Studying abroad at an Australian Registered Training Organisation and embarking on a life changing, unforgettable adventure ‘down under’ is a popular decision more and more international students are boldly choosing to make.
Rising in popularity, the Australian Trade and Investment commission released a report that showed over half a million international students from nearly two hundred countries had chosen to study in Australia in 2016. Australian Government, International Student Data 2016.
This is no surprise as Australia is one of the world’s most popular study destinations. Although Melbourne takes the cake as Australia’s leading student city, Sydney remains a strong competitor for its inclusive diverse community, thriving city streets, breathtaking scenery, perfect weather, food culture and relaxed lifestyle. QS Best Student Cities of 2017
Read more on how studying in Australia will change your life here.
Aside from its warm beaches, clear blue skies and friendly local vibe, below are 6 reasons why studying abroad in Sydney will be the best decision you've ever made!
1. Receive World Class Education
Rated as the 13th best student city in the world, Sydney is obviously a great place to receive world-class education, by QS Best Student Cities of 2017.
Filled to the brim with globally recognised educational institutes, Sydney is home to a number of prestigious universities and colleges that continue to grow each year.
This March, Queensford College is proud to increase that number by one, opening a Sydney based campus offering nationally accredited courses in Business, Accounting, Social Media Marketing, Hospitality, Aged Care, Early Childhood Education and Care and English.
Specialising in a blend of in-depth theoretical concepts and the practical applications of vocational study Queensford College’s Sydney campus offers world-class teaching methods aimed to equip each student with globally-competitive skills and industry standard experience; all of which can be immediately applied in the workforce.
Studying in Australia at an Australian Registered Training Organisation like Queensford College will ensure you receive a qualification that is nationally recognised and sought after in Australia.
But choosing the right course for you can sometimes be hard, and there are many things to think about including course outline, course fees and employment opportunities. Don’t miss a thing by downloading the free “Find My Dream Course” checklist to assess your desired qualification to see if it ticks all the right boxes.
2. Celebrate A Diverse And Multi-Cultural Society
Sydney is known for being a diverse and culturally accepting city with a resident population of 180 nationalities and more than 140 languages. If that wasn’t diverse enough for you, the 2011 Census, revealed that a third of Sydney’s population was born overseas (exactly 1.4 million Sydney residents coming from a different ethnic background, as recorded by ABS).
To celebrate their multi-cultural community Sydney often hosts events and festivals that promote cultural awareness and respect diversity! These kinds of festivals, which normally run for a few days all year round, celebrate a selected countries music, food, film, comedy, art and dance. E.g: Living in Harmony is a popular Sydney festival that celebrates a number of nationalities including Chinese, Indian, Greek, Lebanese, Serbian, Egyptian, Japanese, Burmese and Thai for an entire month!
In addition, Sydney is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the rights of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) people by creating a safe and welcoming environment. If you choose to study abroad in Sydney you may be lucky enough to watch the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras which features a parade of dancers, singers and people dressed up in colourful costumes.
Truly a city filled with love and compassion for anyone regardless of age, gender, culture, ethnicity, background, religious belief or sexual orientation Sydney is the perfect place to study abroad.
3. Enjoy Unique Experiences
Sydney is a massive playground for those who seek all kinds of adventure.
As an international student studying in Australia what better place to experience all of what the country has to offer! Whether you enjoy surfing massive waves, wandering the streets of Old China Town or finishing a 6km trek across the Australian coastline, Sydney has you sorted!
Check out this list of unique things you can do in your study break in Sydney:
- Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Watch the Australian Ballet at the Sydney Opera House
- Catch the ferry to Manly beach for the day
- Go Kayaking on the Harbour
- Take a swim in the most photographed ocean pool in the world (Bondi Icebergs)
- Take the 6km Bondi to Coogee walk on a Sunday morning
- Go surfing at Bondi Beach
- Jump on a roller coaster at Luna Park
- Take a hike through the Blue Mountains
- Spend all your money at Paddington Markets
- Have a picnic in the botanic gardens
- Watch the fireworks in Darling Harbour on Saturday night
- See an AFL game at the Sydney Cricket Grounds
4. Taste Its Vibrant Food Scene
Home to a mouth-watering line-up of restaurants, cafes, dessert bars and gourmet bistros Sydney is a front runner in modern Australian cuisine – and we all know studying uses up large amounts of energy that can only be refuelled by plenty of brain food!
Parramatta, a popular food hub located in Sydney west is home to over 180 bustling restaurants. It is here you can find the infamous ‘Eat Street’ precinct and join in the buzz of people enjoying a wide selection of international dishes like wood fire pizzas, Peking duck and Penang curry! Walk a little further and you will find Bourke Street Bakery; a quaint bakery café offering gourmet beef pies, fresh breads, pastries and homemade quiches.
So, whether you are into bizarre ice cream flavours like the ones offered at Aqua S (Sea Salt, Lychee, Pandan, Rose, Tofu), lasagne burgers at Bertoni café or expensive weather based dessert creations like the Snow Egg offered at the Quay; Sydney is a place for you to live out all your food based dreams.
5. Perfect Weather
Sydney has warm summers and mild winters; so you won’t waste any time sweating through shirts or freezing on your way to the bus stop. For international students, this means you also won’t have to worry about spending extra money on clothing like snow jackets, or woollen mittens since it never gets icy cold!
According to Weather and Science Facts Australia, Sydney’s boasts “a perfect sunny climate 236 days a year!” Celebrate this by adventuring outdoors with a day trip to one of New South Wales many national parks or reserves. Filled with hundreds of bushw alks and hiking trails, take a break from studying and enjoy the fresh, clean air in the Blue Mountains!
You could also spend a day relaxing in the sun at one of Sydney’s popular beachers! Grab your towel, sunscreen and floppy hat and head to Bondi Beach for a quick dip. If you’re looking for somewhere a little less crowded, try packing a picnic and heading to Balmoral or Redleaf beach.
6. Earn And Learn
If you’re an international student studying abroad in Australia you are eligible to work up to 20 hours a week on your Student Visa. This is to boost your personal living expenses and provide some income to pay for any extra study costs. Learn more about your student visa here.
Studying and working abroad in Sydney will give you incredible opportunities to experience working life in Australia. Known for its quaint coffee houses, lively bars and gourmet cafes many international students find themselves interested in gaining casual employment and balancing study at the same time.
This is also a great way to earn a little extra money to travel to nearby tourist hot spots or to enjoy a Sydney lifestyle without stress.
CHOOSING YOUR COURSE
Many colleges and universities in Sydney offer a wide array of courses to choose from. International students have the advantage of finding a program that will fit their skills and career path through the help of their chosen institution.
Queensford College is here to help. Queensford College is a nationally recognised registered training organisation (RTO) and is an emerging choice of students abroad in helping them succeed academically and professionally. It is a gateway to what quality education in Sydney can offer. Here are some of the courses offered:
- English
- Accounting and Business
- Social Media Marketing
- Information Technology
- Hospitality and Commercial Cookery
- Child Care and Aged Care
For more course information visit our course page or you can read more about our International Student Program here.
Become a qualified chef, aged care worker, business manager or accountant at our Queensford College Sydney Campus today! Take a look at our range of courses here. Or if you prefer to speak to a Course Advisor, call us on 1300 236 364.
