Over the past few years, Australia has rapidly become a popular choice for African college students. Undergraduate and graduate students alike are finding that Australia has a lot to offer. With 38 public and two private universities all offering students a quality education, and a cost of living that is desirable, it is easy to see why so many students are choosing this unique continent as the place to continue their education.

The Student Lifestyle

For the most part, college students in Australia attend classes Monday through Friday. Depending on how their class schedules are arranged, many students find time to go to a local beach either before or after classes.

On weekends, college students have a variety of nightclubs to choose from for entertainment, as well as going back to the beach. For many college students in Australia, Sundays are often reserved for completing homework assignments that need to be turned in during the upcoming week.

In addition to hanging out at the beach or at nightclubs, many college students also like to pursue other outdoor activities that are quite popular throughout the country. Rock climbing, fishing, hiking, skiing, and biking are some of the most popular outdoor activities for students.

School Life

One of the biggest issues for African, and other international students, is becoming acclimated to the university lifestyle in Australia. Of course, it is perfectly normal that someone who is new to a country would need a bit of an adjustment period in order to become fully settled in. Attending school in Australia is no different. Once you get used to your daily routine, however, you will likely find that you made an excellent choice in choosing to attend college there.

To help with that period of adjustment, African students may find it helpful to connect with people from “home” through community and resource sites that are specifically designed to provide African students with tips and advice. AfricanOz.com.au is one site that provides a wealth of community information for African students living in Australia. African Scholar is a site offering useful resources such as a chat room and forum for student interaction. This can really help you to connect with other people with whom you may have common interests.

Au Study Africa provides valuable information for African students who are looking for scholarships, costs associated with attending school, visa requirements, and international recognition of the degrees that can be earned at Australian universities. In addition, this site also provides a free quarterly newsletter for anyone who is interested in signing up.

Au Study Africa also holds regular exhibitions and seminars for African students who would like to attend college in Australia. On occasion, this organization holds contests that are only open to African students, so it is certainly worthwhile to check out the website to gather information.

Becoming acclimated to life in Australia can be a relatively easy process for students who choose to become involved in community activities. Becoming active in your new, temporary home will help you to feel more at ease and more a part of your new community.