Melbourne

How to eat like a Melburnian

The article is written by Paola Bianchi

5 essential things to be on the right track

1. Feeling like toast for breakfast? Better be Sourdough!

You can find Sourdough bread (fermented dough) in any respectable bakery, cafe and supermarket. If it is wholemeal, organic, mixed with Rye or with seeds, you are closer to eat like a Melburnian. Give a try to the classic buttered bread with Vegemite and avocado. Yummy!

For Melburnians, it’s all about gut health.

Bonus: our fav spots in Melbourne are Baker D. Chirico and Tivoli Road Bakery. You won’t be disappointed!

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2. When ordering eggs, the waitress will ask ‘how do you want your eggs’
and it is expected to be a specific answer. Most menus show an ‘eggs your way’ option. What does that mean? It means you can choose between a lot of possibilities! We definitely haven’t seen this in my hometown.

Boiled eggs (soft or hard); scramble eggs (soft and fluffy); fried eggs (sunny side up or over); poached eggs (hard or runny) and baked eggs.

Bonus: for eggs made like in heaven, head to The Kettle Black or Hardware Société. These places have been delivering awesome eggs for a long time.

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3. Have you been invited to a Christmas meal?
Fabulous! Make sure to bring wine or dessert. Any good quality red wine will be happily accepted. If you want to please sweet tooths, get a lovely dense fruit cake, plum pudding or the old fashion gingerbread.

According to a survey made by Woolworths (a big chain of supermarkets), over half a million pavlovas are usually sold on the week previous to Christmas. Get a pavlova; you can’t go wrong!

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4. Did you think that ordering a coffee is easy peasy?
Think again! The coffee culture in Melbourne is a serious thing, and the competition between cafes, roasters and coffee suppliers is a hot subject.

To cover the basics, we have the espresso coffee which can be black (think long black or double ristretto) or white (with your choice of milk, think lattes or cappuccinos).

There are also other alternatives that are becoming incredibly popular like filtered coffee (served hot and black) and cold drip/ cold brew (served cold, black or white)

If unsure of which coffee to get, we suggest to talk to the barista and ask for a recommendation. Usually, they are happy to go quickly through their options to help you determine which drink suits you better.

Bonus: our top-notch places for coffee fans are St Ali in South Melbourne (sit in one of the communal tables) and Patricia Coffee Brewers in the CBD (no sitting here, it’s a standing room!).

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5. Keep the politeness.
We know it can be exciting to try new things and you may want to do it ASAP. But always say this two magic words: ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. We found that Melburnians are so polite that even when they didn’t do anything wrong, they will say sorry first.

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Art on the move? I’m in!

The article is written by Paola Bianchi

Imagine you are walking around with your friends on any street in Melbourne and all of a sudden you see your art displayed on a Tram that is passing by and say to your pals ‘hey, I designed that!’
Oh! I would be so proud of you!

‘Streets are theatres of life, and in Melbourne, the set is always in motion’ the organisers stated.

Melbourne city is calling (gain!) to all artists that live in Victoria to apply to use the Tram as a canvas.
Is the sixth consecutive year that this project is on, having tremendous success. Just 8 participants will be able to showcase. As a condition, participants must be a Victorian resident, based in the state as the primary location in which they live and work. Don’t worry! I double checked with their information department and confirmed that any international student is eligible to apply if currently living in Melbourne. Another good reason to study here.

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Wouldn’t be great to see your artwork moving around the city?
Applications close Tuesday 12th of June at midday and the selected applicants will be announced in July.

Head here to get all the details.

Good luck!

Pictures and information based on creative.vic.gov.au and www.festival.melbourne

Green spots for you in Melbourne

The article is written by Sam Burrell

Living in Melbourne, there are so many exciting things to see and do. What about the International Comedy Festival last week or Flight Facilities on Tuesday! Between going out and all other life responsibilities, like taking Dexter for a walk, there calls time for realigning. And I don’t just mean your back from all the time you spend in the chair. Getting out in the sunshine, or under the clouds where it’s not too hot, there are plenty of places to do this, especially in the city. The gardens in and around Melbourne are a great place to find some realignment of the mind and body. Let me take you on a tour to some of these green spots.

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Royal Park Parkville
The biggest of them all, and right near University of Melbourne and Monash Universities Parkville campus, Royal Park has it all in the way of outdoor activities and open space. You may find some clarity in the open spaces or, take part in 9 holes of golf, or watch some baseball, cricket, netball, hockey, football (Aussie rules), or just take it easy walking and resting. If that isn’t enough you’ll be right near the Melbourne Zoo!
Transport: Trams 19,57,58,59

Parliament Gardens Reserve, Treasury Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens
Spring Street / Wellington Parade
These three greenbelts are a collective of greenness on the northeast side of the central business district. If you go to Parliament station you’ll be within a minute’s stroll. In such a small area you’ll find a great array of places to relax. Whether you enjoy sitting under Elm trees in Fitzroy gardens, relaxing at the pond of the John F. Kennedy memorial in Treasury Gardens, or listening to the cascading water at Coles Fountain in Parliament Gardens Reserve. A visit to the Conservatory, nestled in the Fitzroy Gardens, will provide much colour to your day.
Transport: Trams 86,96 / walk from Parliament Railway Station

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Carlton Gardens
Nicholson Street / Rathdowne Street
This World Heritage-listed place of peace in the city is disputably Melbourne’s most beautiful Garden. That may be contested by Royal Botanic Gardens; see that mentioned below. The deciduous trees are gleaming with colour this time of year. Not to mention, the fountains, flower beds, and two ornamental lakes. Here, the Moreton Bay Fig trees were once a gathering spot for aboriginal people. Look for the rows of trees planted in honour of the Dalai Lama.
Transport: Trams 86,96 / Bus 250,251

Victoria Green (Docklands Community Gardens)
Import Lane, Docklands
This urban garden is a community focused project. It’s a place where peace is found by being around people and the environment. The citrus trees and herbs, and a veggie patch provide for Docklands residents and all who make the journey to this unique green space.
Transport: Trams 11,35,48,70,75

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Royal Botanic Gardens
Alexandra Avenue / Anderson Street
This is a garden of flora diversity. Upon entering this temple of green you will be transported to a paradise. This is a busy environment at times as it is a popular tourist location. There are so many areas to the gardens to explore you will eventually find a spot to rest your mind and body. Enjoy the peace of mind.
Transport: Trams 3/3a,5,6,16,64,67,72 / Bus 216,219,220,605

There are many more green spots around Melbourne to explore and find your own space for some well earned time out. Breathe Melbourne in, and get back to nature.

48 hours in: Kangaroo Island

The article is written by Taryn Feldmann

Need a getaway from city life – Kangaroo Island, located, 112 km southwest of Adelaide, is the perfect destination. It has beautiful scenery, many exciting activities and iconic Australia wildlife that other places won’t be able to offer.

Go hiking, take historic tours, enjoy coastal activities, and Australia’s iconic wildlife. With so much to do you certainly won’t be bored.

Getting there

There are two options – flight or by ferry. The flight is only 30 minutes from Adelaide, South Australia airport and the ferry is 45 minutes along. You can catch the ferry in Adelaide or Goolwa to Cape Jervis. Or check this link for useful information.

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Things to do

Australia’s wildlife

Love animals? These two tours will be perfect for you – Seal bay and Kangaroo Island hire a guide and nocturnal tours, Kingscote.

Seal Bay

This is an unforgettable must do experience. The tour will lead you into their colony on the beach. It gives you a chance to witness them in their natural habitat. Many Instagram worthy memories of the seals and selfies of you and one in the background. Click for more useful info here.

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Kangaroo Island hire a guide and nocturnal tours, Kingscote

Want a fun wild adventure? This tour is for you. It offers a four-wheel drive. There are a few options but for a better experience, the Flinders chase 4wd tour is the way to go.

It’s a tour where you’ll be able to see Kangaroo’s islands unique rock – Admiral Arch, fur seals, echidna, Koala’s, and Kangaroo’s.

This action-packed tour will leave you breathless and with many worth Instagram pictures.

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Coastal activities

Love the sea? These two tours will satisfy your adventure. They are a part of the Kangaroo Island ocean safari and they offer a 2-hour swim with dolphins/seals and coastal snorkelling.

You’ll be able to experience wild dolphins and seals up close and witness coastal sea life whilst snorkelling. This will be a once in a lifetime so be sure not to miss out.

Want to stay on the boat, the 75-minute ocean safari will perfect. Enjoy the scenery of the ancient coastline and the wildlife. Some animals you’ll be seeing: dolphins, seals, and whales if you’re lucky, as you’ll only be able to see them in season.

No matter what you fancy, these tours will leave you talking about it for days.

Historic tours

Want to learn more about Kangaroo Island’s history, this tour will be ideal – Cape Borda Lightstation Flinders Chase National Park

Learn about travelling with sails in an early era and how light keepers lived. It has a lighthouse, light keeper’s cottages, and a maritime museum.

You can personally read diary entries from early light house keepers and look around at Kangaroo island’s amazing history.

Want an even better experience, stay overnight in one of the cottages.

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Hiking

Love walking? Kangaroo Island offers a wide range of hiking trails for beginners and more experienced.

Want nice scenery and wildlife, the flinders chase national park is the location. There’s several walking trails, take a slow stroll and enjoy the iconic granite boulders, Remarkable Rocks, the Admirals Arch, beaches, wildlife and wilderness.

5 things You Need to Know About Switching from a Work and Holiday Visa to a Student Visa in Australia 

One or two years not long enough for you in Australia? No worries! Here’s all you need to know if you want to study in the land down under.

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1. Is it better to apply onshore or offshore? 

Long story short: Onshore if you can, although the application might be a bit more expensive.

At the moment, a standard single Student Visa application fee is $560 plus a credit card surcharge (that’s the fee that the Immigration charges, Study Anywhere won’t charge you anything extra). But, if this isn’t the first time you’ve applied, you will also be charged $700 on top of that by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Typically, if you are switching from the second year of Work and Holidays, you will pay $560 + $700 + credit card surcharge.

But before you book that flight to Bali or New Zealand to apply from there, consider this: Most of our Work and Holiday clients still prefer to apply for a Student Visa onshore. Why?

Bridging Visa is your friend – When Student Visa is lodged onshore, the applicant typically receives a Bridging Visa A almost instantly. This allows them to not only stay in Australia but with the same conditions as their current Visa. Essentially, until you hear from the Immigration regarding your Student Visa application, you can work under the same conditions as you have on your Work and Holiday Visa. How neat is that!
Last minute lodgment is possible – if you are running out of time and your Work and Holiday is about to expire in a few days, we probably can still make it.
Waiting offshore could be frustrating – itʼs hard to know how long it will take for the Immigration to let you know about your Student Visa application. And while drinking smoothies in Seminyak might sound like the perfect way to kill some time, your holiday could be longer than you would like it to be while you wait to hear from Immigration. So mindful exercises in Ubud wonʼt be helping that much if your bank account is getting slimmer every day.
If something goes really wrong – should your onshore student visa get refused you have the option to appeal this decision with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). When you are applying offshore, you donʼt have this option.

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2. Not everyone can apply onshore

 If youʼd like to apply onshore, you need to check your current Visa conditions. Just find your current Visa in your e-mail, and check if you have or don’t have ‘No further stayʼ listed among your Visa conditions.

If not – happy days – and you can apply onshore. If yes, book that flight to Thailand or back home and surprise your parents. Our registered migration agent can lodge your Student Visa application from anywhere.

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3. Your course must start no longer than 8 weeks after your Work and Holiday Visa is about to expire

If you have made a firm decision and would like to apply for your Student Visa onshore, you can get into the course selection. Finding and enrolling in a course is pretty easy with the Study Anywhere platform and you can always send us a message if you have any specific requirements.

There is just one thing to keep in mind: make sure your course will start no longer than 8 weeks after your current Visa is about to expire.

Before you start searching for courses that commence exactly 8 weeks after your current Work and Holiday Visa expires, consider this: In the case your onshore application for a Student Visa gets approved really quickly (which doesnʼt happen very often) and your course has not commenced yet, you are not allowed work at all because the work permit on a Student Visa only starts when your course has started.

Not a situation you would like to be in, right?

Applying for a course that starts within 4 weeks after your Work and Holiday Visa expires, is usually the best option.

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4. How expensive it really is to study in Australia?

 Long story short: It can be really expensive but it doesn’t have to be.

Majority of our Work and Holiday clients who are applying for a Student Visa pick a course from a sector that is called Vocational Education and Training (VET) – Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas…

These courses are usually much more affordable than universities and much more flexible with the attendance. You can find your ideal course via Study Anywhere, see the reviews and apply to get the free Visa assistance by the migration lawyer.

All the courses listed on the page are part of CRICOS – which is a must for a Student Visa application.

The most popular courses for people switching from Work and Holiday Visa are Leadership and Management, Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Travel and Tourism, Event Management, and Early Childhood Education and Care (eligible for a Graduate visa).

Some of these courses only cost around $1,350 every three months and would allow you to study and to apply for a Student Visa for up to 4 years.

The minimum upfront payment for a course would be somewhere around $1,550 ($1,350 + $200 enrolment fee).

Then you just need to take in account that you will need an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to be able to apply for a Student Visa in Australia which costs around $500 for a 1-year policy.

Only some applicants from Sweden, Belgium and Norway donʼt need to get an OSHC to be able to apply for a Student Visa. Feel free to send us a message for a free quote so you can see the full breakdown of costs you need to expect when transitioning from the Work and Holiday to a Student Visa.

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5. Myth busted – ‘You can only work 20 hours per week on a Student Visaʼ

Long story short: There is a work limitation, but in some cases, you can work more.

This is where people often get it wrong. Australian Student Visa will let you work up to 40 hours fortnightly (e.g. you can work 20 hours one week and 20 hours the next week) when your course is on. What people often forget though, is that during the holidays you can work unlimited hours, which is when students usually try to save up some money. Most of the VET courses have up to 16 weeks of holidays per year to give students the opportunity to work and travel.

Please note: This article is an observation of questions that our Work and Holiday applicants usually have and answers our migration lawyer gives them. Feel free to send us a message or an e-mail (hello@studyanywhere.com.au) if youʼd like to get a migration law advice from a registered migration agent.

PICKING THE PERFECT PHONE PROVIDER

This article is written by Alanna Tomazin

While studying abroad you probably want to know who the best phone operator is to go with so you can keep contact with your family and friends back home as well as get the greatest deal on data, international calls, and the best mobile service. So we’ve come up with a few phone providers and tips to make your decision just that little bit easier.

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Phone Tips

While studying and living here in Australia it is best to purchase a SIM card or an Australian mobile number when you arrive here, as using your home phone number can actually be quite costly.

There are two types of mobile phone accounts you can choose from:

Pre-paid:

A pre-paid service gives you heaps of flexibility because you can control how much you spend and can stop using the service anytime. You simply top up with credit as needed which can be purchased at service stations, shops and even over the phone and online. You can purchase pre-paid SIM cards in many shops and supermarkets as well as the mobile phone providers listed below.

Contract:

If you’re going to be studying and living here in Australia for a long period of time then a contract might work out cheaper for you. There are numerous mobile phone operators such as the ones listed below which offer phone plans with a fixed price per month for a certain number of calls, texts, and data.

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Telstra

Staying in touch with loved ones and friends is the most important thing, no matter where either of you is. Telstra is Australia’s largest mobile network and they have some amazing international packs on offer allowing you to make calls as often and as long as you like.

Telstra also offers the best service even when you’re in the most rural and remote areas, they will have you covered. It’s also the best in case of an emergency.

To check out what coverage and data speeds are available in your area head online to Telstra.

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Optus

If you’re calling overseas a lot in Australia then an Optus International Minute Pack is what you need! An International Minute Pack is an easy and inexpensive way to save on calls to mobiles and fixed lines in 32 countries while you’re here in Australia.

For more information head over to Optus online on how to create an account and start making those phone calls!

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Vodafone

Vodafone offers easy and affordable calls from Australia either on a plan or pre-paid.

If you’re after a plan with no lock-in contracts check out more information here and if you want something where you recharge on the go then a pre-paid Vodafone gives you a 35-day expiry on selected Data and Talk Combo Packs and recharges. This is a cheap and effective way to go.

Tip: Data combos have heaps of data, and Talk Combos give you 1000 standard international minutes from Australia to either 15 or 25 selected destinations. How good is that!

Virgin Mobile

Virgin mobile includes standard international calls as part of all of their post-paid plans. You can check out their call rates here.

One of the best things about Virgin Mobile is that they offer International SMS. Sending a text to anywhere overseas from Australia should not cost much more than sending one to your neighbour!

Tip: You can find more info on how to set up mobile plans or how to use pre-paid at Virgin Mobile.

Pros and Cons Of Living With Roommates

The article is written by Loren Howarth

As you take the leap from home to come and study in Australia, finding a place of your own is at the top of the agenda. Unfortunately due to the rising cost of housing and subsequently rent, living by yourself in a major city is quite unlikely. For the time being, you can live with roommates and make the most of this incredibly fun and youthful experience. But this can have some downsides.

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Cleaning

Pro: When you live with other people, it isn’t just up to you to clean up. Instead, the role is often divided by a roster system, or everyone just helps out cleaning common places such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living rooms, leaving everyone to maintain their own bedrooms. This creates a decreased workload, and you won’t be stuck cleaning an entire apartment or townhouse by yourself.

Con: Sometimes, no one wants to clean. Although you will endeavor to help each other out, it’s likely that there will be instances of people blatantly ignoring overfull garbage bins and pans which have been left soaking in the sink for days. Soon the mess will increase, and then it will be down to who gives in first to be stuck cleaning.

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Having other people live with you

Pros: When you live with other people, you can gain true best friends. These will be people you look forward to hanging out with at the end of a long day, and simply knowing that there will be someone you can vent to or simply chat to is reassuring in itself. You will also be able to meet more new people through your roommates.

Cons: Sometimes though, you can come across people you don’t get along with. This doesn’t necessarily mean you will become enemies, but it just means you won’t become best friends either. It could be someone who tells you off for leaving your music on or even someone who simply transforms the entire apartment into their bedroom. If you come across someone like this, try your best to talk to them about how it makes you feel and if that doesn’t solve anything, maybe it’s time to find somewhere new.

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Cost

Pros: Generally speaking, you’ll most likely pay less. By living with roommates and splitting up the rent, as well as other bills such as internet and electricity, this will be sure to leave some spare cash in your pocket. So if you can tolerate living with other people and want more money to spend on adventures and activities while living in Australia, it makes more financial sense to share housing.

Cons: Literally everything is shared. Nothing you buy is just yours anymore when you choose to live with other people. If you go grocery shopping for yourself and stock up the fridge, chances are everyone else will also consume some of the food you have purchased. Or even a luxury shampoo and conditioner that you splurge on, will most likely be used by your roommates who have run out of their own.

48 HOURS IN: MELBOURNE

The article is written by Candice Locklee

If you’ve just settled into your new life in this country and are looking forward to immersing yourself in everything Australiana, we imagine that you’ve got a pretty long list of places you want to visit while you’re here. Sometimes, that means scooting off on a plane to another city for a quick two day trip in your spare time so that you can experience as many awe-inspiring sights as you can squeeze in and truly make the most of your time here.

With so much to see and so little time to see it, we’d love to introduce you to our new travel blog series “48 hours in…” in which we take you round to all of the major sites and cities in Australia and give you a quick guide of the best things to see and do in each place.

First stop – Melbourne.

Often voted the #1 most livable city in the world, Melbourne is a stunning mecca of art and culture, hidden laneways, shopping extravaganzas and a thriving café and coffee culture that will have you coming back in no time.

Here are our top picks on how to make the most out of a quick visit:

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THE FOOD

Melbourne is a foodie’s dream. Whether you’re after the best souvlaki you’ve ever had, beer ice-cream or the perfect pho, Melbourne has you covered.

From Michelin star fine dining to grungy bars with live music and hipster cafés hidden down laneways, you can find any cuisine to satisfy your taste buds. TripAdvisor is a great place to discover popular local haunts that offer anything from old-fashioned comfort food to the super weird and experimental.

Also, don’t forget to check out Melbourne’s markets. There are a number of huge food markets around the city where you can find delicious homemade meals and fresh, organic produce for low prices. Queen Victoria Market on Elizabeth St and South Melbourne Market on the corner of Coventry and Cecil St are two of the best.

DIRECTIONS

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET:

Queen Victoria Market is located in the city centre and is within the free tram zone. It is bordered by Peel, Franklin, Victoria and Elizabeth Streets. To get here by tram, take the number 19, 57 or 59 to stop 7 on Elizabeth St. You can also take tram 59 to Peel St and enter through an alternative entrance.

SOUTH MELBOURNE MARKET:

From the CBD, take tram 96 on Bourke St and get off at South Melbourne stop 127. Alternatively, you can catch tram 12 from Collins St and get off at the corner of York St (stop 127).

Check http://ptv.vic.gov.au/ for other methods of transport.

THE FASHION

While you can no doubt find any outfit in Melbourne to suit your style, we suggest bypassing the big department stores and seeking out the independent stores that make Melbourne fashion so special.

It’s no secret that Melbournians love their vintage, from fashion and accessories to vinyl and video games. Visit one of the many vintage clothing stores in the city and grab something at a bargain price to stand out in the crowd. RetroStar in the CBD and Shag are a must.

Head to the famous Sydney Rd in Brunswick where you’ll find an endless run of fashion stores selling both retro and new outfits, accessories, handmade items and everything in between. Chapel St is also an iconic shopping strip that stretches through South Yarra, Prahran and Windsor. There isn’t anything you can’t find here – from the wildly eccentric to the impossibly chic, you can find it on Chapel St.

DIRECTIONS

RETRO STAR:

RetroStar is located on the first floor of the Nicholas building on Swanston St and corner of Flinders Lane in the CBD.

SHAG:

Shag is located in the Centreway Arcade, between Flinders Lane and Collins St in the CBD. You can also head to Chapel St to visit their second store.

SYDNEY RD:

From the CBD, take tram 19 from Elizabeth St in the CBD to Sydney Rd, Brunswick.

CHAPEL ST:

Take tram 8 to Chapel St leaving from Swanston St in the CBD.

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Melbourne loves its art and culture and there’s always plenty happening to keep you busy no matter what day of the week you land here.

If you’re looking for an alternative taste of the Melbourne art scene, street art is a celebrated culture here and you can find it all over the city. Like Alice down the rabbit hole, lose yourself down cobblestone laneways that roar to life with colour and creativity all year round. Hosier Lane is the most popular spot for graffiti artists to show off their talents with its walls covered daily with spectacular art that is constantly being updated.

Some of the best indie bands in the country are coming out of Melbourne’s thriving underground music scene. Catch a live band at one of the many venues around the city – the Corner Hotel, Cherry Bar and Prince Bandroom are a few of the best.

DIRECTIONS

HOSIER LANE:

Hosier Lane is in the heart of the CBD. It’s situated between Flinders St and Collins St and you can get there with a short 2-minute walk down from Flinders St Station and Federation Square (head in the direction of ACMI and Hosier Lane will be on the left side).

CORNER HOTEL:

The Corner Hotel is located on the corner of Swan St and Stewart St, only 1.5km from the CBD. You can take tram 70 from Flinders St to Wattle Park and get off at stop 9. Alternatively, the train from Flinders Station will take you to Richmond Station (the first stop out of the city). From here, it is only a short 50m walk to the Corner hotel.

CHERRY BAR:

Cherry bar is located on the famous AC/DC Lane in the centre of the Melbourne CBD. It is off Flinders Lane and between Russell and Exhibition Street.

PRINCE BANDROOM:

Prince Bandroom is located on the corner of Acland and Fitzroy St in St Kilda. Trams 16, 96 and 12 to St Kilda can get you there.

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SIGHTS TO SEE

If you’ve still got time to spare, the picturesque parks and gardens in Melbourne are a great place to unwind after a hard day’s work of sight-seeing. The Royal Botanic Gardens are a must for those looking to escape the crowds. Fitzroy Gardens is another favourite – sprawled across 64 acres, the gardens are stunning and there’s plenty of relaxing strolls down tree-lined pathways to be had amongst the native Australian flora and fauna.

DIRECTIONS

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS:

The Royal Botanic Gardens is located on Birdwood Ave approximately 2km from the city centre. For $10, you can get a ride on the Melbourne Visitor Shuttle that runs every 30min from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily and will take you around to over 15 stops around the city, including stop 13 – Melbourne Gardens/ Shrine of Remembrance. Alternatively, trams 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67 or 72 from Flinders Street to stop 13 will also get you there.

FITZROY GARDENS:

Fitzroy Gardens are located in East Melbourne, between Wellington Parade, Lansdowne St, Albert St and Clarendon St. Trams 48 and 75 run between Wellington Parade and Flinders St in the CBD to get you there quickly and easily.

For more info about being an international student living in Australia, be sure to check out the official web page at www.studyanywhere.com.au

How To Find The Perfect Place To Stay

The article is written by Loren Howarth

You’re coming to Australia to study, and life couldn’t seem any more exciting! But there is one thing you do need to work out before you can truly settle into this new adventure, and that’s accommodation. There are several ways to find a place to stay, from living in an apartment for a week or living in a villa for the entirety of your learning. Here are some ways which you can find the perfect place to call home while living abroad.

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Airbnb

Founded in 2008, Airbnb is a trustworthy community marketplace where you can find short and long term accommodation. You can choose from a range of options, from apartments to townhouses, or even simply a room in someone else’s home. And there’s no reason to feel unsafe either, Airbnb verifies identification with detailed profiles and reviews also available to put your mind at ease. You can also message a potential host to learn more about them, the location of the accommodation, or ask about living in Australia generally. Using Airbnb is a great starting point for finding a place to stay, as you can move around to find an area you love and feel comfortable in.

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Gumtree

Once you’ve found your feet, it will be easier to search for other accommodation. Gumtree is a great way to find flat share and house share living, and it is a great way to meet new people as well. A lot of the rooms on offer are also furnished, meaning you won’t have to worry about buying a bed for the duration of your stay, if you decide to live there for the long run. Even better, the accommodation is generally reasonably priced, with some starting from as low as $160 per week, with bills also included in the pricing.

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Flatmates

Known as Australia’s biggest share accommodation site, there are plenty of different places to choose from. Similar to Airbnb, Flatmates connects user to user. The best way to secure accommodation is to create a profile of yourself, including a picture, as this will ensure people respond to your queries, as you are identified as a real person and not someone who isn’t serious about renting. Also, try not to have your hopes set on the one property, instead, reach out to several people in case it falls through. This website also allows you to create a listing for yourself, and advertise that you’re looking for a place to stay. If you are successfully chosen to reside somewhere, don’t be shy to ask for an inspection or to meet your potential flatmates, you want to be comfortable where you are living.

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Facebook groups

if you are looking for a place to stay and you are quite in hurry, definitely ask in the different Facebook groups. Usually, each living area or group of people has its own group on Facebook, where people share the news, sell the stuff over it and the more often they either look for or offer a room to share. Just type an area in the Facebook search and it should give you some options for the local groups. For example, have you heard about the group International students in Sydney? That group has over 11k of members, so it’s worth to join that type of groups on Facebook.

Study Anywhere_ask around

Ask around

If you find yourself struggling for accommodation, or are just unsure about different locations, don’t be afraid to ask some classmates or even teachers about living possibilities. Someone will be sure to give you advice, and chances are, somebody will know where you could stay and get you living in a more permanent spot instead of somewhere temporary.

Top 5 things to do in Melbourne

The article is written by Candice Tan

If you’ve lived in Sydney or Melbourne for even a short amount of time, you would probably have heard about the small rivalry between the two most populous cities in Australia. In this spirit of this light-hearted competition and our earlier article about Sydney’s hot spots, here is our essential ‘To do’ list in Melbourne:

Study Anywhere_Have a coffee in the laneways

Have a coffee in the laneways!

Melbourne may not have famous icons such as the Sydney Opera House or Sydney Harbour Bridge, but it does make a great cup of coffee. Take a wander down the many vibrant laneways and admire the colourful street art as you sit and sip on an expertly-made espresso or flat white, or be like a local and grab your takeaway cup as you explore what the city has to offer.

Study Anywhere_culture

Soak up some culture!

Melbourne has long been considered the Australian city with the most European-feel and cultural activities. From the majestic Princess Theatre to the iconic Comedy Theatre, you will have plenty of choices to spend a night out in Melbourne. Or, just walk down Swanston Street or Bourke Street and enjoy the world-class performances by an assortment of talented buskers.

Study Anywhere_Go to a festival

Go to a festival!

It is almost impossible to be in Melbourne and not encounter a festival happening around the city. From the world famous Melbourne Comedy Festival and Melbourne Fringe to smaller festivals celebrating the multicultural nature of the world’s most liveable city, weekends in Melbourne are never dull. There will always be something to see and do (and probably eat!) at Federation Square or along the Yarra River.

Study Anywhere_Hop on a tram

Hop on a tram!

Melbourne has the largest tram network in the world and on top of that, riding on the trams within the city is free – yes, free! This is something you won’t find in pricey Sydney. There’s even a tram catering to visitors, with a guided tour of the main attractions around the city. The extensive tram system and simple grid-shaped layout of the city also make it one of the easiest cities to navigate.

Study Anywhere_Get out of the CBD

Get out of the CBD!

While the city will keep you more than occupied, if you drive just a couple of hours outside of the city, you’ll encounter some of the most breathtaking places in Australia. From the Great Ocean Road’s spectacular 12 Apostles to the magnificent Wilson’s Promontory, you’ll be amazed at what the Victorian coasts have to offer. Or, be a like a local and take the opportunity to go on a hike or walk when the sun’s out at popular Dandenong Ranges or Macedon Ranges.
So which city is better? Well, it’s a tough one. But one thing’s for sure – both cities have great things to offer and anyone visiting Australia should get a taste of both if they can!

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