Words by Angela Koh
Australia has a lot of pretty amazing cities, each with their own personality, features, and hidden gems. So we understand why international students hoping to come to Australia can feel a bit overwhelmed when it comes to choosing where to start their new lives. To help, we at Spiible have created, lets call them city profiles, for each of the major cities, to help you choose which city is for you. We hope this makes the decision a little bit easier!
Sydney (Coming soon)
Perth
Melbourne
The Gold Coast
Brisbane
Tasmania
As an international student from Singapore who has spent a year in Hobart, I can certainly say you don’t have to be a tree-hugger to enjoy or adapt to life in Hobart, despite the fact Hobart is also known for its keen bushwalkers and environmental-friendliness.
It will be a pleasant change from urban life, if you are even the least bit of an adventurous, outdoorsy, and nature-loving individual.
Dubbed the ‘Second Friendliest City in the world’ by Lonely Planet, the Tasmanian capital, Hobart, is where you will take great solace in the friendliness of people. People here are largely friendly and open to diversity.
Not often in Australia (nor the rest of the world, for that matter) do you find cashiers asking you “How’s it going?”, then sharing that they are taking a gap year from University.
One of the many things I have noticed about Tasmania aside from its omnipresent beautiful scenery, is its unpredictable weather. Even a daily weather app-check might fail you when it can literally rain on your parade. The Tasmanian weather is equivalent to that of a warmer UK or a colder Austrtalia. (My tip would be to dress in layers so you can remoive or add one whenever it suits you!)
The small Tasmanian population makes the proportionately large Asian student population in Sandy Bay noticeable. (Satirically nicknamed “Sandy Beijing” by a Thai friend of mine.) It is neither a coincidence that Sandy Bay is concentrated with places for good Asian Cuisine.
A uniquely Tasmanian experience would be to chase the elusive Aurora Australis. Equipped with a camera, and membership in Aurora-chasing Facebook groups, you won’t be disappointed with the breathtaking pictures you capture.
For those keen on road trips and historic sites, a 1.5 hour drive from the city takes you to Port Arthur. There, you, along with the rest of Tassie, will be delighted to be kept occupied for hours, with the museums, guided walking tours, ferry rides, or just chilling with a picnic by the beautiful blue waters.
Bonorong Park is the place to go for those who look forward to seeing their first kangaroos and koalas in Australia. I had a great time there with my Aussie friend who took a daytrip down with me.
Make Hobart your choice for a study experience in Australia; you will not be disappointed!
If you have any questions about this, or about any aspect of studying in Australia, please don’t hesitate to ask! Feel free to ask questions below in the comment section, or email us directly at hello@spiible.com. We are here to help!