I'm currently looking around at graduate schools in an attempt to forestall my grand entrance into "real" society (you should thank me), and I must admit, I'm highly interested in going to Australia. I know we have some Australian members here, so perhaps they (or anyone who's been there) could warn me if I'm being naive.
I'd be going there for perhaps a year of university (probably studying computer science). What's the academic life like in Australia? Are students reasonably serious, or is university just an excuse to get drunk and depraved as it is in the US? In particular, I'm looking at ANU, U of Melbourne, and Adelaide (they have a nice website ). Any other recommendations?
And what of the culture/people? I'm Canadian, and it's been suggested that Australia is about as Canadian as any country in the world. If this is the case, great, I should get along fine. And what about the cities - Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide? Nice?
I must admit I'm not certain if I'm crazy to be considering this excursion. To me, Australia seems to occupy the same reality as Canada, only everything has been shuffled around somewhat. People have an accent, the language is slightly different, animals are strange, different landscape, etc. It's not the paradigm shift that going to US or Europe would be.
Any other thoughts?
Thanks, any input is appreciated.
I'd be going there for perhaps a year of university (probably studying computer science). What's the academic life like in Australia? Are students reasonably serious, or is university just an excuse to get drunk and depraved as it is in the US? In particular, I'm looking at ANU, U of Melbourne, and Adelaide (they have a nice website ). Any other recommendations?
And what of the culture/people? I'm Canadian, and it's been suggested that Australia is about as Canadian as any country in the world. If this is the case, great, I should get along fine. And what about the cities - Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide? Nice?
I must admit I'm not certain if I'm crazy to be considering this excursion. To me, Australia seems to occupy the same reality as Canada, only everything has been shuffled around somewhat. People have an accent, the language is slightly different, animals are strange, different landscape, etc. It's not the paradigm shift that going to US or Europe would be.
Any other thoughts?
Thanks, any input is appreciated.