Student Stories: Moving across the world to study
Cairns is the favoured international study destination for over 32,000 international students who travel to Queensland from over 34 countries each year. The challenges international students face can be a real barrier to success, so it’s crucial that students receive the right level of support when far from home.
It is no secret that Cairns is punching well above its weight as one of Australia’s premier study destinations. And for many reasons. The tropical city is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and is often referred to as the “most liveable and enterprising regional city.” International students face challenges when studying abroad, and Study Queensland and Study Cairns are committed to ensure students have the best possible experience while studying in our beautiful state of Queensland through a range of extra-curricular and support services such as emotional support through 1800QSTUDY and the Cairns Student Hub.
Study Queensland sat down with international students who chose to move to Queensland to study. Hear first-hand from international students and how they have overcome the challenges of moving across the world to study in Queensland, Australia.
Why is Cairns such a popular destination for international students?
1. Liveability: Cairns is a vibrant and exciting place to live and study, offering a safe, friendly and an affordable lifestyle. With a population of just 150,000 residents, Cairns is small enough to not suffer from traffic congestion or traffic jams. Additionally, the city has a vast network of bicycle paths, making it easy (and free!) to travel around by bike or foot.
2.Cost of living: Part-time employment opportunities combined with lower accommodation and living costs makes Cairns an attractive destination to study for self-funded students. Part-time employment helps to sustain fees and living expenses, and provides an opportunity to interact with other Australians.
3.Social and cultural: Cairns is a multicultural friendly society, not too large, an attractive modern city with a tropical climate; an extensive range of arts and sporting facilities, with good accessibility to local tourist attractions . Download the MyCairns free app to find out about what’s happening in Cairns.
4.Connectivity: The city is in close proximity to Asia and the Pacific, and well-connected with flights from Cairns International Airport to the city hubs of Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, Port Moresby, Shanghai, Guanzhou, Auckland, Bali, Manila and Seoul.
5.Quality of the education: Australia has a highly-regarded education system and all classes are English speaking. James Cook University is ranked in the top 2% of the world’s tertiary institutions. Central Queensland University enjoys a reputation as one of Australia’s most progressive and innovative universities.
6.Education Pathways: You can start your study in Cairns on a short Study Tour, at School or at an English Language College and then continue with long-term study at a Vocational Education and Training College or at one of our two Universities.
7.Attractions: Cairns has a wide and diverse range of natural and tourist attractions. It is the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can go bungy jumping, white water rafting, take a scenic railway or a rainforest cableway, or go diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef within a short boat ride from Cairns. Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park tells the stories of Indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with music and dance. Cairns Esplanade and the famous Lagoon Swimming Pool in the centre of the city is one of the most popular spots for international students to meet up.
