advice needed for going to Perth, thanks
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Hi all,
I am going over to Perth in Feb for my post grad masters. Will be at UWA and prob staying at the uni college there. Have a few concerns and will welcome any advice and help I may get. For info, I am male and in my mid 30s.
- is it better for a post grad student to stay in the uni college or should i consider renting a pl on my own? I do wan my privacy and creature comforts and am not sure if i can mix around with all the youngsters in the college.
- do i need an int'l licence to drive over there? will be there for abt 10 months so prob will get a car, but not too sure on it yet.
- power supply over there is different? will I be able to bring over my appliances e.g. laptop, chargers? must i use an adapter for all my powering needs?
- can I bring in medicine and toiletries pass the customs? thinking of bring some chinese medicine, but not sure if will get confisticated...
- drinking water is safe there? or must we drink only bottled water?
- I play a lot of sports in sg, and will prob want to play badminton in perth. any idea how i can link up with badminton groups in perth?
- I am keen on doing some extensive travelling, esp nature related trips like diving and trekking during the school hols. Should i travel on my own or should i sign up with the local tours?
Many thanks for any replies.
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Here is some info on driving in Australia for overseas drivers: http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/yourlicence/1365.asp Regarding accomodation, you can consider sharing with other postgrad or professionals. You can check out the following for accomodation choices: http://perth.gumtree.com.au/ http://www.realestate.com.au/ Also, I see some people posting here for house shares. Check it out: http://www.studyconnect.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=fb82b567f36efd4065828a01b7788a46&f=34 Australia uses the same voltage. Just make sure to buy some international plugs. Here is what the Australian socket looks like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#Type_I_.28Australian.2FNew_Zealand_.26_Chinese.2FArgentinian_2.2F3-pin.29 Regarding travelling, you should venture on your own since you have a car. Just get a good map and drive away! Can't answer the other questions, so I will leave that for someone else.
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I have on my calendar the following items to get.
1.CNCC (need to show proof that you are in Perth for studies.)
2. International Driving Permit, Personal Accident Policy, Travel Insurance that covers 1 year. These are to acquire the day before I fly.
3.a Cashier Order to start a bank a/c a at the place of residence.
4. a set of washed bedsheets, blankets, bolster case and pillow case for that very first night.
5. 2 pair of slippers that allows your stocking feet to slip into.
6. a Noodle strainer buy at your local wet market.
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The renting thingy depends on your budget and how comfortable you want to be. And if you need furniture, the local salvation army outlets should have some decent ones. Same with the issue of getting a car, if you are in the hostel or a house near the university, you wont want a car sitting in the garage for most days.
Just make sure that wherever you are staying has the following: Washing machine, Dryer, fridge, bed, table & wardrobe.
You should also be investing in a water filtration jug and another water filter tank that fits into your fridge. Perth's water is relatively safe to drink, but on the safe side, filter them or at least boil them in a smaller electric jug to make your tea and coffee.
Chinese herbs is not necessary since Perth has a decent Singapore/Malaysian chinese population.
For diving and trekking, I rather you use a guide because australian waters are different and the trekking is not like our Singapore Bukit Timah.
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If you are buying a car, you need to register it to a driver's license. Legally, you can drive on a Spore's license for 3 months, after this period, you need to get a WA license. To get a WA drivers license, all you need to do is to rock up to any Metropolitan licensing centre to take your theory test. After you pass your test, you get your license as you have a full Spore license.
Check out your Uni sports club for most sports.
Diving, Ningaloo reef is good for diving. If you like abalone, Esperance is a good spot. Rock Lobster is plentiful in WA. Make sure you know your bag limit.
As for Treking, I presume that you are thinking of the driving into outback for long expedition. . Go with groups and get a guide. Do not attempt to go into places where the road ends into the desert on your own if you do not know what you are doing. The Desert is hash place and people can get seriously hurt or killed. There will be some form of adventure club in Uni. Check them out.
Tip: Try not to bring a whole heap of stuff from home. If you can get them in WA buy them here.
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Hey sorry to hijack your thread, but I wanna ask...you are in your mid 30s and you are going to take your MASTERS full time... so you must quitted your job to do this? What made you to take this decision? What are the risks you considered before you took this path?
I am also in the midst of considering taking my masters in Australia but most likely will consider going to UniMelb for that...I am 31 this year BTW
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Well, the power should be okay if you had auto voltage adapter but you would need to use a plug adaptor as the pin is different over there.
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Some companies, offers Sabbatical Leave.
And with the recession coming up right now. Chances of retrencing is high too.
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Hi all, thanks for all the replies. Really helpful.
Starry99, thanks for all the websites. Know u are going there too rite? maybe can arrange a meetup?
Viciouskitty, wow, your nick sounds fierce. ;) are u going perth soon? U have a pack list, meaning u are going there too?
Whitsundays, thanks for the driving licence info. Troublesome to pass the test? I am considering buying a car, but will give up the idea if it proves too troublesome. May just rent a car whenever I wan to leave Perth. I should be staying near the uni. U thank that is a good idea?
caleb chiang, thanks for info. I have adaptor but need voltage adapter?
gasband, for your query, I am not quitting my job la. Took sabbatical. Was really tired and wanted something new to refresh my life, so hit upon taking time off to go somewhere new. So studying a masters in australia seems like a good way out. Sometimes we have to close some doors for other doors to open. Thus, I am trying to open some new doors to my life. Hope this helps.
cheers to all.
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How much do you think you need to set aside including the school fees?
U are taking MBA or Engineering or?
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Errr no....not looking to go over to Perth. Unless you are the reason....(teasing you nia.)I've been to Perth, very very quiet place, the place that started Singapore a Apple Strudel craze. Apparently, lots of students from Singapore studied in Perth and handcarry those strudels back. (If only we can have krispykreme donuts!)
There is there couple of streets which is full of bars and at least a 'Singapore's Chin Chin Chicken Rice' outlet.
Chin Chin was popular for their Tomato Sauce hananise Pork Chops. The founders son/grandson is settled in Perth now.
From there, a trip to freementle is easy, either by car or those cruise ship thingy. There is also plenty of wine if you drive thru the wine areas.
And erm.....I am planning to visit my sister in USA, go for a train tour in Europe & possibly settle in Phuket thailand for language & cooking classes.
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Woot, sabbatical sia.
What field are you working in and what postgrad course are you enrolled in?
UWA essentially situated in expensive area. The cheapest house in the vicinity is going for $450 PW. Not sure about rooms, though. Apartments are also numerous there.
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Hi, school fees depends on course, from abt 19k to 30k sing. living expenses abt 450 to 600 pw should be quite comfortable.
now exchange rate also very good...... ;)
VK74, sounds like a cool life u have huh.... from your descriptions, sounds like i should pay a visit to the chicken rice store....haha. I am a wine drinker, so i am looking forward to swan valley for the wines there. If u do come over to perth, let me know la....can work out something. If u do meet me up, I might then be the reason u will come over....haha....*smile*
the uni college is abt 300pw, with food, electricity and stuff thrown in. Maybe I might stay there, seems to be cheap and good. Use the savings to tour WA.
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That is very sweet of you.
And Yes, I do plan to retrace some of my trips. One in Perth Australia when I can.
Swan valley for wine and steak.......Old town just to see the the quaint little shops & eating fish & chips outdoors are interesting experience.
even bicuits topped with cream & honey taste nice in Perth.
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BTW, if you wear glasses, do get a extra pair for wearing in Perth.
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hey VK74, u wake up early huh....6 plus in the morning....wow...
why an extra pair of glasses le? reason?
so u currently in sg? when u flying off?
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Its cheaper to do an extra pair of glasses in Singapore.
And medical wont come cheap, so you best be taking good care of yourself.
1. Take those vitamin C fizzy tablets, throw into your orange juice in the morning.
2. Change the dish washing sponge once a month, and remember to clean the lint off your dryer as often as you can.
3. Avoid the casinos, if they become a regular nightly entertainment, you are sunk.
4, Buy bread, have cellapane wrapper ready so you can wrap four pieces of bread per cellapane wrap and put into the freezer. When you want to eat, take out a pack of four slices, microwave & toast the bread.
5. Eggs, you can always boil six out of the dozen, mash the boiled eggs with mayo, chilli sauce & pepper and tupperware them in the fridge. You busy students wont have that much time to cook, so the eggs mayo, bread could become a staple.
6. You should be bringing some stationary over, forget the A4 size papers, but do bring along some small siccors to leave in the kitchen and the laundry area.
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Angel......errrr........
Am selling my hdb flat. Handover in 24 Nov. Is lookign to rent another place for 2 months in Singapore, finish what I have to do. Feb to fly to Orange County California USA to visit my sis's family. April is suppose to tour Europe, but it looks like I should be in Phuket Thailand to set up home and everything in time for Songkla, the water splashing festival.