G’day,
We hope you are excited to start your new adventure at Greenwich College in Australia. We wanted to send you a warm welcome along with some useful tips for your first days here at Greenwich College and in Australia.
| BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA |
Here is a list of documents you might need at some stage during your stay. You might want to make sure you have copies of and/or digital access to these:
- valid passport with valid visa copy
- offer letter from Greenwich College
- Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) issued by Greenwich College (if you hold student visa)
- emergency contact details: contact person in your country AND here in Australia (e.g. your agent, a friend, a partner, a family member or relative)
Other things to consider:
- universal adapter and chargers for your devices
- credit and/or debit card
- original or certified copies of your academic transcripts and qualifications
- other personal identification documents, e.g. birth certificate, ID card, driver’s licence
- medical records and/or prescriptions
- your English CV/resume
- check which season it is as the weather can vary considerably depending on the location and time of the year: Weather
- check the home affairs website for customs regulations
- consider opening a bank account before you arrive; the following banks are the most common ones: Commbank, ANZ, Westpac and NAB, or compare HERE
- make sure you know your visa conditions and work rights and obligations
- find a place to stay for the first few days: Airbnb, Hostelworld, Hotels, Booking.com
- budget for the initial costs of establishing yourself; this may include:
- public transport
- food and drink
- short-term accommodation
- bond (usually 2-4 week’s rent) and one month’s rent in advance
To get an idea of what to expect, use the Cost of Living Calculator.
Now, packing and organising aside. Do you remember that you received an invitation to complete our free online course Australian Survival English? If you haven’t checked it out yet, now is the time as this will kick-start your journey Downunder. Click here to log in (search support@mg1.edapp.com email in your inbox to get your login details).
And just before you go, check out some useful tips below for when you set foot on Australian soil.
| WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA |
Once you arrive in Australia, there are a few things you can do straightaway:
- Plan for a few rest days before you get started (if possible) as a lot of travelers experience jet lag
- Get a public transport card at the airport: Opal card (Sydney), Myki (Melbourne), Go Card (Brisbane/Gold Coast), SmartRider card (Perth)
- Choose a mobile phone provider: We have partnered with Circles.Life that offers affordable phone plans using the Optus network! You can pick up your free sim card at reception when you come for your orientation
- And one more thing to bear in mind: Aussie Slang - check out this link with useful Aussie slang expressions to get you through the first days: Aussie Slang.
Alrighty, this is all for now. We will send you more information about your Greenwich orientation day, the link for the placement test and useful tips for your first days in Australia one week before your course start date. Safe travels and see you on the other side. Cheers, mate!
