How You Can Survive In Australia As A Student

As a student survival can be adventurous. If you want to enjoy studying abroad in Australia, then you’re in for a turning point in your life! Each year, international students come in hundreds of thousands to enroll in Australian colleges and universities to experience the unique magic.

There are lots of things to consider before and while you are studying in Australia after you must have Explore Visa Options For Australian Visa Application.

This is why I will take you into discussing points such as; how to budget your money, how to open a bank account, where you will live, knowing your new surroundings, and other essential life tips that make studying in Australia much easier for a student.

Student survival can be adventurous. Let me show you intelligent tips on how you can survive Australia as a student.

To Budgeting your Money

Budgeting your money might sound boring though, but it’s an important part a student must learn. You will have a good plan of how far your dollars will last you if you rightly budget your money before leaving your country.

Take note of expenses like; Visa fees, Health insurance, Tuition, Books, Student Accommodation, Transportation, Food, Activities, Travel. Plan how much you’d like to budget for each category.

International undergraduate students studying in Australia spend approximately AU$30,840 averagely (about $22,000 USD). That means be sure to plan your expenses to survive in Australia. As a student, managing your expenses can be tasking, therefore finding scholarships, extra jobs in Nigeria before leaving for Australia will help you monitor your spending and keep you on track.

How To Open a Bank Account

It is easy to open a bank account in Australia. Different Australian banks will process student applications online and let you transfer funds before moving. You can save money with one of the Big Four banks in Australia, a provincial bank, or small ones.

To survive, here are three types of bank accounts international students can open:

Everyday Transaction Account
While you can transact with your bank with an everyday transaction account, you will be issued a debit card to make purchases at stores, pay bills online, and deposit or withdraw money from bank ATMs.
Everyday Transaction Account for Students
Similar to the one above, it helps you start saving some money by not charging you a monthly account fee because you are a student.
Traditional Savings Account
If you already have savings with a bank in Nigeria, then you may link a savings account to your everyday transaction account. Try to find a bank that offers savings accounts with high interest so that you can grow your money while studying in Australia.

Finding Student Accommodation Where you Can Live

There are lots of options with finding student accommodation where you can live during your study, ranging from a private apartment, furnished studio, to rooms in a shared furnished apartment. It’s up to you!

Most international students love to live in Sydney which has a dozen universities. So student housing in Sydney is readily available. Though there is beautiful student accommodation in Brisbane and in Melbourne which are popular Australian cities known for their high ranking universities.

Knowing your New Surroundings

As a good tip for international student’s survival, immerse yourself in the diverse culture. Australia is embracing diverse cultures and traditions which makes you appreciate the beauty of the Australian people as you make friends with locals.

Locals can show you the best restaurants, sights to see, nightlife, and activities. Don’t be skeptic, Australians are very accommodating.

Keep Your Health in Check with International Health Insurance

Part of your official visa application requires all international students in Australia to secure overseas student health coverage (OSHC). The Insurance plan must cover your duration of studies. Your university can guide you through five different OSHC insurers from which to choose.

OSHC covers basic healthcare like; the cost of seeing a doctor and some pharmaceutical drugs but may not have absolute cover for complex health conditions. Buy a private insurance plan in Nigeria to make sure your health needs are fully covered.

Learn How to Use Public Transportation

Mastering public transportation is one smart way of surviving in Australia as a student. Australia currently has several modes of transportation depending on the city you live which include buses, trains, ferries, and the light rail.

After arriving at your new city, find out which one is best convenient for you. Public transportation is a great way to get familiar with your newfound surroundings, either by taking the bus to and from school or to the CBD or another mode.

Stay Connected to Home

Get a good phone when it comes to connecting with loved ones back at home. International roaming and SIM card usage may incur additional costs to your monthly phone bill.

To avoid the high cost of using your cell phone, you can always utilize Skype, FaceTime, and iMessage on your computer or iPhone, or buy a cheap prepaid phone for calls exclusively inside Australia.

Whichever way you prefer to stay in touch with home as a student, be sure to reach mom and dad so they don’t worry about you while you are away!