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Canberra
The Heart of Australia
Neither Melbourne nor Sydney can lay claim
to be the capital of Australia, although they would surely
like to. Canberra, which is commonly referred to as the 'bush
capital' or 'garden capital' by many of the 300,000 inhabitants,
is a city planned from the beginning. Established in 1927,
the city has grown from a large sheep station (farm) to a
modern and culturally diverse city dotted with lakes and surrounded
by the Australian bushland.
The quality of life in Canberra is unquestionable;
a very high standard of living, affordable housing, easy access
to public facilities such as libraries, as well as a traffic
jam-free drive into the city. The quality air allows for an
incredible display of the planetary stars at night, and it
is all these things that seem to attract the international
students who choose Canberra as their base while in Australia.
The five universities in Canberra are home to many international
students, who spend their time both studying and partying!
The main city is only a short distance from the most campuses,
giving access to its cinemas, restaurants and nightclubs.
Entry requirements for a university program are similar to
those of other universities in Australia - most faculties
require a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, but there are
opportunities for international students to improve their
English language skills whilst in Australia.
After class, students can join in on the activities at their
local sports centre, such as a social game of volleyball,
whereas others might take the public bus to one of the many
attractions that can be found in Canberra. The National Gallery
of Australia is one such attraction - getting there involves
a ten-minute ride through the city, across Commonwealth Bridge,
past the Captain Cook Memorial Jet (a fountain in Lake Burley
Griffin), and into the grounds of the National Gallery. Major
exhibitions are held here, attracting many domestic and international
visitors. Alternatively, students could ride their bicycles
to see the sights, as Canberra is well known in Australia
for its network of bicycle paths, with large stretches of
them going through forests. The weather in Canberra also makes
it possible to cycle your way around the city in comfort,
with the annual mean daily temperature at 20 degrees Celsius,
according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
For enthusiasts of the outdoors, Canberra makes a great base.
Each winter, there are organised ski trips for students to
the famous Snowy Mountains. A two and a half hour bus journey
to the snowfields takes the students through some wonderful
countryside, though many end up sleeping their way to the
snow, due to the early start! The coastal towns, offering
whale-watching tours at the end of the year, are popular for
those who reside in Sydney as well. During summer, these towns
swell in size, understandable due to the crystal clear water
and magnificent beaches. Back in Canberra, hiking and horse-riding
are two popular activities for students.
The four seasons of Canberra seem to attract many visitors,
as the Floriade Flower Festival can attest to. During early
spring, the city is transformed into an array of colour demanding
everyone's attention. Most noteworthy is the Australian native
flower exhibition, though a walk in the national Botanical
Gardens in Canberra would also surely please the most discerning
lover of flora. The autumnal colours during the period leading
to winter further showcase the beauty of Canberra.
Adding charm to the region are the native Australian animals
that live in and around the city. The most popular and the
most commonly seen native animal is the kangaroo. Placed along
the main roads leading to the city are signs advertising motorists
to be on the lookout for kangaroos, who sometimes inadvertently
leave the comfortably surroundings of the bushland and are
to be found hopping their way down a major road, increasing
stress levels for drivers while creating excitement for everyone
else!
For whatever reason international students come to Canberra,
all seem to confirm one thing - that Canberra is a beautiful
city, and very conducive to studying.
Author
Anutech Education Centre
The Australian National University
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