, remained open and everything was possible in a way that it wasn’t before.”
Here are 4 inspiring global destinations to kick-start your overseas adventure…
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Image courtesy of the Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED)
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to 1.5 million people – about one third of New Zealand’s total population. It’s a city rich in diverse cultures, friendly people and huge range of things to see and do.
International students get all the benefits of a world-class education system and the ultimate study lifestyle. It is the country’s biggest hub for international students, with over 80,000 studying in the region every year. Auckland’s qualifications are recognised around the world and can open excellent and diverse career opportunities in virtually every field.
Auckland has an abundance of exciting activities in and around the city to keep even the most experienced thrill-seeker amused. Kayak to a volcano, explore the emerald islands of the Hauraki Gulf, surf the waves at Piha beach, wander through row upon row of grape-vines, and return to the city to enjoy the funky restaurants and evening buzz by night.
Studying in Auckland means enjoying the best of both worlds – a modern, bustling city set in a stunning natural playground. It is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world and it is this cosmopolitan character that gives Auckland such an exciting blend of cuisine, art, music, cultural experience, sport and events for students to enjoy all year round.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA
Students flock to this seaside metropolis each and every year, drawn by its breath-taking natural beauty and the opportunity to to immerse themselves in the chilled out Aussie lifestyle. Its position in the same time zone as 60 percent of the planet means Perth is the very first city you hit as you fly to the land down under.
Music lovers are in for a treat, with plenty of live music on offer especially in cultural hotspots like Northbridge and Fremantle – an area that hosts a train line with a view like no other, complemented by the nation’s fastest trains. The city’s brand-new Elizabeth Quay offers a host of unmissable events throughout the year, with the brand new Perth Stadium also set to open by the end of the year.
On top of these attributes, the education in Perth is internationally recognised for excellence. Home to six highly-ranked universities, all located within 30-minutes of the city centre, there is something to suit all students regardless of interest or vocation. It’s a city that boasts outstanding infrastructure and unparalleled links to the CBD, promoting the utmost convenience for the international student market.
You’ll be pleased to know that as the most affordable city in Australia – beating popular student hubs like Sydney, Melbourne and also Adelaide – on top of its status as the seventh most liveable city in the world, Perth offers a truly unforgettable study experience that doesn’t break the bank.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
The vibrant, buzzing city of Kuala Lumpur is the setting for the cutting-edge Monash campus.
Students here rave about the exciting social life and opportunities to explore this pulsing heart of Southeast Asia.
Students at Monash Malaysia enjoy world-class facilities and a leading education, while also being able to experience the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the nation’s capital city, where beautiful old colonial buildings rest next to futuristic skyscrapers, like the iconic Petronas twin towers.
This eclectic character is also echoed in the vast array of different cultures and races living side by side, each placing their own influence on the unique culture that makes up Malaysia.
With the choice of doing a full course or a semester or two under Monash’s study abroad and exchange options, students can decide how long they want to immerse themselves in this cultural melting pot, soaking up traditions and customs from Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnicities.
With cost of living in the country so low, students can afford to enjoy a thriving social life while also pouncing on the opportunity to visit the pristine beaches and lush jungles on trips out of the city.
With a third of Monash students hailing from overseas, the university’s international community will soon have you feeling like you’re in your home away from home.
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
Adelaide is South Australia’s vibrant capital and its economic, educational and cultural hub, making it a popular choice for students looking to expand their horizons. Study Adelaide is perfectly positioned to guide you in making your overseas study transition.
As a student, you become part of a city where learning is a focus and students are welcomed and respected. With six universities – four with campuses in the city centre – there’s an abundance of choice with regard to subjects, range of courses and degrees.
In discovering the city, you’ll find it’s littered with beautiful parks and green spaces, making cycle routes the ideal way to explore. Known for its thriving café and restaurant culture, you can bike from one to the other while enjoying the local culinary treats.
Sandwiched between the beach and hills, it’s difficult to know where to start with the extensive natural beauty surrounding the city.
Just out of town, students can explore the world-famous Barossa Valley, one of the world’s great wine regions, renowned for its food and wine, cultural experiences and easy-going way of life. With more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors, there’s plenty to keep you busy on your day out.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
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