is canberra really that boring? (that's what i heard frm my friends)

Try ask those seniors who have studied there who's more likely have same attribute as you.

As I like to live in vibrant cities, the least vibrant city I can bear with is KK. Anyway, from my personal point of view, it was really boring. My last visit was 2006. Wasn't my type though. When we reached the city, it looks like as if we're in a suburb/town. Nothing much good places to visit, maybe that's because of my perception. Once woke up early and as I looked across the window, no one does jogging, no kids cycling, no one walks the dog, probably due to cold temperatures. I can guarantee the most lively place in Canberra afaik, is the university during the day. Not many cars around the roads at night and the streets go way dimmer than Perth [Perth's quite dark already for the street I'm living in near UWA]. It's more family orientated there and so far I have not heard any good reviews from my friends who studied there. It's totally different if you have your relatives as you guys always hangout together. Still I would say it's a great place if you're an all time anti-social, retiree, not that keen on outings or entertainment, family-orientated or you would just want to focus in your studies and forget bout the rest in the world that could actually make your life slightly interesting. It depends where you're from too. If you came out from a small town/village, that should be alright.

This post is totally bias but hope it helps.

This post has been edited by immabee: Mar 17 2011, 10:13 PM

The linear equivalent of Canberra would be Putrajaya. An artificial city created in the middle of nowhere.

Most artificial cities (Canberra, Washington, Brasilia, Putrajaya) are usually dull and boring places. But a perfect place for study.

YES. But ANU has a good reputation for research. Students doing masters and higher degrees don't mind Canberra as they've already had the 'fun' college experience elsewhere and are ready to settle down for serious study. Canberra is a small 'artificial' city; being the seat of government, it attracts migrants from all over Australia who are mostly civil servants (read: BORING). IMHO, it's the most boring major city in Australia with extremes in temperature to boot.

how isit compared to tassie? I heard Canberra is way better than tasmania =/

those in ade... what's the wage there like? for students wanting to work part time?

i just enquired at cherry blossom, it's $10 per hour there. i'm gonna check out australian pizza house tomoro..

really depends..expect around $10 per hour for waiter/waitress

that is below minimum wage, but chinese restaurants are well known to pay below that.......but it is unrecorded, so you don't need to pay tax......

as an international student i think as long as you have TFN you dont have to worry about tax at all...

yeah, with TFN I reckon you won't need to worry about tax.. but yeah, heard it's an underpaid amount. But as you should know, cherry blossom is owned by a chinese (as stated by the shop's manager), so....oh well... =D if you know somewhere else that pays good, let me know!!!

you failed to understand.......

the tfn no is for deduction of your tax liability by your employer and remitted.......so you do not get the full amount, but your pay less the tax deducted.......

however in many chinese restaurants, they pay you less, but do not declare your income, and do not deduct tax from you.........

May I ask when does RMIT usually start its semesters?

If I'm not mistaken, it's February and July.

Planning to do my masters of engineering there. Any comment about the U? Is it mandatory for me to undergo TOEFL test in order to get admittance?

i know tfn helps when transferring money. u won't be deducted for tax. yup! that's such a bummer! if you work at Mackers they won't underpay you right?

Of course since you are an old man. They need to make sure you can speak and understand english =)

They'll pay you the bare minimum. Keep in mind that unless you're 18 and above, you don't get the full minimum wage. Its a tiered system. Below 16 years of age its something like $9/hr, and between 16-18 its something like $12/hr. Once you hit 18 you get the full amount.

(Note all amounts are pre-tax. Don't get me started with Superannuation deductions)

Not that most people here are that young, but before I have someone screaming that they're being scammed by their employer because they're not getting the $15/hr.

Its a personal decision to work cash in hand and be underpaid, but don't come complaining that your Chinaman employer haven't paid you for months. If you want the protection of the law you need to comply with it.

For the record, McDonalds (and other fast food employers) have been caught in the past underpaying international students, probably with the assumption they can get away with it as international students usually are poorly aware of their rights (and obligations). Dob them in through, and Fair Work Australia will usually compel them to pay up.

depends, sometimes if your previous qualification was done in English (you might be asked to provide evidence) and it hasn't been too long since you graduated then probably you won't need IELTS/TOEFL. Go to the University's website, they usually state clearly what are their English language requirement policy.

alright! thanks man. I'm 20 years old this year so what amount should I be expecting? Approximately?