No need to feel concerned about being the odd man out in Australia. Placing third behind only the United States and the United Kingdom in terms of total international students, Australia has seen at least 200,000 foreign students attend its universities for the past several years. Due to the popularity of study abroad programs in Australia around the world, Australia has become well known for being a very accessible destination for international students. Almost all of the major universities provide programs and services specifically tailored toward helping incoming study abroad students get settled, form friendships, and make the most out of their international experience.

Between the more than 40 universities in Australia, there are hundreds of opportunities to study hundreds of different subjects. For a majority of study abroad students, the larger universities will be top choices, and each one will provide just as many courses of study as any major American university. The most prestigious school in the country, the Australian National University, has over 750 possible course combinations; the pure number of courses offered at the Australian National University means that you will not only be able to take courses related to your major, but there will also be ample opportunities to broaden your academic horizons by taking a class or two that you may not be able to participate in at your home university.

Still, looking for ways to knock down the price of studying abroad in Australia? Well, Australia is far from unique when it comes to visa restrictions. Although international students will be required to have a student visa to enter the country, the perks that come along with that visa set the nation apart: student visa holders are eligible for employment in Australia. Working while studying in Australia is something that can help drive down the cost of an already affordable experience.
Students can work up to 40 hours every two weeks in jobs that require only basic skills, such as in grocery stores, food and beverage service, or even in various roles on their respective university campuses. These positions can drastically reduce the cost of studying abroad in Australia, often covering most if not all expenses associated with rent, groceries, utilities, and possibly even a bit of tuition as well. Oh, and did we mention the minimum wage in Australia currently sits at just under 17 dollars per hour?

Do you want fun in the sun? You’ve got it in Australia! With the far southern territory of Victoria as somewhat of an exception, Australia’s climate remains moderately warm to downright hot year-round. Some of the top universities for international students are located in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, all of which would consider a daily high below 50 degrees Fahrenheit a rarity at any point in the year. Also keep in mind that due to its location in the southern hemisphere, the seasons in Australia are opposite of those in the United States, making a trip down under a great way to trade in a frigid North American winter for a sunny Australian summer!

Australians are famous for their laid back lifestyles, and the student culture of the country epitomizes this. While there is no doubt that Australian students take their schooling very seriously, they approach their leisure time with the same amount of commitment. Many of the major universities in Australia are located along the east coast in cities with easy access to parks, trails, and often beaches as well. People from all age groups make good use of these amenities, but student populations add a fair bit of organization to the mix with student clubs devoted to just about every type of relaxation activities imaginable. Similar to the United States, student organizations and clubs are a mainstay of basically every university, offering countless opportunities for relaxing and escaping the academic atmosphere, even if only for a little while.