The Wanderlust List – Inspiring Study Locations

30 Mar 2017

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

Welcome to the best years of your life. What could be better than expanding your mind studying what you love, whilst expanding your life experience in one of the world’s most inspiring destinations.

Considering leaving your home country to learn in a new place can be a daunting thought. But taking the time to find a place that offers a first-class education along with new cultural experiences, is definitely worth it.

When selecting somewhere to study abroad, think about what you want from the experience. For instance, if you enjoy nature and have an adventurous streak then New Zealand, Australia or South Africa should be your first picks.

Here are four inspiring global study locations to help you on your way…

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND

Image courtesy of the Wellington Regional Econnomic Development Agency (WREDA)

Called the “coolest little city in the world” by Vogue magazine, Wellington is fuelled with a creative energy that that overseas students love. The region is known as the high-tech capital of New Zealand, boasting world-leading gaming, interactive, software and IT companies like Xero, among many more.

With a film industry known for making Hollywood blockbusters like Lord of the Rings, Avatar and King Kong, the capital inspires all forms of creativity. Wellington offers prospective students a full range of education choices, including two world-ranked universities and two highly-regarded institutes of technology. Aside from providing a world-class education, many institutions offer specialist courses and work placement opportunities. The city also promotes a collaborative approach to education and business, ensuring that both groups work together to share resources and knowledge to become globally competitive.

Wellington is connected by great public transport and with a CBD that is only 2.5km across, many students choose to walk to their classes. In fact, Wellington is often considered one of the region’s most affordable cities. At the weekend, students tend to spend their time visiting museums, galleries and theatres, watching live music or experiencing the many food, music and art festivals.

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Image courtesy of Study Perth

Great weather, blue skies and sunny days are among the many reasons prospective students choose Perth as their study abroad destination. As Western Australia’s rapidly-growing capital, with a diverse population of nearly two million, students are never shy of something fun to do. The metropolis offers plenty of study possibilities, with each institution providing excellent choices to students all over the world. Here, you can choose from a variety of institutions that include English language colleges and tertiary education universities. These institutions are scattered across the Perth metropolitan area, with most campuses within 30-minutes’ drive of the city centre.

Although Perth may not be as popular as Melbourne or Sydney, it is fast-becoming the next study hub for prospective students, largely due to its irresistible affordability. The region has plenty to offer regardless of your interests; from King’s Park, the biggest city park in the world, where you can spend your evenings just relaxing and watching the sun set on the metropolis, to Fremantle, a busy port complete with street cafes, markets and a lively music scene that makes helps make Perth an irresistible study spot.

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

Image courtesy of Study Gold Coast

Students who are considering the Gold Coast as a potential study venture will not be disappointed. In fact, this breath-taking city has recently been named the best beachside student city in the world by QS World University Rankings. It is one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities, offering an excellent education on top of a relaxed, multicultural lifestyle. With more than 200 international and domestic education providers, including three well-respected universities – Bond, Griffith and Southern Cross – students are spoilt for choice.

Students who are keen to pursue vocational courses can apply to TAFE Queensland Gold Coast, one of Australia’s best vocational trainers where courses have been developed with the assistance of business. Besides providing a wide range of programmes, the Gold Coast is known for its awesome outdoor lifestyle. From beautiful coastlines that stretch miles to ample water sport activities, students who choose to study here are in for the time of their lives. But if you’re not much of a fan of the beaches, the region also hosts several festivals, cultural events, shows, attractions and sports tournaments throughout the year.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Image courtesy of the University of Cape Town

If you’re searching for a unique destination, look no further than Cape Town. Considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in South Africa, this place presents students with a variety of cultures that contribute to the city’s eclectic food, music and colourful festival scenes. But that’s not all that makes the Mother City a popular destination; the city is also home to pristine white beaches, developing vineyards and the spectacular Table Mountain. It’s the go-to place for anyone seeking a bit of adventure, as the location is known as a global hub for shark cage diving, zip-line adventures and kitesurfing activities.

Besides providing a more than memorable experience, the city also offers a first-class education. The capital is home to the University of Cape Town (UCT), the oldest university in South Africa with over 26,000 students. This leading research university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the following six departments: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science. UCT is committed to producing graduates who are not only educated but mindful of the responsibilities that come with being a respectful global citizen. The institution’s reputation for excellence is supported by distinctive research and top-notch faculty members.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International