whaaaat? you come to australia and u dont intend to enjoy 500kbps line? u gotta be kiddin me dude

hm. a bit weird that the student accommodation dont state anything bout external isp. because from what i know, most student accommodations force you to subscribe external isp's for internet. lol maybe u should email them to ask if its possible

lol thats disappointing. i can use 1gb in a day 

Hi everyone.

I finished SPM in 2010 and now I don't know where I'm heading.

I need some guidance and help.

Here's my situation. I want to study medicine (MBBS), what are the important things I should know?

My parents want me to study in Australia as my father is a MBBS graduate from UNSW and I was born in Australia.

However, I want to study locally (any recommendations? I'm thinking IMU) as it is, in my opinion, cheaper and easier to go back home. It also feels "at home" in Malaysia.

So with my circumstances, which route should I take?

Study in Australia or in Malaysia?

Thanks!

-Shaun

P.S I was born in Australia and right now I have an Australia Declaratory Visa. I don't know if this information helps, I'm just adding it here in case it does.

Hey zeke'stah,

Because studying in Australia comes with an extremely high price tag, I feel it unnecessary to experience a new environment and/or new cultures just to get the MBBS since when everyone comes out to work (opening a clinic like my father), the place where the doctor graduated doesn't matter at all.

And actually, doctors aren't rich. Doctors just get to live a comfortable life unlike businessmen who ARE the real rich. My plan is actually to study medicine and at the same time, be an entrepreneur. In fact, I never planned to be a long-term doctor. I just want it to be kind of like a "safety net" for life while I build businesses.

Regarding the once-in-a-lifetime experience, I feel it can be obtained once I become successful in life. I can still get the experience at age 50, whereas the cost associated to get the MBBS from Australia isn't worth it in my opinion. Net income doesn't increase anyway.

-Shaun

P.S I'm sorry for your loss.
Hey limeuu,

Actually, I AM an Australian citizen. I have the rights to go to Australia and just create an Australian passport. If I do that, I lose my Malaysian citizenship which I value highly. I have until age 22 to decide which citizenship I want.

And yes, from what I've heard, it's very difficult to be admitted into Australian med-schools. Previously, I thought I could just decide which university I want to go and just go. Now that I've been exposed to some information, it's becoming clear that good med-schools CHOOSE the students.

Now what med-schools in Malaysia/Australia are good med-schools?

-Shaun

Does anyone here play indoor soccer/ field soccer often in Sydney? Desperately looking for people to play with as I will be moving to Sydney towards the end of February. Do drop me a PM! Thank you.

Btw, Zeke'stah I've been living in Adelaide for 2 years now, so feel free to PM me if you've anything you want to know and I'll try my best to provide you with the answers.

@zeke'stah If u wana save, u can go to cheaper options like K-Noodle. Got discount with student card. $5.40 for rice with  3 choices. There are several cheap chap fan places in adelaide. usually less than $8 for a large meal.

Yup. All of them are in the city. K-noodle is opposite target. They are all in rundle mall. Just walk everywhere when u arrive.

Yeah, meals are pretty affordable provided you know where to eat at. Places like Swinging Bowl ( Rundle Mall ) and the foodcourts at Chinta town will cost you about AUD7-8.

I don't actually think that there's a min amount needed provided you have the proper documents and what not. But you should check with the bank you want to open an account with.

I am actually leaving Adelaide for good on thursday, and I currently reside in the city @ west terrace, it's just a 5 mins walk from the campus you will be studying at looking from the information at your siggy. And oh yeah, you will have classes @ the Magill campus as well.

Oh yeah, just a tip though. Try not to find accommodations provided by Student Living Australia because they're pretty f***ed up.

Since you're into gym as well, I suggest paying World Gym and the Adelaide U gym a visit before signing up for Fitness First ( on Currie St ). But if you do decide to join FF, do look for a membership consultant named Maggie, she's a personal friend of mine and she'll give you the best deal around.
Rgds,

Kien

Oh? That's cuz the business school is @ City West and communication courses are taught at Magill. Where will you be staying at?

AUD14 p/week for off peak hours.

Damn you Kien, Brendan here! I dont know you visit LYN Congrats on ur graduation

Zeke, UniSA City East gym is not the best around, but for the price and ease of access (just go after class), that is my choice. The rate is AUD6 per use, AUD55 for 10 times, AUD85 for 3 months and theres another one for 6 months but i dont know whats the price. every basic weights/machines are there so if u arent fussy, its good enough.

For Bank, BankSA is pretty much the choice. I dont think there is a minimum amount, all you need is your passpord and student card. They will open a student account for you, free of charge for whatever usage for students. The ATM card acts as a debit card, so can use that for online shopping. 

and your friend Ms Su worked at K-Noodle. Go ask her

Oh hahahaha what a small world indeed! Thanks bro, see you around man. I am leaving for good tomorrow hahaaha, do holler if you do go to Sydney!
Oh, maybe that's because you're studying in SAIBT mate, most of the classes are held there regardless of what your major is.

Ah yeah, URBANEST is pretty neat but beware though it is situated directly opposite of the casino hahaha. GL HF

Will do, good luck! 

@Zeke
if u are worried about money then i think UniSA's the cheapest around Maybe stick to UniSA first and after a few months if u think its not up to par, or u arent that shocked about the 3X conversion rate anymore, then u can look for other alternatives.

The tram station is in the middle of the road, the casino is on the other side of the road. Down below the casino is the TRAIN station.

Please advise:

I applied for my student visa online on 30 December 2010, and yesterday my status read "health requirements finalised". There are no other documents/information outstanding, after having lodged required docs online on 4 January. Course starts 27th Jan. However, I am already booked to leave Malaysia on 17th, but will only get into Melbourne on 20th (layover 2 nights in Spore). IF my visa is still not out on the 18th, what should I do? Do I apply online for a ETA tourist visa first? If yes, what do I do when I get into Melbourne?

No idea what is holding up the application!? Thanks in advance!

If my processing centre is Perth WA, I doubt they will entertain my case.

i usually go for AUD85 for 3 months. 3 months is just nice fit into 1 Study Period (not sure how it is for SAIBT). that will be around AUD7 per week for 12 weeks. U can go check it out and see if it has the stuff that u need or not, but everything basic is there i believe.

I've been with UniSA gym for the past 2 years, simply because it is on campus and so much easy to access after class. Like i said u can go and visit these 2 and check them out yourselves then make your decision

Ahh.. got a bit relieved. I applied uni B and C, via QTAC [Around mid-Nov, and both institutions under QTAC are notified with my application] and uni D via SATAC [once my Aussie year 12 results are out - end of Dec, they gave me an auto-conditional offer and advised me not to do anything till they send unconditional offers into my email]. Uni A is based from forecast results and gave me a conditional offer in early Dec and later to unconditional after submitting my results.

AFAIK,
Offer rounds for QTAC - Tomorrow [13/1] for Uni B and [14/1] for Uni C, but doubt it will arrive on time due to floods in Brisbane. Just notified, pushes till 20th of Jan. OMG!.
SATAC [Uni D] - [14/1].
Offer from Uni A - [14/1] It was made final by the administration dept. No appeals will be entertained.

Main preference: Uni B. However, the entry requirements for Uni B is sorta high. My results are somehow pretty close behind the course I would like to enrol, after looking at the OP table provided by QTAC, thought my interstate results might be converted slightly higher and may stand a chance to get in. Just read an article involving some statistics and shows majority of QTAC applicants are highly interested in commerce, which hinted me that the competition is going to be real stiff. It doesn't really matter if I get accepted or not at the end of the day, I just want to find out what's their response. Afraid once if I accept other offers and pay in beforehand, and what if this offer comes in later, I would definitely remind myself that I've lost such a great opportunity. Eligible for Uni C and D by fulfilling entry requirements before the offer letter stamps my destiny.

Uni A is definitely the last or second last preference, in case if all 4 institutions do not accept me.

Preferences
Uni B> Uni C/E> Uni D/ Uni A.

Lol, I guess I'm a bit of risk-taker than playing safe for now.