anyone heading off to Adelaide? studying at uniSA or SAIBT?

Hey guys,

I have a serious question.

I'm interested in studying medicine (MBBS) in Australia.

The fees for international students and local students are different - 56k AUD for international students and 9k AUD for local students (in Monash Australia).

I was born in Australia, and I have the rights to get an Australian passport. From my research, this means I AM a local student so I get to pay just 9k AUD per year, which is roughly RM27k per year.

Local universities cost much more to study medicine. Thus, I have a serious advantage to study in Australia with lower than half the price to study in Malaysia.

But here's the catch, if I apply for an Australian passport and become an Australian citizen, I lose my Malaysian citizenship. I love Malaysia.

So if you are in my shoes, and you have 100% chance to enter Australia's medschools, would you get an Australian passport, forfeit Malaysian citizenship and study in Australia?

Thanks!

EDIT: I haven't even started A-Level. So I don't have 100% chance to enter Australia's medschools. Just wanted to clarify.

This post has been edited by SRLee: Jan 18 2011, 04:04 PM

maybe you can apply for a PR? That way you should be able to enjoy local rates and still hold a Malaysian passport right?

I don't think it's that easy to apply for PR. I think you have to stay there for some time.

I'm not sure and I don't really know so chances are, my information is wrong.

Could someone with PR experience help clarify this issue?

And yes, students with PR enjoy local rates without giving up Malaysian passport.

just give up your Malaysia citizenship.

You are more well served up in Australia then Malaysia

yes, you'd have to stay there. like 2 out of 5 years kinda thing. and since you were born there, it shouldn't be hard to apply for a PR right? Why don't you give it a shot?

Click here to find out what's my issue. =D

Before that, I would like to thank you guys for helping out in answering my previous questions and provide encouragement.
Alright. Here we go.

Well, as some of you suggested that I should wait for Uni B. From 5 universities, down to 3. Just realised that I didn't manage to get through uni B as it is so demanding for all applicants this year. Unless I'm given another chance in second round offers. So what I left right now is Uni C, D and E and three of them are all based in different cities. Uni A is off the list because the deadline is due and I did not respond to their offers.

Your role? Good question. Not going to ask you guys which uni is good or bad. I believe all unis are good in their expertise. What I need you guys to help out is to write down any extra details that you guys may gain when studying in these universities or any solutions in solving the cons I've listed from each uni and its related surroundings.

And btw, I'm planning to take Bachelor of Commerce majoring Accounting. I'm ok with additional units from Finance too. These 3 unis are all accredited by ACCA, CPA and ICAA if I take the recommended units by these boards. Am not encourage to perform any credit transfer.

Uni C [QUT]
- Referring to haya's post dated 9/1/2010, there are stereotypes, e.g. Asians in Business. Chances of getting exposure interacting with other students in the same faculty may be limited.

Uni D [Uni of Adelaide]
- The climate isn't really my type. I am not the person that is fond of cold that goes down below 5 or 6 degrees during winter. May get chapped lips and dry flaky skin most of the time.

Uni E [UWA]
- It is really tough to look for off-campus accommodation that specifically caters for students [unlike other cities have UniLodge etc]. realestate.com.au. share-accommodation.net sounds unpromising for my parents. Both of them are not looking forward on residential colleges too.

So yeah, feel free to express your opinions and solutions. Have been searching like mad over the internet. >.<

You should be able to. There should at least be a phone line. As long as you're with Telstra it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Do note that some suburbs are Optus/APPT only, and generally you'll be limited to them and the ISP's that resell from Optus/AAPT.

For example, I have friends who stay in suburbs where the copper is actually owned by Optus. Poor guy can't get Exetel as his ISP cause Exetel only resells Telstra wholesale.

You'd be surprised how internet avaliablity and choices can influence where you rent.

why not try Uni D? Uni C and Uni E has stereotypes problems and accommodation issues. These problems are somewhat HARDER to solve compared to Uni D. Uni D, your issue is just the weather. Chapped lips are normal and flaky skin is no rare thing. Just get a lip balm and moisturizer and you're good to go. Hope this helps.

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Added on January 18, 2011, 8:55 pmWow! I see, but in Adelaide since it's pretty small compared to places like Sydney and Melbourne shouldn't have that much of a problem I guess. Actually I'm not sure which would be better, renting a house with friends or buying a house then renting it out to my friends.

*My mom wanted to buy a house in the suburbs then probably when I leave for Sydney or wherever to work, sell it off. What do you think? Because I don't intend to stay at Urbanest for long.. 5 months contract is all I want. Don't intend to stay longer than that. =)

This post has been edited by zeke'stah: Jan 18 2011, 08:55 PM

anyone heading to unsw here? im going back there around mid feb...cheers!

Just my two cents worth.

I think that in the current climate, every major university in Australia that you go to, you will find problems with Asian stereotypes, especially in certain fields (Commerce majoring in accounting happens to be one of them). I really think that you shouldn't be basing your choice on this factor as it is going to be a problem wherever you go, even if some places it may be more pronounced than others. In such circumstances, your experience (ie your "chances of getting exposure interacting with other students") is purely dependent on your personality and social skills, and is entirely up to the individual, rather than which uni you go to. For example, if you are sociable and are able to "click" well with local students you won't have a problem mixing with their crowd. On the other hand, there are some asians that tend to stick to their own cliques and social circles. So it really depends.

As for the cold weather, its really a part of Australian life and theres no running away from it whichever uni you go to. If you're not fond of 5-6 degree temperatures, you won't be fond of anywhere in Australia during winter thats for sure (well anywhere where the major Us are located that is). This is especially more so since Australia has been having some unpredictable weather these past few years and you could be facing some cold weather even in regions where its "supposed" to be hot. For example, I live in Melbourne and at the start of summer earlier in December, we were still experiencing some 5 degree-ish temperatures. So my advice is, this is something you have to get used to and shouldn't base your choice on.

Rather, you should be basing your choice on:
1) The quality of the university
Is their teaching for the field that you are interested in any good? This may be very difficult to find out without a firsthand account from someone who has studied the particular course in the university. And certainly it would be difficult to also compare these accounts between unis, to find out which uni has a better quality of teaching. If the other forum members can't help you out, you could probably google around and see if you can find any feedback.
2) Student life
What do you intend to do once you get into university. Are academics your top priority or are you looking to get involved in student life on campus as well (for example joining a few clubs and societies)? Some unis may have a more vibrant clubs and societies (C&S) scene than others. Again, this is only quantifiable through firsthand experience, though going to the university website and looking at their student life may give you some indication of how vibrant it is.
3) Accommodation and transport
Sometimes the rental pricing for different universities can be very different as some may be located in suburbs and some located in the city. Try looking around online for rental prices around your university and compare. You might be surprised at the difference. Your rental will be a major part of your cost of living so its important to know these prices beforehand. If your uni is located in the city, you might also want to live in a suburb and take public transport.
4) Support group
I know it sounds superficial but its actually important to go somewhere where you already know people - it will help you fit in more quickly and get you on your feet faster. Remember, your friends are your family away from home. It shouldn't be decisive but if possible choose a uni where you have friends there already, or friends who are also going with you. It will make it so much easier. Another way around this is to stay in a hall/residential college as you will generally meet people quicker and feel more comfortable going into uni.

Hope that helps! I'm actually a recent graduate from the University of Melbourne (4 years in Chemical Engineering) so I know what its like to go overseas alone Feel free to ask any other questions.



Also, I lived in a residential college when I first arrived in Melbourne and found it really great as I got to meet a lot of people and was also convenient for me. Any specific reasons why your parents are not looking forward to residential colleges? I definitely think their great, especially for first-year students going away to university alone.

This post has been edited by Luke1989: Jan 18 2011, 11:40 PM

Thanks a bunch for the time in writing such a long post. Indeed you're right. Things are unpredictable as we move on. I'll refer these few criterias in deciding where to go.

I'm from Sunway, Ausmat ...
Hmm, since then I will try my best to ask my aunt ... whether she got any frens, or anything
hope I can help thou

This post has been edited by lonely92: Jan 19 2011, 01:46 AM

being born in a country does not entitle you to pr.........

in fact, it may not give u right to citizenship either, as the laws have changed, and one of the new conditions is one of the parents must be either citizen or pr................

thanks a bunch! do you have msn?
maybe you can PM me your contact so atleast we can contact easier since we're going to the exact same thing!

I agree with Luke1989 that living in a residential hall/college is a good idea.

Things to consider are:
1. Price of the college (how do the prices compare to other accomodations ?)
2. Catered or non catered college ?

Get into Australia with an open mind. Play a new sport, meet people from places you never knew existed, it's all part of the experience !

My father was a previous PR holder (not anymore).

But I've asked about my situation in Australian High Commission and I was told I can get an Australian passport if I wanted to.

If it were me I would go for Australian citizenship. Lots of students are going to Australia nowadays to study and to obtain their PR there afterwards. Now you have a chance to obtain citizenship (and the low fees that come with it) before you even start studying.

The only downside is of course losing out on your Malaysian citizenship. I don't really think its that big a deal since an Australian passport would be better. Things to find out would be whether you can still stay in Malaysia for prolonged periods after you obtain your Australian citizenship. I think its definitely possible since Malaysian laws would be less strict than Australian ones.

This is something you should be discussing with your parents. They would know best after all. And you also have to ask yourself what are your plans after you complete your medical degree. Will you want to stay on in Australia or will you want to come back to Malaysia to practice? These are all important things you should consider.

P.S. Reread your original post and noticed that you haven't started A-levels. Perhaps you should complete your pre-U before you consider your citizenship status? Its not that easy to get into Medicine in Australia after all.

This post has been edited by Luke1989: Jan 19 2011, 02:12 PM

Malaysia's PR is unobtainable as far as I know. So I cannot live in Malaysia anymore and I cannot practice in Malaysia.

The most important thing to note is that I've never been to Australia. I came back when I was only 2-months-old.

I want to travel to Australia to get a feel, but I can't find any places of interest (maybe the Great Barrier Reef). It seems that Australia is a boring place.

Yeah I'm going to take A-Level in Malaysia. After that, if my results are excellent, then maybe I would take up Australian citizenship.

Yeah... to actually obtain a PR in Malaysia is close to impossible therefore making them HIGHLY valuable.

Actually, in my opinion, if it comes to giving up your Malaysian passport, you have to look beyond now.

And yes, I mean education...not yours. Your childrens'!! Alot of people migrate to Australia for the sake of their kins education. Even you know the price difference between locals there and international students. Education in Australia is good compared to Malaysia and well, if you want your children studying there, act now!

Even for you, you'd pay cheaper for your education right now. I'm sure in Australia there're interesting places to visit and all. Malaysia is not exactly THAT fantastic. If you miss Malaysia, come in as a tourist. Bring your family, go for a holiday.

If I were you, i'd go for the Australian passport. Happy deciding bro!

This post has been edited by zeke'stah: Jan 19 2011, 04:02 PM