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Old 04-06-2005, 01:30 PM   #1
Layla
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If you had the choice to spend a year studying in:

Sydney
Perth
Melbourne

Which would you choose? I am having a hard time deciding because I do not really know much about any of them.
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Old 04-06-2005, 05:55 PM   #2
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Perth
I spent a week in perth and it seems like a really nice town, its reasonably close to the coast and some vineyards. (heaps of millionares live there), has good public transport, plenty of shops, nice weather.

when i wa last in melbounre the weather was pretty icky, very humid, (but that could have just been when i was there). melbourne does have lots of good shopping though, :greenguy:

and i've never been to sydney so i cant really say, but it would be heaps expensive.
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Old 04-06-2005, 06:31 PM   #3
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Melbourne is a nice place. Never been to Perth, but i've heard good things about it. I'm definately not a fan of Sydney, its WAY TOO EXPENSIVE and public transport ALWAYS runs late.
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Old 04-07-2005, 03:16 AM   #4
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Melbourne is the cooler, 4seasons in one day kinda city, but would be my pick... Perth i have never been too, but keen to check out.

Good luck...
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Old 04-07-2005, 04:12 AM   #5
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I live in Perth and have spent 3 weeks on holiday in Sydney before. Never been to Melbourne.

Apparently Melbourne is the best for culture and arts, cuisine and cafes. It has the worst weather (IMO) of the 3.

Sydney has the most people and is the most busiest. I love Sydney. It has tourist attractions like Opera House and Bridge, Darling Harbour etc. These are really cool but I guess could wear off - Sydney is big and you could find yourself living in the suburbs and not feeling like your in Sydney. It is the most expensive city.

I may be biased towards Perth. We have many international students mainly from Asia (as our education is cheaper and more reputable) but also seem to be quite a few from Norway.
Our weather is Mediterranean - doesn't rain that much and the summer is hot and dry - I love this weather. It is also good because we have some great beaches and only 20 minutes drive from the city.
Perth would lack a bit in shopping compared to Sydney and Melbourne but we have a much more laid back and less busy lifestyle here.

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Old 04-07-2005, 07:53 AM   #6
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Thanks guys. This helps a lot!
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Old 04-07-2005, 09:52 AM   #7
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I have only ever been to Sydney (as a tourist) but I absolutely loved it. As it is right on the water and has such a high quantity of waterfront.......I just thought it was an absolutely stunning city. Lots of beaches nearby. Easy to get around. Plus the weather seems like it would be great....reasonably temperate year round. Ultimately, I love water and so that is probably why I like Sydney so much. Plus, the Gold Coast is only a short, realtively inexpensive plane flight away. Personally, I would love to try living there based on what I saw...but is was a relatively short period of time.
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Old 04-07-2005, 05:50 PM   #8
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I've been to all three of those cities (incl living in melbourne) and I must say that my pick is PERTH!! I love the west coast in general. But perth is this little oasis in Australia. It doesn't have the mass population that the east coast gets. It's also very laid back and has a cruisy atmosphere. Northbridge is an awesome club suburb of Perth. Go go go!!

There are also stunning places around perth. Like Rottnest Island and Margaret River region (my home for a bit and the land of surfing and vineyards).

Go west my friend....
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Old 04-08-2005, 05:30 AM   #9
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hell, you've convinced me to move to perth

I was actually thinking of moving to darwin in the not too distant future but i may have to check out perth now before i make my decision.
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Old 04-08-2005, 05:42 PM   #10
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I've decided! I'm going to Perth for a year, I think I will study at either Murdoch University or Edith Cowan university, but i'm not sure which one yet. Either that, or Gollongong University in Gollongong. I'm so excited!!! My stepmom went to Australia to visit for a when she was my age, and she didn't go back to her home in Montreal until 25 years later! so I think that is a good sign. Does anyone know how Australians feel about Americans? I know when I was living in England a couple of years ago they were not too fond of me because I was American so I am kind of worried.
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Old 04-10-2005, 04:03 AM   #11
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Good on you for deciding Layla! Drop me a line when you arrive and I'll show you everything from a local's perspective If you have any more specific questions, shoot.

Also just another note to throw into the debate (con for Perth) - You have to remember that Perth is an isolated city. The next capital city is a few hours away by plane.
The infrastructure on the east coast is a lot more developed and it's easier to get between the cities that are of substantial size.

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Old 04-10-2005, 06:21 AM   #12
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Awesome! Sure youll have a great time!

As for how Aussies feel about Americans, Ive heard of american travellers saying how they hate saying where their from and often say they're canadian because of fear of how people will act towards them..

I'd like to think us Aussies are pretty damn welcoming no matter where ur from (but maybe thats just us cool ones!), I guess I'd just say...don't mistake how people feel about America's government and the whole iraq situation, for how they feel about actual American people. Big difference. and I think people who disagree with american politics, arent going to necessarily dislike americans! (especially those wonderful ones who realise australia is the coolest country in the world *slightly biased*)
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Old 04-10-2005, 06:25 PM   #13
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Yeah!! Good on you for taking the plunge I expect lots of updates and photos. You'll have a blast!!

i think most aussies dislike Mr Bush a fair bit, but so do most americans from what i can see. But i think most aussies decide whether or not hey like a person based on who the person actually is, not who their political leaders are. Well that's what i think anyway.
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Old 04-11-2005, 05:05 AM   #14
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Yes, that's what I'm hoping! I was much younger when I was in England so the kids were much more immature, and I a bit more sensitive. I remember walking into school and people would call me a "war-monger," and say I was trying to take over the world. I'd be like, yes, I, myself, am trying to take over the world!! haha.

I am sure it will be much different now that I am older and people will be more understanding, and realize that no, I have no plans to take over the world, although it does sound enticing...hehe.

and Southbeachbabe- I agree, I think Australia IS the coolest country in the world (and I haven't even been there yet!!!) I can't wait to finally go!!! Thanks for all the advice everyone. I'm not leaving until January it seems like FOREVER! But once I get there I will definitely be posting updates and pictures.
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Old 04-11-2005, 03:58 PM   #15
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Hmmm I was wondering if I should even mention the American thing. But I'll tell you honestly. I found that Australians in general weren't that fond of Americans. Yes of course they hate Bush (who doesn't!!), but I found that Americans themselves weren't that liked either. This isn't a slam against ozzies, as you said before a lot of countries have problems with Americans. But yeah it's there. Stupid yanks, bloody americans etc....You hear it all the time. Mabye not to your face but behind your back. It sounds so mean and awful and it is! But people always try to sugar coat it and i'm just telling u how it is.
I think there is a stigma attached to Americans. loud, obnoxioius, know it all etc. so americans have a disadvantage when travelling.

You know what. Just go in there and blow all those stigmas away! You sound like a cool chick, eager to travel. Prove them all wrong. have a blast!
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Old 04-11-2005, 05:03 PM   #16
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Hey thanks Diorama!
That's some good advice. It's unfortunate when people generalize and make assumptions about a particular group of people, when we are really a diverse bunch, and most of us are not the stereotypical "gun-toting, hillbilly, redneck, bible-thumpers" (As my teacher in England so gently put it) Some of us are actually quite open-minded and well-traveled, as is evident from reading the posts on this board from some fellow Americans. I hope to prove some people wrong while I'm there. I have always thought that is one of the ways we can change the negative opinion that is out there...by actually going out into the world and learning about different cultures and showing that we DO actually have interest in the world.
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Old 04-11-2005, 08:53 PM   #17
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Sounds like fun! So when exactly are you planning on going?
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Old 04-11-2005, 09:10 PM   #18
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I leave late January
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