Moving to a new place to study sounds overwhelming. Where will you live? How will you afford tuition? And most importantly, will you like it? But every year thousands of Australian students pack their suitcases, say bye to mom, and move to a new city to attend college. What’s it really like? People who have been there share their experiences.
‘There wasn’t anything in Tasmania similar to what I wanted to study, so I applied abroad. My sisters had both moved to Melbourne to study. At first I lived in the dormitory, which helped coming over to Melbourne and knowing no one.
‘Being able to go to football every week, seeing so much live music and experiencing new things was amazing. I met people and had experiences I never would have been exposed to had I stayed in Tasmania. Moving abroad is always going to be a big change but I found it worthwhile.’
– Alex Crowden, social media coordinator and Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communications) graduate
‘I had studied in many places. I did graphic design in Brisbane, and after working abroad as a designer, I went back to college in Melbourne to do science. My science marks were good enough to get into medicine in WA, so I moved to Perth to study to be a doctor.
‘Each time I moved, I had to start making friends again, and there’s no doubt that’s hard and you miss having people you’ve known for years. But ultimately now I have friends all over the world! I think it was definitely the best way for me personally to study – without having moved around I wouldn’t have been able to take each possible stepping stone, and get where I am today.’
– Daniel Chisholm, doctor and Medicine graduate

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Jack: Can you give me some advice about ( ) school in China? I’m a bit nervous.

Mason: It’s a lot of fun and a great ( ) . You have to remember to have a good attitude about it.
Jack: That’s great. Did you live in the ( ) while studying there?
Mason: I actually rented my own apartment.
Jack: Good to know.