Aussie Adventures: Prepping You for Down Under!

By Honor Cessford, Australian National University

Things I wish I knew before moving to Australia

If you are considering studying down under, here are several things I wish I had known before I moved to Australia:

Australia is Vast and Diverse: Covering over three million square miles, Australia’s size rivals that of the entire European continent. This significant size has implications for travel and transportation so is necessary to keep it in mind when planning trips & transportation.

Australia’s Varied Climate: Contrary to the assumption that Australia is always warm, there are distinct seasons. Winters can be quite cold, especially in places like Canberra where temperatures can drop significantly – when I landed in July it was -5 degrees! If you are after a warmer climate, Brisbane enjoys a tropical climate, while Melbourne is infamous for its “four seasons in one day.”

Sunburn Central: The UV rays in Australia really are on a different level. The ozone layer above Australia is unusually thin therefore is it essential to be extra careful with sun protection in Australia. You don’t want to be the classic Brit abroad & also you will have a miserable time if you become a victim of sunburn!

Skiing Opportunities: Surprisingly, Australia offers skiing experiences. For instance, in Canberra, you can easily access both coastal and snowy climates within a 2-hour drive. Don’t forget to pack your skiing gear if you’re a fan!

Quick fun fact – Jaywalking is a crime! Although you won’t end up thrown in prison, if caught crossing the road illegally you can be slapped with a fine of AUD$70. That’s just over £35!

Wildlife: Don’t let wildlife put you off choosing Australia as your study abroad destination. Although Australia is home to some killer wildlife, I only ever saw a handful of large spiders and no snakes. The scary stories are a little exaggerated – after all crocs and sharks can be easily avoided!

Beware of Magpies: Having said that, you should worry about Magpies! Unlike magpies in the UK, they are known to be extremely aggressive and swoop on unsuspecting pedestrians and cyclists. Due to this, there is a website called Magpie Alert which provides a live map of all magpie attack locations in Australia!

Kangaroos: I was disappointed to discover that kangaroos are not special to locals – in fact, they are viewed as pests! It was surreal to see kangaroos hopping across campus, however, I was shocked to discover that this was not out of the ordinary for locals!

BBQ culture: Aussies love a good BBQ. Picture parks and beaches equipped with grills, allowing you to fulfil the stereotypical Australian dream of having a BBQ by the beach!

Aussie Lingo: Aussie slang is a real thing. Although English is the official language of Australia, they have added their own spin to it. Generally, they chop the second half of any word off and then add an ‘o’. For example, I heard arvo (afternoon) dropped on the daily.

Bar confusion: Ordering a beer has never been so stressful! Forget just ordering a pint – you must decipher between a pot, a schooner, a pint and a jug – and that’s just the basics! Schmiddies, middies and many more variations exist – and they also differ between states!

Cost of Living: Living in Australia can be a bit pricey, with an average living cost of $2,835 per month. However, this is compensated for with higher wages and weekend bonuses! For example, I worked part-time at a rugby stadium and was paid $36/hour on a Sunday (the equivalent of nearly £19/hour).

Booze budget: Alcohol is VERY expensive in Australia. Whether buying from the ‘bottle-o’ or at a pub/club, you will be forking out a lot more than you would in the UK. At the ANU bar, I was devastated to find I’d been charged AUD$9.50 for a schooner of ginger beer (not even a pint!).

Avian Orchestra: Australian birds are extremely loud, and unfortunately for me, my dorm room backed onto a cluster of trees which were home to Australian birds who sang at both dawn and dusk. This was incredibly irritating in the summer when the sun was rising at 5 am. Having said that the kookaburras and galahs were beautiful birds. Very different to the pigeons on the streets of Manchester!

Prepare for the Aussie adventure of a lifetime! Hope these insights help you prepare for your move down under! 🇦🇺🐨✨