Decided to become a student!
Apr 23rd 2010, 7:05 pm
#1
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: London
Posts: 14
Decided to become a student!
Hi all,
Some friendly advice needed!
I posted a while ago that my fiance and I were considering our options of applying for PR in Australia. Three months down the line, my fiance and I have decided to go our own ways, primarily as she's decided Australia is not for her - and she dropped the bomb shell to me that she does not want to have children, something I would have dearly wanted. I've nothing to loose now apart from a highly stressful job, and having lost both parents during the last year and being an only son don't have any family ties here whatsoever. A fresh start is needed!
I've decided to enrol on a BA in Nursing in Brisbane or Adelaide. A 3 year course for me (paying massive international student fees) but feel it may be an investment for the life in Australia I desire.
A few questions.... on top of the student fees I have about $80,000 of funds available to me. Do you think this is enough to keep me going (without living an extravagant lifestyle) over the 3 years?
I plan to do some part-time work, I know I am limited to 20 hours per week, and I think this is a great way to integrate into "society" away from the normal student life.
Has anyone else taken this route to reach the eventual parole of PR? I would really appreciate your feedback.
I'm throughly looking forward to a massive career change and the challenge of studying!
Thanks
Bushcat
Some friendly advice needed!
I posted a while ago that my fiance and I were considering our options of applying for PR in Australia. Three months down the line, my fiance and I have decided to go our own ways, primarily as she's decided Australia is not for her - and she dropped the bomb shell to me that she does not want to have children, something I would have dearly wanted. I've nothing to loose now apart from a highly stressful job, and having lost both parents during the last year and being an only son don't have any family ties here whatsoever. A fresh start is needed!
I've decided to enrol on a BA in Nursing in Brisbane or Adelaide. A 3 year course for me (paying massive international student fees) but feel it may be an investment for the life in Australia I desire.
A few questions.... on top of the student fees I have about $80,000 of funds available to me. Do you think this is enough to keep me going (without living an extravagant lifestyle) over the 3 years?
I plan to do some part-time work, I know I am limited to 20 hours per week, and I think this is a great way to integrate into "society" away from the normal student life.
Has anyone else taken this route to reach the eventual parole of PR? I would really appreciate your feedback.
I'm throughly looking forward to a massive career change and the challenge of studying!
Thanks
Bushcat
Apr 23rd 2010, 9:16 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 57
Re: Decided to become a student!
Hi all,
Some friendly advice needed!
I posted a while ago that my fiance and I were considering our options of applying for PR in Australia. Three months down the line, my fiance and I have decided to go our own ways, primarily as she's decided Australia is not for her - and she dropped the bomb shell to me that she does not want to have children, something I would have dearly wanted. I've nothing to loose now apart from a highly stressful job, and having lost both parents during the last year and being an only son don't have any family ties here whatsoever. A fresh start is needed!
I've decided to enrol on a BA in Nursing in Brisbane or Adelaide. A 3 year course for me (paying massive international student fees) but feel it may be an investment for the life in Australia I desire.
A few questions.... on top of the student fees I have about $80,000 of funds available to me. Do you think this is enough to keep me going (without living an extravagant lifestyle) over the 3 years?
I plan to do some part-time work, I know I am limited to 20 hours per week, and I think this is a great way to integrate into "society" away from the normal student life.
Has anyone else taken this route to reach the eventual parole of PR? I would really appreciate your feedback.
I'm throughly looking forward to a massive career change and the challenge of studying!
Thanks
Bushcat
Some friendly advice needed!
I posted a while ago that my fiance and I were considering our options of applying for PR in Australia. Three months down the line, my fiance and I have decided to go our own ways, primarily as she's decided Australia is not for her - and she dropped the bomb shell to me that she does not want to have children, something I would have dearly wanted. I've nothing to loose now apart from a highly stressful job, and having lost both parents during the last year and being an only son don't have any family ties here whatsoever. A fresh start is needed!
I've decided to enrol on a BA in Nursing in Brisbane or Adelaide. A 3 year course for me (paying massive international student fees) but feel it may be an investment for the life in Australia I desire.
A few questions.... on top of the student fees I have about $80,000 of funds available to me. Do you think this is enough to keep me going (without living an extravagant lifestyle) over the 3 years?
I plan to do some part-time work, I know I am limited to 20 hours per week, and I think this is a great way to integrate into "society" away from the normal student life.
Has anyone else taken this route to reach the eventual parole of PR? I would really appreciate your feedback.
I'm throughly looking forward to a massive career change and the challenge of studying!
Thanks
Bushcat
Good luck, I m sure someone will be along soon who can help with the questions
Apr 23rd 2010, 11:21 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside
Posts: 115
Re: Decided to become a student!
Hi
Have you thought about looking on the Nursing forum. It's situated in the Working Abroad by Profession forum. There seems to be a few people on there that have gone via the student route, and might be able to answer any questions. Just type in student in the search thread bit.
Good Luck
Have you thought about looking on the Nursing forum. It's situated in the Working Abroad by Profession forum. There seems to be a few people on there that have gone via the student route, and might be able to answer any questions. Just type in student in the search thread bit.
Good Luck
Apr 24th 2010, 12:59 am
#4
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Decided to become a student!
Have you thought about re-training in the UK?
Apr 24th 2010, 3:31 am
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 3,162
Re: Decided to become a student!
If you are happy to pay the money I reckon you will be fine. Nursing is something which will always be in demand, so you have far less to worry about than people on other courses.
Depending on your style of living that amount of money will do you well, especially if topped up with part time work. You might want to consider a shared house though as rent is very high here.
I am in Adelaide and it is a great place.
How old are you buy the way? If you are under 30 it might be an idea to get a working holiday visa first so you can have a wonder around the country before getting into studying, then you can get a real feel for where you want to live, how much it will cost you to live etc, and have a look at the different places you are considering studying (I mean the actual institutions). You can apply for the student visa onshore so easy to then swap.
Good luck.
Depending on your style of living that amount of money will do you well, especially if topped up with part time work. You might want to consider a shared house though as rent is very high here.
I am in Adelaide and it is a great place.
How old are you buy the way? If you are under 30 it might be an idea to get a working holiday visa first so you can have a wonder around the country before getting into studying, then you can get a real feel for where you want to live, how much it will cost you to live etc, and have a look at the different places you are considering studying (I mean the actual institutions). You can apply for the student visa onshore so easy to then swap.
Good luck.
Apr 24th 2010, 3:45 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 471
Re: Decided to become a student!
Hi all,
Some friendly advice needed!
I posted a while ago that my fiance and I were considering our options of applying for PR in Australia. Three months down the line, my fiance and I have decided to go our own ways, primarily as she's decided Australia is not for her - and she dropped the bomb shell to me that she does not want to have children, something I would have dearly wanted. I've nothing to loose now apart from a highly stressful job, and having lost both parents during the last year and being an only son don't have any family ties here whatsoever. A fresh start is needed!
I've decided to enrol on a BA in Nursing in Brisbane or Adelaide. A 3 year course for me (paying massive international student fees) but feel it may be an investment for the life in Australia I desire.
A few questions.... on top of the student fees I have about $80,000 of funds available to me. Do you think this is enough to keep me going (without living an extravagant lifestyle) over the 3 years?
I plan to do some part-time work, I know I am limited to 20 hours per week, and I think this is a great way to integrate into "society" away from the normal student life.
Has anyone else taken this route to reach the eventual parole of PR? I would really appreciate your feedback.
I'm throughly looking forward to a massive career change and the challenge of studying!
Thanks
Bushcat
Some friendly advice needed!
I posted a while ago that my fiance and I were considering our options of applying for PR in Australia. Three months down the line, my fiance and I have decided to go our own ways, primarily as she's decided Australia is not for her - and she dropped the bomb shell to me that she does not want to have children, something I would have dearly wanted. I've nothing to loose now apart from a highly stressful job, and having lost both parents during the last year and being an only son don't have any family ties here whatsoever. A fresh start is needed!
I've decided to enrol on a BA in Nursing in Brisbane or Adelaide. A 3 year course for me (paying massive international student fees) but feel it may be an investment for the life in Australia I desire.
A few questions.... on top of the student fees I have about $80,000 of funds available to me. Do you think this is enough to keep me going (without living an extravagant lifestyle) over the 3 years?
I plan to do some part-time work, I know I am limited to 20 hours per week, and I think this is a great way to integrate into "society" away from the normal student life.
Has anyone else taken this route to reach the eventual parole of PR? I would really appreciate your feedback.
I'm throughly looking forward to a massive career change and the challenge of studying!
Thanks
Bushcat
Apr 24th 2010, 6:25 am
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 3,162
Re: Decided to become a student!
Even if that happens, nursing is one of those jobs that you could find a sponsor for at the drop of a hat.
Apr 24th 2010, 6:34 am
#8
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: London
Posts: 14
Re: Decided to become a student!
I have read quite a few article in The Australian about international students flouting the system in their thousands by studying hairdressing and cookery and that whole process really does annoy me. I could easily have spent a few thousand dollars studying to be a hairdresser - applied for PR and never picked up a pair of scissors again!
Anyway, now being single I'm wondering how I'm going to manage in a class full of student nurses, I that challenge deserves a certificate in its own right!
Chris Evans certainly is creating as many bridges as possible isn't he! I can understand him limiting the massive numbers of non english speaking students who are playing the system, but I've read multiple articles in the Australian about immigration and how Australia needs to increase immigration to maintain their economy - seems to me he's going a little too far.
Thanks all!
Apr 24th 2010, 7:13 am
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,768
Re: Decided to become a student!
Don't get me wrong! ... altho PR was obviously our main goal, we DID have every intention of both becoming hairdressers over here. It only took the one of us to qualify for the PR side of things, but once we learnt a bit about the trade (crap wages, no breaks, long evening's, almost guaranteed to work saturday, the bitching!! ...lol) we see it as a means to an end.
We came over on student visa's in March 06 and was PR by May 08. We sold our house in the UK for 30k less than valued as we HAD to get going, the time was right, it was now or never! The thing is, criteria can and does change all the time. If a change pops up while you're here, and you can't meet it, then you take your aussie qualification home with you, or prey someone will sponsor you or whatever.
Risky? ... damn yeah! Stressful? ... ditto that! ... nothing like living in no mans land is there!
Do it again? ... well it was my only chance as unfortunately back cabbies wasn't on the SOL ...lol, so yeah for sure!
We came (2 adults, 2 teens + a dog) over on a mission, and succeeded, it CAN be done but as I say it's all about the timing. I went thru the whole process with the attitude 'if it's meant to be', and it obviously was ...
$189,000 didn't last 18 months to be honest, but IF it wasn't to happen then we wanted the 2 years here to be good so we wasn't exactly careful lets say with our money. Altho $35k of that was 2 x course fee's for us, and $32k was 2 x kids school fee's. 2 x cars @ $45k wasn't OTT either, but yeah, I flew back to blighty and rented a cab for 6 weeks cos we was on the floor ...
20 hours is a joke. A joke because there aint no 20 hours pw jobs. Part time here is more than 20, and to be honest finding *a* job at the mo is hard enough! I had 5 weeks work delivering pizza's and the missus a few months at the theme parks, that was it.
Go for it tho. A single bloke doin the course you're thinking of will be as good a chance of success as you'll have I reckon ...
Apr 24th 2010, 8:11 am
#10
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Posts: 14
Re: Decided to become a student!
Like we did, altho I DO handle the scissors now and then still for friends and family ...
Don't get me wrong! ... altho PR was obviously our main goal, we DID have every intention of both becoming hairdressers over here. It only took the one of us to qualify for the PR side of things, but once we learnt a bit about the trade (crap wages, no breaks, long evening's, almost guaranteed to work saturday, the bitching!! ...lol) we see it as a means to an end.
We came over on student visa's in March 06 and was PR by May 08. We sold our house in the UK for 30k less than valued as we HAD to get going, the time was right, it was now or never! The thing is, criteria can and does change all the time. If a change pops up while you're here, and you can't meet it, then you take your aussie qualification home with you, or prey someone will sponsor you or whatever.
Risky? ... damn yeah! Stressful? ... ditto that! ... nothing like living in no mans land is there!
Do it again? ... well it was my only chance as unfortunately back cabbies wasn't on the SOL ...lol, so yeah for sure!
We came (2 adults, 2 teens + a dog) over on a mission, and succeeded, it CAN be done but as I say it's all about the timing. I went thru the whole process with the attitude 'if it's meant to be', and it obviously was ...
$189,000 didn't last 18 months to be honest, but IF it wasn't to happen then we wanted the 2 years here to be good so we wasn't exactly careful lets say with our money. Altho $35k of that was 2 x course fee's for us, and $32k was 2 x kids school fee's. 2 x cars @ $45k wasn't OTT either, but yeah, I flew back to blighty and rented a cab for 6 weeks cos we was on the floor ...
20 hours is a joke. A joke because there aint no 20 hours pw jobs. Part time here is more than 20, and to be honest finding *a* job at the mo is hard enough! I had 5 weeks work delivering pizza's and the missus a few months at the theme parks, that was it.
Go for it tho. A single bloke doin the course you're thinking of will be as good a chance of success as you'll have I reckon ...
Don't get me wrong! ... altho PR was obviously our main goal, we DID have every intention of both becoming hairdressers over here. It only took the one of us to qualify for the PR side of things, but once we learnt a bit about the trade (crap wages, no breaks, long evening's, almost guaranteed to work saturday, the bitching!! ...lol) we see it as a means to an end.
We came over on student visa's in March 06 and was PR by May 08. We sold our house in the UK for 30k less than valued as we HAD to get going, the time was right, it was now or never! The thing is, criteria can and does change all the time. If a change pops up while you're here, and you can't meet it, then you take your aussie qualification home with you, or prey someone will sponsor you or whatever.
Risky? ... damn yeah! Stressful? ... ditto that! ... nothing like living in no mans land is there!
Do it again? ... well it was my only chance as unfortunately back cabbies wasn't on the SOL ...lol, so yeah for sure!
We came (2 adults, 2 teens + a dog) over on a mission, and succeeded, it CAN be done but as I say it's all about the timing. I went thru the whole process with the attitude 'if it's meant to be', and it obviously was ...
$189,000 didn't last 18 months to be honest, but IF it wasn't to happen then we wanted the 2 years here to be good so we wasn't exactly careful lets say with our money. Altho $35k of that was 2 x course fee's for us, and $32k was 2 x kids school fee's. 2 x cars @ $45k wasn't OTT either, but yeah, I flew back to blighty and rented a cab for 6 weeks cos we was on the floor ...
20 hours is a joke. A joke because there aint no 20 hours pw jobs. Part time here is more than 20, and to be honest finding *a* job at the mo is hard enough! I had 5 weeks work delivering pizza's and the missus a few months at the theme parks, that was it.
Go for it tho. A single bloke doin the course you're thinking of will be as good a chance of success as you'll have I reckon ...
I'm starting to warm up to the idea of crisp white nurses outfits and blue sky's! What more could a single guy my age wish for!
Where did you move to? Adelaide is more on the cards for me....
Good you your perseverance! I guess it was the lifestyle and the future opportunities what made it for you!
Apr 24th 2010, 8:59 am
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,768
Re: Decided to become a student!
Thanks Paul! You've brightened up my day. After looking out my window I have to ask, do you ever miss the greyness of London? The grey sky's, grey lamp posts, grey army of election canvassers who woke me up this morning?
I'm starting to warm up to the idea of crisp white nurses outfits and blue sky's! What more could a single guy my age wish for!
Where did you move to? Adelaide is more on the cards for me....
Good you your perseverance! I guess it was the lifestyle and the future opportunities what made it for you!
I'm starting to warm up to the idea of crisp white nurses outfits and blue sky's! What more could a single guy my age wish for!
Where did you move to? Adelaide is more on the cards for me....
Good you your perseverance! I guess it was the lifestyle and the future opportunities what made it for you!
and all the rest, but if you come for climate (and talking SEQLD here) then you can't lose!I used to drive around London and look up into the sky, look up at that lovely blanket of grey, and think what it would be like if it was blue skies most of the time. Well I head down the motorway most mornings now with the blue skies and believe me, it can make a whole difference to how the day kicks off when the weathers decent ...
Oh and studied on the Gold Coast and lived there but have moved a tad north now and just short of Brisbane.
All good! ...
Apr 24th 2010, 3:51 pm
#12
MicheleandBarry
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Geelong
Posts: 121
Re: Decided to become a student!
Heya Bush cat,
Me and my half came here a year ago on the student visa.
Me on the hairdressing one! Nothing to do with gettin an easy visa, I thought get over here, sort the buggers and visas when we get here!!
I actually love the new vocation, more than i thought!
Ha ha.. My guy is a firefighter, and aviation specialised, he wanted to volunteer, wont happen with de 20 hr rule, but hey thats all changed now anyhoo,
All I will say to you is, Go for it wit Nuts On!! You are choosing a profession that will never go out off demand, and i wont kid you on, it will be hard, make sure you have the financial backup off savings. that you are ready to give in, for a better lifestyle and being,.. It is so worth it! You will see after a month, I promise, We have been here a yr, and aint going back, its a good life, I promise,
Just make sure you havent got any pullbacks and you will be fine! Its hard work but so worth it, just geta off your ass and do it! you will kick yourself if you dont
Me and my half came here a year ago on the student visa.
Me on the hairdressing one! Nothing to do with gettin an easy visa, I thought get over here, sort the buggers and visas when we get here!!
I actually love the new vocation, more than i thought!
Ha ha.. My guy is a firefighter, and aviation specialised, he wanted to volunteer, wont happen with de 20 hr rule, but hey thats all changed now anyhoo,
All I will say to you is, Go for it wit Nuts On!! You are choosing a profession that will never go out off demand, and i wont kid you on, it will be hard, make sure you have the financial backup off savings. that you are ready to give in, for a better lifestyle and being,.. It is so worth it! You will see after a month, I promise, We have been here a yr, and aint going back, its a good life, I promise,
Just make sure you havent got any pullbacks and you will be fine! Its hard work but so worth it, just geta off your ass and do it! you will kick yourself if you dont
Apr 24th 2010, 5:09 pm
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: London
Posts: 57
Re: Decided to become a student!
I just want to say Good Luck as well BushCat
Apr 24th 2010, 10:29 pm
#14
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: London
Posts: 14
Re: Decided to become a student!
Hi,
Thanks all for your positive words of support! I look forward to reporting my findings of returning to study as times passes.
Interesting broadcast on ABC National Radio http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiata...10/2866508.htm which highlights immigration needs of Australia over the next few years. My understanding is Australia needs you if your able to put something into the country.... (not just international student fees I hope).... the link makes interesting listening!
Got a few months to get my fitness up, and am planning to take a short course on care work before I start my nursing course.... a good way to get back into study!
Bushcat
Thanks all for your positive words of support! I look forward to reporting my findings of returning to study as times passes.
Interesting broadcast on ABC National Radio http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiata...10/2866508.htm which highlights immigration needs of Australia over the next few years. My understanding is Australia needs you if your able to put something into the country.... (not just international student fees I hope).... the link makes interesting listening!
Got a few months to get my fitness up, and am planning to take a short course on care work before I start my nursing course.... a good way to get back into study!
Bushcat
Apr 25th 2010, 7:31 am
#15
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: London
Posts: 14
Re: Decided to become a student!
Hi,
Thanks all for your positive words of support! I look forward to reporting my findings of returning to study as times passes.
Interesting broadcast on ABC National Radio http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiata...10/2866508.htm which highlights immigration needs of Australia over the next few years. My understanding is Australia needs you if your able to put something into the country.... (not just international student fees I hope).... the link makes interesting listening!
Got a few months to get my fitness up, and am planning to take a short course on care work before I start my nursing course.... a good way to get back into study!
Bushcat
Thanks all for your positive words of support! I look forward to reporting my findings of returning to study as times passes.
Interesting broadcast on ABC National Radio http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiata...10/2866508.htm which highlights immigration needs of Australia over the next few years. My understanding is Australia needs you if your able to put something into the country.... (not just international student fees I hope).... the link makes interesting listening!
Got a few months to get my fitness up, and am planning to take a short course on care work before I start my nursing course.... a good way to get back into study!
Bushcat
Just out of interest, when you went out on your student visas what did you take with you? Just one suitcase? Did you ship any items ahead of your arrival into Oz?
I'm trying to work out what I can and should take with me, and what I should sell off.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received!
Thanks