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Silencing the Student Exchange Skeptics

"I want to study overseas" is a mantra constantly repeated by keen students worldwide, and no matter which university you go to, you will inevitably make friends with someone planning international study or someone's friend who is planning international study. It is human nature to be curious about global travel, and such is the nature of youth to be seek an adventure in a foreign land. Students also see overseas travel as an auspicious opportunity to seek achievement and acclaim for their premature Curriculum Vitae's - and it is perfectly understandable too, given the highly competitive nature of job hunting as well as the growing supposition of employers expecting candidates to have relevant degrees or some sort of tertiary qualifications in their desired job field.

So aside from the obvious career building accreditations, what are some of the long term benefits of international study? They say that student exchange is an investment for life. Here are some of the things you might take with you out of your study time overseas:

• Learn a foreign language
• Discover job fields and careers you didn't know existed
• Grow in self-confidence, independence, maturity and realize your hidden potential
• Make new friends and increase your worldwide network of peers
• See the world through your very own eyes - you will experience, and not just learn about it
• Take with you a sense of satisfaction upon completing challenges in another country
• Develop a deeper appreciation for world cultures

Traveling overseas may awaken that hidden passion you were oblivious to, and open up a desired career path. A trend that is rife amongst high-school graduates is having no clear sense of direction, and this is perfectly understandable. In Australia for example, the average student graduated from high school at eighteen years of age. The transition from the security blanket and routine of school life is a shock for many young students, and the pressure with-standing to choose a career or university is something many adolescents struggle to deal with.

For most students, an effective way to wean themselves out of the familiar comforts of high school life is the transition into university study, which allows students to warm into the reality of the work force. One thing that compliments this transition and of course breaks it up is international study.

If you’re an international business student looking to study abroad in Australia, the International College of Management Sydney (ICMS) is an esteemed university accredited Sydney Business College located on the northern beaches of the city of Sydney.  ICMS is home to students from over 60 international locations – so everyone is welcome! Follow one of the links to the ICMS site for more information.

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Posted 6 days ago by Mark 

Traveling Noosa, Australia: White Sands & Lush Hinterlands

When you think of Australian beaches, you think of a destination that visually epitomizes pearl white sands and azure blue sea-sides, as well of the stereotypes that reside within it – surfers, bikini-clad women and golden brown tans. But do these places really exist?
Welcome to Noosa, Queensland. This place is located about 130 kilometres north of Brisbane, Australia in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland. When it comes to the Australia beach culture, this place encapsulates everything you once imagined.

A history of Noosa

The shire of Noosa was founded in 1910, after long being used as a settlement driven by timber logging it began to grow into a township after a port was established at Tewantin, just north of Noosa. The town of Noosa was originally a fishing village, with an initial population of approximately 2000 however it was not until the mid 20th century that it began to be recognised for its natural beauty, subsequently developing into a popular tourist destination.

Before European settlement, the Noosa region was home to several Aboriginal enclaves – with the dominant tribes including the Undumbi tribe to the South, the Dulingbara to the North, and the Gabbi Gabbi to the West. To this day, Noosa still displays remnants of a strong ancient cultural presence, with markings, carvings and burial sites prevalent throughout conservation areas. The origin of the name ‘Noosa’ is derived from the local Aboriginal word ‘Noothera’ (or ‘Gnuthuru’ in the Kabi Kabi language), it’s ubiquitous translation meaning ‘shadow’ or ‘shady place’. Aside from its pristine beaches, Noosa is renowned for being home to a dense amount of uniquely Australian flora and fauna within the natural beauty of the hinterland.

Noosa’s Natural marvels..

Upon visiting Noosa, you will encounter scenes of lush forests, tropical plantations and white beaches. If you’re looking to explore Noosa’s natural environment, it is suggested that you take a wander through the gorgeous green surrounds of the Noosa Hinterland.

The ranges in the Noosa hinterland were created by volcanic eruptions 25 to 30 million years ago, and changing sea levels shaped the coastal waterways and beaches you see today. If you take a look at the Noosa hinterland from the air, you will see a patchwork of tranquil lakes, lush forests and pastures, guarded by the striking volcanic formations that offer stunning mountain top vistas of the hinterland and the coast beyond.

If you want to soak in the entire atmosphere of the hinterland, look for the pristine Lake Weyba located behind the ocean dunes and drift along the lake and everglade style creeks by kayak and gaze at the water reflecting amazing mirror images of the tree canopy and sky above. For those looking for even more adventure, why not explore the mysterious volcanic formation of Mt Tinbeerwah, and take in the view from atop it’s treacherous rock faces? Abseiling and rock climbing activities run all year round. As for the golfers out there… Have you ever hit 9 holes with a mob of kangaroos? These fury critters will make you feel more welcome as you putt for par on the Noosa golf course.

Noosa, Queensland is the essence of both Australia’s beach culture and natural beauty… If you’re looking to travel abroad, this is definitely one place you do not want to miss. For more information on Noosa visit the official Tourism Noosa website for details.

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Posted 9 days ago by Mark 

Perth, Australia: An International Traveler's Guide

A charmed isolation

BCD Corporate Travel presents to you the most isolated capital city on Earth:

Perth lies upon a similar latitude to Sydney but over 3,400 kilometers (2,110 miles) to the west – as far away as London is from Beirut.

The capital of the state of Western Australia, located in the southwest corner of the Australian continent, Perth sits on the banks of the Swan River, and is probably the most outdoorsy of all Aussie cities. The climate, Perth's brilliant setting along both the Swan River and the Indian Ocean, and the abundance of parkland mean that it's almost obligatory to get outside and enjoy the sun and fresh air. One of Perth's great advantages is that virtually the entire river and seafront is public land; everyone can stroll, cycle, or picnic along the waterfront – and they do.

With four universities, a modern, well-designed city center and a culturally diverse population, Perth manages to project a cosmopolitan atmosphere while at the same time being disarmingly friendly and laid-back. The city is home to 1.47 million people. Nearly 200,000 of them are emigrants from the U.K., but there is also a considerable number of New Zealanders, Italians, Malaysians, Indians and South Africans.

Commercially, Perth provides the distribution point for West Australia’s wheat industry, the growing wine industry and the state’s vast mining operations.

Go for a wander, if not a walkabout

Perth seems to have been designed with people in mind. Its attractive malls and elevated walkways make it pleasant to navigate on foot.

Kings Park & Botanic Garden
Covering 990 acres, the park, a true wilderness in the heart of the city, is crisscrossed by walking trails and bicycle paths (bikes are available for hire). Particularly popular is the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, which opened in 2003 and allows visitors to walk among the park's treetops while enjoying spectacular views of the city skyline and the park. The walkway extends 620m (678 yards) along a combination of on-ground pathways and a spectacular elevated 52m (170ft) glass and steel arched bridge suspended among a canopy of tall eucalypts.
Kings Park Road, West Perth
www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kingspark
Free admission

Perth Zoo
Perth's small but popular and conveniently located zoo boasts an Australian Bushwalk (where visitors can observe native animals in their natural habitat), Rainforest Retreat and African Savannah among other interesting exhibits. Visitors should keep an eye out for the numbat, the marsupial that is the symbol of Western Australia. Daily keeper talks allow the public to get close to the animals.
20 Labouchere Road, South Perth
www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au
Admission charge

Art Gallery of Western Australia
Perth's major gallery has a permanent collection of Australian and international art and one of the finest collections of Aboriginal art in the world. The gallery is also the venue for major national and international touring exhibitions. Free guided tours are held every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – bookings are required.
Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Northbridge
www.artgallery.wa.gov.au
Free admission; charge for special exhibitions

His Majesty's Theatre
Arguably the most beautiful theatre in Australia, His Majesty's still stands in all its Edwardian glory, including ornate gilded foyers, a magnificent marble staircase and a domed, three-tiered auditorium. A venue for plays, opera, musicals and dance, the theatre is also home to the Museum of Performing Arts. Guided tours available. 
www.hismajestystheatre.com.au

Perth Mint
A well preserved remnant of the gold rush era, Perth's Mint, which is over 100 years old, offers an entertaining public tour. Visitors can see A$225,000 pure gold bars being poured and can also mint their own personalized medallions and witness the production of gold, silver and platinum coins.
www.perthmint.com.au

When the night has come

From Wednesday to Saturday, there is no shortage of night-time hotspots to visit in Perth. The larger dance clubs are concentrated in Northbridge, Subiaco and Fremantle and are friendlier epicenters for the over-30 crowd. Perth is home to a healthy indie rock scene and the 'craic' is good at several Irish pubs.

Some venues demand a smart standard of dress and some have a cover charge. Free entertainment weekly XPress (www.xpressmag.com.au) is the best resource when planning a night on the town, while Teknoscape (www.teknoscape.com.au) is a useful clubbing guide.

Lounge bars have taken off in Perth, with hip venues such as Base, corner of Lake and James Street. Must Winebar, 519 Beaufort Street, offers a cool atmosphere, a comprehensive wine list, slick cocktails and smooth grooves. Luxe Bar, 446 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley, is a cool, happening and stylish contender for the title of best bar in Perth.

If you’re in the mood for a laugh, you’re in luck – Perth has nurtured some of Australia's finest comedians. The Brass Monkey pub, 209 William Street, Northbridge, boasts handcrafted beers, food, music – and comedy on Wednesday nights. The Lounge Bar at the Hyde Park Hotel, corner of Bulwer Street and Fitzgerald Street, features comedy on Thursday nights. Burswood Casino on Great Eastern Highway hosts international touring acts.

Souvenirs galore

Popular Perth souvenirs include dried wildflowers, Western Australian wine and sheepskin and crocodile leather products. Perth is an ideal place to obtain authentic Aboriginal art – the best commercial showcases are Indigenart, 115 Hay Street, Subiaco, and Creative Native, 32 King Street.

There is an abundance of markets. The Subiaco Pavilion Markets, 2 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, are open Thursday to Sunday, selling jewelry, pottery, giftware, clothes and art. Galleria Art & Craft Markets, Art Gallery and Museum Concourse, Perth are European-style markets, open Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

Feeling a bit peckish?

Given Perth’s geographic isolation, Visitors may be somewhat surprised by the wide range of sophisticated restaurants available to them.

Fraser's
The dining room looks past towering lemon-scented gums to Perth's panoply of skyscrapers and the Swan River – and the food lives up to the view. The menu changes daily to focus on fresh produce, with seafood and fish especially prominent. "Fraser's three taste" brings together beef, lobster, and salmon in a great starter, while crisp fried soft shell crabs married with turmeric and pumpkin curry comes as a starter or entrée.Ask for a seat on the terrace.
Fraser Ave. (near the Information Kiosk), Kings Park
08/9481 7100

Jackson’s
Understated contemporary design and ambience only help to emphasize the quality of the food here. Chef Neil Jackson has won a host of awards for his ability to bring out the best in local produce, with some quirky touches based partly on his English background. His degustation menu, called "the dego," offers nine courses, with suggested matching wines.
483 Beaufort St, Highgate
08/9328 1177

Annalakshmi
While the 360-degree views of the Swan River and the city might be romantic, Annalakshmi is actually a curry house run by volunteers. Paying by donation, assorted hippies and others line up for spicy potato-and-pumpkin curries and dahl.
Jetty 4, Barrack St, city center

Thanks for reading - we hope you find our travel tips useful!

If you would like to stay up to date with more of our travel guides, subscribe to the BCD Australia blog.

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Posted 28 days ago by Mark 

Sydney, Australia - Why Is It So Expensive?

According to Mercer Human Resource Consulting and a review published by the Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Australia ranks at a cool number 19 on the world's top 50 most expensive cities to live - and living here myself, I can totally see justification with regards to why Sydney is so expensive to live in....

Feel like a beer? No worries, whether it's a highly prestigious bar you go to or a quiet, run-down pub, you'll be paying on average around $6-$7 for a bottle of beer with a minimum of $4.50 for your average schooner. Fancy dining out for the night? No problem - just make sure you have a couple of 50 dollar notes with you and try to avoid tipping the waiter. When you live here however, you get used to it... That being, not getting value for your money... But if you're traveling to Sydney on the fiscal rations of a backpacker, you might want to be a little more conservative when it comes to the placement of your dollar in the hands of a product or service of little value, especially if you're coming from the likes of Wellington, New Zealand - not only will you be up against the poor exchange rate against the Aussie dollar, but you will also struggle to come to grips with the expenses of living in Sydney with your beloved Wellington ranking at number 105 on the expensive cities list.

So where does this leave you? You desperately want to bask in the sunshine and warmth of Sydney but can't quite seem to muster up the money to meet the demands of a financially vacuous holiday destination.

There is now a solution.

Turtle Passport discount cards offer huge discounts and savings on a myriad number of products and services Sydney-wide. Discounts range from 10-50% off and cover a diverse consortium of goods and services from popular entertainment venues, tourist attractions, bars, restaurants, accommodation, transport, hair and beauty, shopping... You name it, and it's there. Finally someone is offering a solution to get around the expensive costs of living in and exploring the city of Sydney, Australia. For a complete list of participating goods and services, check out the Turtle Passport website.

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Posted 2 months ago by Mark