HUCKLEBERRY Education Service

Attending School
There are many language schools, private language schools, language schools attached to university etc, these schools allow for short or long term study abroad.
Private schools have excellent care for international students and often have staff that speak other languages which is nice for emergency situations or when you find yourself in trouble.
Large schools have various courses for those who want to focus on their study and for those who want to challenge themselves in different areas. Smaller schools have an at-home atmosphere and classmates often socialise outside of school.
English schools attached to universities, speciality schools and TAFE are good for those who want to go onto higher education. Not only will you receive advice from the school about furthering your studies but you will be studying with other students who share the same goal and you will be able to study together. Many foreign students study at Australian speciality schools, universities and in post graduate courses, making them cultural rich. If you are enrolling in these schools you must meet the necessary entry criteria. You must provide your English test results (IELTS, TOEFL etc) and your school results. If you are enrolled in the English school which joins the speciality school or the university you may not have to show your English exam results, this is at the discretion of the school.

Estimate of Course Costs ( Per Year )
Postgraduate (Arts)	From $13000	Undergraduate ( Arts )	From $14000
Postgraduate ( Science )	From $15000	Undergraduate ( Scienc e)	From $19000
Foundation course for Uni	From $15000	Speciality schools	From $5000
Primary, High school	From $7000
English schools	From $250 per week
English schools	Brisbane From $250 per Week Sydney From $300 per Week Melbourne From $300 Per Week

Looking for work
It is difficult to find a job in Australia if you can not speak English well. A lot of students work in restaurants as kitchen hands, and in souvenir stores. It is popular for those on working holiday visas go fruit picking or do farm work.
For those students who do have a higher level of English, there is work at restaurants, hotels and as tour guides, the options widen. Those students with high level English are able to use their experience to get a job with an Australian company.
For those students on a student visa who wish to apply for work, you must apply for Permission to Work, this can be done on the DIMIA website and can only be done after your course has started. If you are granted permission to work you are only allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week, you are allowed to work full time during your holiday period.
For those on a working holiday visa you are able to work for the same employer for up to 6 months. Some visa holidays may have a limit of 3 months inscribed on their visa but at the moment all working holiday visa holders are allowed to work for the same employer for 6 months.

Approximate wages
Restaurants	Brisbane From $14 per hour Sydney From $16 per hour Melbou rne From $16 Per hour
Fruit / Vegetables picking	From $15 par hour

Touring Australia
Australia is a treasure trove of nature including the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayres Rock). There are many world heritage sites in Australia which you are able to visit within a few hours of the cities.
Most students use there weekends to visit nearby beaches and mountains and use their holiday periods to travel. There are many day trips and overnight tours and it is good fun to join a tour with the friends you have made at school. There are also seasonal tours such as whale watching.
For those on working holiday visas it is good to use the services of long distance buses and trains to travel around Australia, finding work as you go, you are able to create your own individual experience of Australia. It is also a good idea to get a scuba diving license, learn surfing and experience the type of things you can only do in Australia.

Examples
Long distance buses	Greyhound, Oz Experience, Premier
Long distance trains	The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Sunlander
Domestic air travel	Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Blue

Safety
Australia is a relatively safe country to study abroad compared to other countries. There is however a lot of thieving and small crimes in cheap backpackers and other places were working holiday makers congregate. It is wise to take basic safety measures especially if you are going out at night such as staying in lit up areas, where many other people are. It is not wise to think that just because Australia is a safe place you can let your guard down, you should always think of your own personal safety.

The Health System
Just because you are a healthy person it does not mean that you will not have to visit a hospital. For those on working holiday visas, you may experience accidents at work or be bitten by insects and have to visit a hospital. Australian medicine may be different to the medicine you are use to in your home country. If there is a particular medicine that you use, it may be a good idea to bring it with you. (Please check with customs first to make sure you are allowed to bring it into Australia.) Australia has a General Practitioner system and if you are planning to be in Australia for a long time it is good to find a doctor soon.
If you need to visit a doctor and you are not good at English some hospitals can arrange an interpreter by appointment. Using an interpreter can be costly so it is good to join overseas health insurance before you leave your home country.

Estimate weekly budget
For one week ( staying with a host family and attending an English school )

Examples
Brisbane	Rent $210 Lunch $35 English Language School $300 Total $540 + spending money
Sydney	Rent $240 Lunch $50 English Language School $350 Total $640 + spending money
Melbourne	Rent $240 Lunch $50 English Language School $350 Total $640 + spending money

For one week ( living in a share house and attending English school )

Examples
Brisbane	Rent $130 Groceries $120 English Language School $300 Total $550 + spending money
Sydney	Rent $200 Groceries $150 English Language School $350 Total $700 + spending money
Melbourne	Rent $200 Groceries $150 English Language School $350 Total $700 + spending money