Australia is widely lauded as one of the best countries to study in. And Sydney constantly ranks in the top 10 for best student cities and for a good reason. Not only is Sydney safe, but it also offers international students an excellent opportunity to have an exciting and memorable experience. From the great weather to exciting activities to explore, Sydney rightfully deserves every bit of praise.
However, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows because as great as Sydney is, there are also some downsides that some international students may find off-putting. Time to explore the pros and cons of studying in Sydney.
CONS: A CITY THAT SLEEPS EARLY
New York is popularly called the city that never sleeps but Sydney is the exact opposite. Many cafes, restaurants and bars close by 4 PM while others close by 5 PM. Because of the early closing times, it would be hard for you to find what you need after 5 PM; this can be especially frustrating for students who have classes until 7 PM or sometimes, 9 PM.
So if you’re still at school when most shops and stores close, you may have to go to sleep hungry or settle for ordering in (which can be expensive).
PROS: PERFECT CITY FOR A STUDENT
This has to be said, if you are coming to Sydney looking to get the best education, you will undoubtedly get your money’s worth and more. The Economist Intelligence Unit scored Sydney as a top destination for students in terms of quality education, infrastructure and health care.
You can find traditional, research-based campuses or technologically driven institutions in Sydney. The universities and VET colleges in Sydney are highly rated and recognised as being among the best in the world.
CONS: PRICEY
The truth is that living in Sydney as an international student can be pricey. Because Sydney is also a tourist destination, housing and other amenities can get quite expensive especially during months when there’s a rise in tourism.
The high prices for housing and other essentials can be attributed to Australia having one of the highest standards of living in the world. This isn’t the worst thing because of the next pro.
PROS: PART-TIME WORK OPPORTUNITIES
The downside of Sydney being expensive comes with the upside of a great economy and plenty of job opportunities for you. International students are allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight (two-week period) and full-time hours during vacations in Australia. So even though things might be costly in Sydney, you can work part-time to offset your expenses.
Furthermore, the minimum wage in Australia is among the highest in the world meaning your salary will be more than enough. Sydney is also one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, hence career and job opportunities in this city are higher than in other places in Australia.
CONS: CRAZY TRAFFIC
The traffic in Sydney is something you can’t avoid, especially if you live close to the city centre. The sidewalks, roads, restaurants, bars, and sometimes parks and stadiums are usually crowded. However, through meticulous planning, you can avoid the crowd. For transportation, the best option is public transportation which is incredibly safe, affordable and always on time.
PROS: WORK VISA
One reason overseas international students choose Sydney, Australia over other countries is the easy pathway toward obtaining a work visa after graduation (case by case basis depending on the course you study and visa history). Furthermore, the part-time work experience you have garnered will make your application easier and you will be more likely to land a very good job in your field of choice.
TIME TO LIVE IN “THE EMERALD CITY”
Sydney, Australia is a great city, full stop. This is a city with amazing attractions, plenty of entertainment and job opportunities, a great mix of culture and much more. So although Sydney may be expensive to live in with a ton of traffic and noise, all of these are offset by the many advantages this city has to offer.
Are you ready to start the next chapter of your life? You can do so by enrolling in an acclaimed educational institution.
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