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Anyone here at a university in Australia?
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Reply 40
2
Well... this has turned into quite the Aussie-bashfest. I am a New Zealander and I did a summer research studentship at ANU in Canberra. ANU is the highest ranked Uni in Australia and I had an excellent time there. I was staying in a hostel with people from all over the world, and never did I encounter any racism. Even on Australia Day (the day that a lot of redneck aussies come out to play), it was very relaxed. I was friends with people of many different nationalities and racism was never an issue, as far as I am aware.
Of course, there are racist people everywhere, and if you are part of a minority group you are bound to come across the odd evolutionary throwback who treats you like crap. But I would say that there are many, many sensible and accepting people who will make up for the horrid ones.
Perhaps you could think about participating in a summer program or just visit the university you are interested in to see what it is like. I would definitely recommend ANU, it was a really good Uni. And although Canberra takes a while to get used to, it's actually a nice city with a great atmosphere.
Of course, there are racist people everywhere, and if you are part of a minority group you are bound to come across the odd evolutionary throwback who treats you like crap. But I would say that there are many, many sensible and accepting people who will make up for the horrid ones.
Perhaps you could think about participating in a summer program or just visit the university you are interested in to see what it is like. I would definitely recommend ANU, it was a really good Uni. And although Canberra takes a while to get used to, it's actually a nice city with a great atmosphere.
Reply 41
TJNZ
Well... this has turned into quite the Aussie-bashfest. I am a New Zealander and I did a summer research studentship at ANU in Canberra. ANU is the highest ranked Uni in Australia and I had an excellent time there. I was staying in a hostel with people from all over the world, and never did I encounter any racism. Even on Australia Day (the day that a lot of redneck aussies come out to play), it was very relaxed. I was friends with people of many different nationalities and racism was never an issue, as far as I am aware.
Of course, there are racist people everywhere, and if you are part of a minority group you are bound to come across the odd evolutionary throwback who treats you like crap. But I would say that there are many, many sensible and accepting people who will make up for the horrid ones.
Perhaps you could think about participating in a summer program or just visit the university you are interested in to see what it is like. I would definitely recommend ANU, it was a really good Uni. And although Canberra takes a while to get used to, it's actually a nice city with a great atmosphere.
Of course, there are racist people everywhere, and if you are part of a minority group you are bound to come across the odd evolutionary throwback who treats you like crap. But I would say that there are many, many sensible and accepting people who will make up for the horrid ones.
Perhaps you could think about participating in a summer program or just visit the university you are interested in to see what it is like. I would definitely recommend ANU, it was a really good Uni. And although Canberra takes a while to get used to, it's actually a nice city with a great atmosphere.
You didn't experience racism because you are from New Zealand, DUH, its practically the same as Australian.
Reply 42
Be careful if you dont look like an Australian or even just have a non-Australian accent.
Four international students ( three females and a male ) studying accountancy at university in Sydney were held at knife's point by an Australian in their flat. They were forced to have sex with each other and then were raped repeatedly by the Australian . Finally two of them tried to escape by jumping off the flat's balcony and fell 3 floors.
One died. The other is in intensive care.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sex-before-fall/2008/10/27/1224955890913.html
A knife-wielding intruder is believed to have forced international students to perform sex acts before they fell naked onto concrete from their third-floor balcony in Waterloo.
Wei Liao, an 18-year-old Chinese student was killed, and her 19-year-old Korean boyfriend, Chris Han, suffered a fractured pelvis and legs after they fell 25 metres outside the McEvoy Street flat about 1.45pm on Sunday. "They were forced to do sexual acts and then forced to jump off the balcony. That's why they were naked.''
Police said the intruder followed the couple's female friend through the apartment block's security entrance about 12.35pm.
Once in the lift, the man held a knife to the woman's throat and accompanied her up to the flat.
Superintendent Freudenstein said it appeared the intruder had run off after the victims fell. Police have asked for people who may have seen the man in the area to contact them.
Four international students ( three females and a male ) studying accountancy at university in Sydney were held at knife's point by an Australian in their flat. They were forced to have sex with each other and then were raped repeatedly by the Australian . Finally two of them tried to escape by jumping off the flat's balcony and fell 3 floors.
One died. The other is in intensive care.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sex-before-fall/2008/10/27/1224955890913.html
A knife-wielding intruder is believed to have forced international students to perform sex acts before they fell naked onto concrete from their third-floor balcony in Waterloo.
Wei Liao, an 18-year-old Chinese student was killed, and her 19-year-old Korean boyfriend, Chris Han, suffered a fractured pelvis and legs after they fell 25 metres outside the McEvoy Street flat about 1.45pm on Sunday. "They were forced to do sexual acts and then forced to jump off the balcony. That's why they were naked.''
Police said the intruder followed the couple's female friend through the apartment block's security entrance about 12.35pm.
Once in the lift, the man held a knife to the woman's throat and accompanied her up to the flat.
Superintendent Freudenstein said it appeared the intruder had run off after the victims fell. Police have asked for people who may have seen the man in the area to contact them.
Reply 43
JDon
You didn't experience racism because you are from New Zealand, DUH, its practically the same as Australian.
Yeah, you know the way England and France are exactly the same... or America and Canada?
This thread has turned from a place for people studying in Australia to share experiences to an all out racist bashfest. I have no idea why so many people on these forums feel the need to stereotype all Australian people from a few examples but it sickens me. Basically, you're doing to the Australian people what YOU small minded people are accusing them of.
Please, don't feel the need to study in Australia, any of the people I'm talking to. They're sure as hell better off with out you.
Reply 44
I am thinking of applying to University of Melbourne and possibly The Australian National University. What are the communities like there in terms of international students and social events in general?
Can I still apply for 09 entry? (I've registered on each of the universities sites, just not sent off anything).
Can I still apply for 09 entry? (I've registered on each of the universities sites, just not sent off anything).
Reply 45
Mike_P
I am thinking of applying to University of Melbourne and possibly The Australian National University. What are the communities like there in terms of international students and social events in general?
Can I still apply for 09 entry? (I've registered on each of the universities sites, just not sent off anything).
Can I still apply for 09 entry? (I've registered on each of the universities sites, just not sent off anything).
Melbourne is far better than Canberra.
Canberra is where " fun goes to die".
It has the highest suicide rate of any city in Australia.
On week ends, the roads out of Canberra are blocked by hordes of desperate Canberrans fleeing the spiritual wilderness to head to Sydney or Melbourne.
Do yourself and favour and avoid Canberra.
Reply 46
Mike_P
I am thinking of applying to University of Melbourne and possibly The Australian National University. What are the communities like there in terms of international students and social events in general?
Can I still apply for 09 entry? (I've registered on each of the universities sites, just not sent off anything).
Can I still apply for 09 entry? (I've registered on each of the universities sites, just not sent off anything).
well i'm at uni melbourne. yes you can still apply for sem 1, 09 entry as an international student. there are a lot of international students here, mostly from asian countries. in terms of social events, in general you can tell from the previous posts in this thread that international and local students tend to stick together and form social groups amongst themselves. i think it is more to do with having different interests rather than racism/discrimination.
an example of having different interests is that local students usually go out and get drunk on a friday/saturday night. for them that is how they have fun with their friends. but for asian students, that is not really our idea of having a good night out with our friends. for us, it would going out for dinner or watching a movie together. of course there are some aussies who don't drink and some asian students who do drink. but this is just in general. i see that you're swedish, so i'm guessing you do drink? in that case, you might find it easy to get along with local students. (sorry for stereotyping if you don't drink)
what course are you planning to study?
Reply 47
Here is something i wrote earlier on in this thread:
mml
there is an oweek (fresher's week/orientation), but as someone else mentioned before, very few local students move away from home to attend uni so during oweek most of them just show up for a few hours as they've probably all visited the campus before on open day or on some other occasion.
also all their friends from high school are going to the same uni and often the same course with them, so i think they sort of don't feel the need to meet new people.
compare this to the international students who usually will show up for most of oweek because they don't know anyone at uni yet and they're hoping to meet people. so guess who the international students are going to make friends with? hmm, let's see... the other international students who come for oweek!!!
i guess all of this is part of the reason why international and local students find it hard to become friends.
also all their friends from high school are going to the same uni and often the same course with them, so i think they sort of don't feel the need to meet new people.
compare this to the international students who usually will show up for most of oweek because they don't know anyone at uni yet and they're hoping to meet people. so guess who the international students are going to make friends with? hmm, let's see... the other international students who come for oweek!!!
i guess all of this is part of the reason why international and local students find it hard to become friends.
Reply 48
flugestuge
Melbourne is far better than Canberra.
Canberra is where " fun goes to die".
It has the highest suicide rate of any city in Australia.
On week ends, the roads out of Canberra are blocked by hordes of desperate Canberrans fleeing the spiritual wilderness to head to Sydney or Melbourne.
Do yourself and favour and avoid Canberra.
Canberra is where " fun goes to die".
It has the highest suicide rate of any city in Australia.
On week ends, the roads out of Canberra are blocked by hordes of desperate Canberrans fleeing the spiritual wilderness to head to Sydney or Melbourne.
Do yourself and favour and avoid Canberra.
Ouch, alright. Thanks for your honest advice about Canberra. I'll apply to Melbourne only instead. What do you mean with spiritual wilderness however?
mml
well i'm at uni melbourne. yes you can still apply for sem 1, 09 entry as an international student. there are a lot of international students here, mostly from asian countries. in terms of social events, in general you can tell from the previous posts in this thread that international and local students tend to stick together and form social groups amongst themselves. i think it is more to do with having different interests rather than racism/discrimination.
an example of having different interests is that local students usually go out and get drunk on a friday/saturday night. for them that is how they have fun with their friends. but for asian students, that is not really our idea of having a good night out with our friends. for us, it would going out for dinner or watching a movie together. of course there are some aussies who don't drink and some asian students who do drink. but this is just in general. i see that you're swedish, so i'm guessing you do drink? in that case, you might find it easy to get along with local students. (sorry for stereotyping if you don't drink)
what course are you planning to study?
an example of having different interests is that local students usually go out and get drunk on a friday/saturday night. for them that is how they have fun with their friends. but for asian students, that is not really our idea of having a good night out with our friends. for us, it would going out for dinner or watching a movie together. of course there are some aussies who don't drink and some asian students who do drink. but this is just in general. i see that you're swedish, so i'm guessing you do drink? in that case, you might find it easy to get along with local students. (sorry for stereotyping if you don't drink)
what course are you planning to study?
Thanks a lot.
I see. As long there are lots of other internationals, I'll be happy to apply.
As you say, previous post has brought these things up I guess.
It's a pity that people don't seem to mix that much. That would be one of the funniest things with uni, to meet new people, from my view.
mml
"also all their friends from high school are going to the same uni and often the same course with them, so i think they sort of don't feel the need to meet new people."?
"also all their friends from high school are going to the same uni and often the same course with them, so i think they sort of don't feel the need to meet new people."?
This is probably the worst. Same people will hang out through high school and through uni. Why would they want to learn any new people?
mml
i see that you're swedish, so i'm guessing you do drink? in that case, you might find it easy to get along with local students. (sorry for stereotyping if you don't drink)
i see that you're swedish, so i'm guessing you do drink? in that case, you might find it easy to get along with local students. (sorry for stereotyping if you don't drink)
Many people drink here, probably as much as they seem to do in Australia.
I would however probably have more fun with the Asian internationals rather than the locals as in the case you describe it.
mml
what course are you planning to study?
what course are you planning to study?
I'm quite interested in the (see if I get this right) Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) or Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). I'm awating catalogues from both unis. Going to have a long look in Melbourne's.
You were studying there right now? What programme?
Reply 49
Mike_P
I'm quite interested in the (see if I get this right) Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) or Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). I'm awating catalogues from both unis. Going to have a long look in Melbourne's.
You were studying there right now? What programme?
I'm quite interested in the (see if I get this right) Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) or Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). I'm awating catalogues from both unis. Going to have a long look in Melbourne's.
You were studying there right now? What programme?
I'm studying engineering and I think it's at least 70% asians hahaha. By the way, I am an asian international.
Arts has mostly caucasians though, probably the complete opposite of engineering. I only have one asian friend who is studying arts at melbourne, most asians are studying commerce, engineering, or science.
Reply 50
mml
I'm studying engineering and I think it's at least 70% asians hahaha. By the way, I am an asian international.
Arts has mostly caucasians though, probably the complete opposite of engineering. I only have one asian friend who is studying arts at melbourne, most asians are studying commerce, engineering, or science.
Arts has mostly caucasians though, probably the complete opposite of engineering. I only have one asian friend who is studying arts at melbourne, most asians are studying commerce, engineering, or science.
Oh, nice
. Going well?Wow, 70%, that's amazing. I wonder why its so split between Asian and caucasians, though. I don't think it usually is like that, or is it?
Reply 51
Well, international students like to do courses like commerce and engineering. Naturally you'd have a higher percentage of Asian students if you do those courses.
Reply 52
by 70% asian, i mean both asian internationals and asian australians combined. so it includes local students of asian background.
Reply 53
14
Anybody been to UQ? How much would I miss out on socially if I lived in other university residences not the halls where fees are quite expensive and are extremly religious? I'm also considering the University of Sydney any thoughts would be much appreciated
Reply 54
Not sure about at UQ, but at Melbourne most of the residential colleges (halls) have religious affliations, but there are hardly any, if none at all, compulsory religious activities.
My friend lives at an Anglican hall, and the only religious part is that the head of college says a short grace at the start of dinner (it's a catered hall). Students are not required to say grace or pray or anything like that. In fact, most of the students are not religious.
My friend lives at an Anglican hall, and the only religious part is that the head of college says a short grace at the start of dinner (it's a catered hall). Students are not required to say grace or pray or anything like that. In fact, most of the students are not religious.
Reply 55
mml
well i'm at uni melbourne. yes you can still apply for sem 1, 09 entry as an international student. there are a lot of international students here, mostly from asian countries. in terms of social events, in general you can tell from the previous posts in this thread that international and local students tend to stick together and form social groups amongst themselves. i think it is more to do with having different interests rather than racism/discrimination.
an example of having different interests is that local students usually go out and get drunk on a friday/saturday night. for them that is how they have fun with their friends. but for asian students, that is not really our idea of having a good night out with our friends. for us, it would going out for dinner or watching a movie together. of course there are some aussies who don't drink and some asian students who do drink. but this is just in general. i see that you're swedish, so i'm guessing you do drink? in that case, you might find it easy to get along with local students. (sorry for stereotyping if you don't drink)
what course are you planning to study?
an example of having different interests is that local students usually go out and get drunk on a friday/saturday night. for them that is how they have fun with their friends. but for asian students, that is not really our idea of having a good night out with our friends. for us, it would going out for dinner or watching a movie together. of course there are some aussies who don't drink and some asian students who do drink. but this is just in general. i see that you're swedish, so i'm guessing you do drink? in that case, you might find it easy to get along with local students. (sorry for stereotyping if you don't drink)
what course are you planning to study?
lolx, anything this is one of the most true statements over here. I'm asian and yeah, my idea of fun isn't really going out and get drunk
As to asians with poor english >_> they probably just need to set their english requirements higher if they want quality over quantity. There are people with poor results but have parents that are rich enough to send them overseas anyway.
I've applied to both UK and Aus, and ANU has given me an offer but i have to confirm by end of december while cambrige (taking a long shot) results will only be out in Jan. Should I just go ahead to accept and probably pay a penalty later for pulling out if i get cambridge?
the reason i choose Aus is because it's much cheaper than london, but if i got Camb(less than 1% chance), the case would be much different then..
Reply 56
Can anyone say which uni in melbourne has the best student life? social wise and stuff?
Or which state has the best life for uni students?
Or which state has the best life for uni students?
Reply 57
AnishaSen
Or which state has the best life for uni students?
Sydney >> Melbourne >> Brisbane > Perth = Adelaide >>> Canberra.
Both Sydney and Melbourne would be reasonable choices.
Large cities, cosmopolitan, good social life.
Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide are small regional centres with fairly insular people but are ok if you want a quiet life.
Avoid Canberra like the plague.
It has no redeeming features at all.
It is best known as the suicide capital of Australia.
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