Melbourne City Overview - Universitiy Options, Local Scene, Attractions

Melbourne is a city that perfectly blends sophisticated arts and culture with bohemian charm and is divided into precincts that cater to every lifestyle. Stellar public transportation makes getting around the city easy and convenient, allowing those who study in Melbourne to experience the beach in St. Kilda and shopping in South Yarra in one afternoon. Streets are dotted with art galleries, cafés, farmers markets and craft stalls, and the Business District is home to a thriving international business community and some of Australia's most prominent schools.

Study Options

Students interested in study abroad opportunities in Melbourne have several options from which to choose and have the added benefit of multi-campus institutions that provide the opportunity to experience the diverse areas of Melbourne. Students who choose to study in Melbourne can apply to the university with the only whale and dolphin research program in Australia, a university that is among the largest in Australia and has one of the most prominent international student populations, or one of Australia's esteemed Group of Eight schools, which was also the first Australian university to establish a green program for environmental sustainability.

The following three universities are the most popular options for students interested in international study in Melbourne and each offers multiple locations throughout the city:

• Deakin University
• RMIT University
• Monash University

These universities offer programs in marine sciences, business, arts, language studies, social sciences, research and many other topics. Students looking for short-term study abroad options might also consider one of the language schools that offer short course programs in Melbourne.

Local Scene

International students who study in Melbourne will immediately fall in love with this city's vast array of attractions and way of life. On any given day, one could sip their morning coffee as they people watch at a sidewalk café, meander through botanical gardens, indulge in world-class shopping, visit one of the city's impressive museums, attend a theater production in a reportedly haunted theater and end the evening with indie music in a bohemian nightclub before hopping on Melbourne's exceptional public transportation system and heading home.

Those with a penchant for shopping will love watching street performers as they hit the major department stores in the Bourke Street Mall, checking out Gaunt's Clock and the mythical monsters Gog and Magog when browsing through the shops in the Royal Arcade built in 1870, tasting local cuisine while strolling through the Queen Victoria Markets (the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere), and meeting artisans and crafts people while taking in Sunday's Market at the Arts Centre.

Animal lovers will appreciate the wide range of opportunities to learn about species native to Australia, as well as many exotic animals. Students who study in Melbourne can spend the day touring the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, take a Wildlife Adventure Walk at dusk at the Little River Earth Sanctuary, partake in a guided moonlight tour to learn about nocturnal animals at the Moonlit Sanctuary or take a canoe safari at Victoria's Open Range Zoo. Or, to help preserve Australia's unique wildlife, students could also look into volunteering at the Koala Conservation Centre or the Australian Platypus Conservancy.

From culture lovers and fashionistas, to folks who would prefer exploring Chinatown or Little Greece to take in some of Melbourne's diverse international flavor, Melbourne has something to offer for everyone. Vibrant and lively, both day and night, this cosmopolitan city is an ideal choice for a fulfilling international study experience.

Accommodations

A variety of options for accommodations are available to international students who study in Melbourne. Your choice of accommodation will depend on which university you attend and personal preference. For example, both Deakin University and Monash University offer on-campus housing, which is a very convenient option for international students; however, not everyone prefers to spend all of their time on campus and some prefer a bit more privacy or the opportunity to live like a local. Off-campus options include private or shared studios, apartments and homes, as well as home stays with Australian families.

Students should keep in mind that the universities in Melbourne tend to have village-like campuses and are generally in close proximity to amenities and services, with some campuses located in the heart of the city and others located a significant distance from the city center. Melbourne has a dependable public transportation system that allows for easy access to local attractions and transport between home and school from most neighborhoods; however, students should confirm the location of the campus they will be attending before arranging for housing to avoid long commutes. For example, one of Deakin University's campuses is located 40 minutes from central Melbourne; therefore you probably would not want to arrange for accommodations on the opposite side of town.

Melbourne Highlights

As the second largest city in Australia, Melbourne has a population of roughly 3.5 million and consistently ranks as one of the world's most livable cities. Less flashy and more international than Sidney, Melbourne is preferred by many for its self-proclaimed status as the cultural capital of Australia and its vast international community. Students who choose to study in Melbourne will have the unique opportunity for multicultural growth that can only be provided by living in a city such as Melbourne, with its large Greek, Italian, Jewish, Thai, Cambodian, Chinese and Vietnamese populations. Athens, Greece is the only city in the world to have more Greek residents and it is believed that Melbourne is home to more Italians than any other city outside of Italy.

Melbourne has a rich and varied history that includes acting as the country's capital from 1901 to 1927 and experiencing a gold rush that rivaled that of the Yukon and California in the 1850s. It is also home to the world's oldest operating roller coaster, is well-known for its many botanical gardens and unique blend of architecture, and is considered the sporting capital of Australia. Cricket and horseracing are two of the main sports in the area and this is one of the few places in the world that you will find a public holiday dedicated to a horserace.

Students who choose to study in Melbourne will find a cosmopolitan city that enjoys a laidback lifestyle and a unique blend of cultures that has created a welcoming environment for all who choose to visit, or to call Melbourne home.