Whenever international students consider coming to Australia, Sydney with its glittering lights or Melbourne with its fashionable laneways are always the first things that come to mind. However, upon digging a bit deeper, one will discover a secretive treasure, which can provide better balance between the world-class level of education and an affordable high-quality lifestyle: Adelaide.
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is what is referred to as the 20-minute city, and this city has gained the world recognition as one of the leading study destinations. The students, who opt to pursue their degrees, yet do not feel the immense pressure and expensive living costs of the bigger metropolises, will find much to be offered to them in Adelaide.
A Hub of Academic Excellence
The city of Adelaide boasts of three large state universities, all of which belong to the reputable Australian education system and rank high when compared with the rest of the world.
The University of Adelaide: this university is a part of the so-called Group of Eight (an analog of the Ivy League in Australia), which is always ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. It is known to have research-based programs especially on medicine, engineering and wine science.
University of South Australia (UniSA): UniSA is a leader with regard to offering practical, industry-linked education. It is closely associated with the business and technology sectors hence making sure that students graduate with the skills that employers really require.
Flinders University: Flinders is a university that is situated a bit outside the center of the city and is distinguished by the level of innovation and a state-of-the-art Tonsley Innovation District. It is one of the best options to students who want to work in the nursing field, social work, and creative arts.
Outside these universities, there are a plethora of TAFE (Technical and Further Education) colleges and private institutions in Adelaide, which provide institutions of specialized vocational training in hospitality, cookery and business.
The Financial Strength: Affordability.
The cost of living has been one of the greatest challenges facing international students. It is in this that Adelaide comes out strongly. Rent, food and transport in Adelaide are much cheaper than in Sydney or Melbourne (in many cases they could be as much as 14 percent cheaper).
Adelaide has a variety of student accommodation. The city also has purpose-built student apartments that are modern, and are located in the core of the city, or opt to stay in a shared house in the outskirts. Due to the good lay out of the city, even at a distance of 10 or 15 kilometers, you usually get to your campus within a maximum of 30 minutes.
Another place where the students spend less is on public transportation. Concessions on transport are given to international students in South Australia like local students. This translates to 50 percent off any bus, train, and tramway. In the city centre, the trams are completely free and one can easily transfer between libraries, cafes and the shops.
The Benefit of “Regional” Migration.
One of the most significant forces that attract students to Adelaide is the fact that Adelaide is a so-called Regional city according to the migration purpose. This is not to say that it is a tiny country town, but rather it is an advanced city with a population of more than 1.3 million. Nonetheless, there are incentives offered by the Australian government to learners in other areas other than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
On completion of your degree in Adelaide, you could qualify to have one more year of your Post-Study Work Visa (Subclass 485). This will buy you additional time to accrue professional experience within the Australian labor market and can earn you additional points to an application of Permanent Residency in case you have chosen to make Australia your permanent residence.
Lifestyle and Culture
Adelaide is the so-called Festival City. The city is vibrant in terms of events that take place throughout the year such as the Adelaide Fringe (the second-largest arts festival in the world), the Adelaide Festival, and the Tour Down Under cycling race.
Adelaide is the right place to go where people enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. On the west side, there are beautiful white sand beaches such as Glenelg and Henley beach which are only a short tram or bus ride away. On the east, there is the Adelaide Hills, with the hiking trails, wildlife parks and some of the best cool-climate wineries in the world.
The city is secure, hygienic and very green, having a circle of parklands, which surrounds the CBD. This is why it is an ideal destination among the students who like combining study and relaxation.
Working While You Study
Although your main concern will be with education, most students prefer to take part-time jobs. With an emerging hospitality, retail, and healthcare industry, Adelaide offers sufficient areas where the students can receive additional income. Minimal wage in Australia is very high and therefore one can contribute in his daily spending with just a few shifts a week.
In addition, there is a colossal influx of the defense and space and renewable energy sectors in Adelaide. In the case of students of the STEM fields, it implies that internships and graduate positions are coming more and more to South Australia.
Finding Your Way Forward
Major selection and university selection is a life changing process. It is not a simple matter of choosing the topic, you need to take care of the visa regulations, know what scholarships are available and make sure your course admission path is the one that will help you achieve your future career objectives. Due to the frequent changes in policies within the Australian migration system, the availability of the proper information is crucial.You can seek professional assistance in case you are overwhelmed by the choices or the paperwork. Speaking with an expert is a great idea to make sure you make the best decision in your future and your application will be not rushed. The advice of an experienced education consultant based in Adelaide will help you get the proper clarity and encouragement to start on your way and do it with the confidence of knowing that you are on the right track. They would refer you to the correct track, aid in enrollment and give you the idea of the steps to follow to be able to study in one of the friendliest cities in Australia.