Australia and the surrounding region of Oceania is a fun and exciting location to study abroad. Not only do some of the best universities in the world call Oceania home, the area also carries major global influence and opportunity for students on all fronts. If adventure travel is atop your list of key reasons to study abroad, then perhaps nowhere in the world offers a more thriving opportunity than Australia and Oceania.
Locations
Australia is far and away the largest country of Oceania, with a population hovering around 25 million and a bevy of major cities worth considering for study abroad. Sydney is the country’s largest city, considered one of the top 10 global cities on earth, while alternative destinations, such as Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, offer perhaps equally enticing urban environments for study abroad in Australia. Australian cities are often considered some of the most livable on the planet, so students will definitely be stimulated in the best ways possible while studying abroad in Australia.
New Zealand is another popular destination for study abroad in Oceania, offering beautiful landscapes and a charming, smaller feel in relation to its neighbor Australia. Study abroad programs in New Zealand are often located in Auckland, the country’s largest city, and Wellington, the Kiwi capital.
Beyond Australia and New Zealand, there are a dozen or so smaller island nations that further comprise the region of Oceania. Tahiti, Fiji, and Samoa are among the more populous countries of Oceania, and can offer study abroad students a highly unique cultural experience. The populations of these island nations are mostly rural, so students will likely not be living in a big city in any of these places. Therefore, students must be prepared for a much different lifestyle!
Study Abroad in Australia & Oceania
There are many different subject areas and types of study abroad programs located throughout Australia and Oceania. Many programs will enable students to study abroad at a local university for a spring or fall semester, generally giving them access to full course catalogues and a large range of subject areas. Popular fields of study among international students include international business, anthropology, Australian studies, and political science.
English is typically the language of instruction throughout the region, making the transition to coursework in local schools quite easy for English speakers. Keep in mind that because of reversed seasons, the semester system is slightly out of sync from most education systems in the northern hemisphere; the school year generally runs from March until November, so this discrepancy will be something students will need to plan ahead for.
Another option is to embark on a study abroad program in Australia and Oceania that is specifically designed for international students. Some organizations will offer full semester or year-long programs at their own satellite institutions, while others will offer shorter summer study abroad programs that travel throughout various locations in the region. Usually these last from three weeks to three months, are led by a professor, and will give you the opportunity to earn academic credit for at least a couple of courses.
Scholarships & Costs
There is significant variation in the expenses of studying abroad in Australia and Oceania. Australia is one of the most expensive countries in the world, both in terms of tuition and on-the-ground costs of living. New Zealand is slightly less expensive, and the smaller island nations surrounding these two are significantly cheaper, since overall, they are less developed countries. No matter where you study abroad, it can’t hurt to check out all the scholarship opportunities available for study abroad in Australia and Oceania.
Accommodation & Visas
Students are usually accommodated in homestays, college dormitories, or apartments for the duration of their time in Australia and Oceania, but this varies by the duration and program type. Since there is a significant variation in economic development across the region, available accommodations will differ significantly from one country to the next. Students should be sure to talk to their program provider about available housing opportunities before departure, and do some research to find which seems like the best fit!
Visa requirements also vary throughout the region; although, typically students will have to apply for a student visa for long-term study abroad programs in Australia and Oceania. You can check out GoAbroad’s Embassy Directory to locate the consulate nearest to you that can help answer any visa questions you may have.
Benefits & Challenges
Beyond Down Under. Australia is an incredible continent, but don’t forget that Oceania is a much larger region which begs to be explored. Even if you study abroad in Australia, set aside some time to travel throughout Oceania’s further reaches.
Adventure Opportunity. Oceania is one of the most popular regions on the planet for adventure travel, and for good reasons. The unique landscapes and laid-back mindset of the area makes for quite the exhilarating travel experience.
Greater Education. Studying abroad offers an education that far exceeds any knowledge handed down to you in a classroom. Through travel and seeking new experiences you will learn a whole lot about who you are and the grand world which surrounds you.
