[OpVJokl8]

I'm trying to decide which country to spend a semester in (Feb-June 2008). If Australia, I would probably end up at either Queensland or Deakin. If New Zealand, then Auckland University. Please post your thoughts and I would especially appreciate input from locals.

Thanks

[sPncEjF7]

Auckland FTW

[Si8jy8HN]

Well... how about doing a wiki?

Deakin is in Melbourne. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland

If you're at the Uni of QLD at the StLucia campus then you're in Brisbane... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane

[Si8jy8HN]

Considering you're from New York... are you wanting to try and live in a smaller city? or would you rather feel comfortable in a big city?

I'd personally pick between Melbourne or Brisbane. Perhaps with Melbourne getting the upper hand.

In terms of universities and what they offer I have no idea. You will have to look at their websites.

[NerbuitW]

Of the two countries, to be honest, I'd go Australia. Whether to pick Brisbane or Melbourne, well that depends on your own priorities. Both are pretty big, clean, safe and boast excellent public transportation networks. Rent wise, I have a feeling Brisbane might work out a little cheaper for you though.

On thing that may matter to you is that Melbourne has a very pleasant temperate climate while Brisbane has a pretty humid subtropical thing going. Don't know if that matters to you but the heat has always bugged the crap out of me when visiting Brisbane. Though, you'll be there in the cooler part of the year so that may not really matter too much. Surfers Paradise does have some pretty nice beaches to complement that warmer weather though...

As for the Universities themselves, well I don't personally know much about either but UQ is ranked as being a much better university, 2nd in all of Oceania compared to only 29th place for Deakin. After a little reading on both, UQ sounds like the preferable option to me.

[esdfsdflast]

What is your subject going to be?
Weather here doesn't get too hot or too cold but can be quite humid as it's surrounded by water.
Education wise, you may be better off in Aussie as the stupid government here doesn't seem to value education and budgets are tight - my sister is a financial manager for one of the Uni schools (science, I think) and money is always a concern.

Overall, the people are good, though - apart from the twats coping the US trends.

[Si8jy8HN]

UQ is ranked as being a much better university, 2nd in all of Oceania compared to only 29th place for Deakin. After a little reading on both, UQ sounds like the preferable option to me.

With that in mind, if you are serious about the education then perhaps Brisbane is the go!

I haven't been to Brisbane, however been to the Gold Coast which is only 80km (south) away. Nice place, nice girls, and it does have nice sub-tropical weather. Pictures of Brisbane look nice.

However if you can't stand humidity and perhaps want something cooler Melbourne would certainly feel a little cool by the time it's June.

As for Auckland... I heard sheep roam the streets at night mugging people! [shocked]

[esdfsdflast]

As for Auckland... I heard sheep roam the streets at night mugging people! [shocked]

A foul lie - just got to watch out for stupid drunks looking for a fight - easy to spot/deal with and wannabe gangsta Island and Maori punks.

[elalmhicabalp]

If you are looking for a cultural experience the Queensland experience is further from NY than Melbourne. Queenslanders will be closer to sterotypical Australian's, while Melbourne has a very European edge. Personally I prefer Melbourne over Brisbane. Brisbane girls are better looking though

[OpVJokl8]

Well, humidity is a mortal enemy of mine. What season will it be Feb-June? Will it be going from warm to cool in those months? I don't really care about the academics of these schools as I am hoping to be able to treat this as a vacation, with school as the second priority. That makes the location and weather conditions more important than their academic standing.

Thanks for all the responses.

[elalmhicabalp]

Feb to June is Summer to Winter. Brisbane will be great around early March on. Melbourne will be very cold in Winter, not snowing, but not T-shirt weather like in Brisbane during Winter [thumbup]
But I'm guessing coming from NY, Melbourne's Winter will not bother you at all.

[huylibizonoff]

Australia no question. I found Auckland to be pretty boring (but to be fair, I wasn't there very long).

[Si8jy8HN]

Well if you don't like humidity and would prefer pants and jumper weather as it goes to winter, than Melbourne is got you.

Overall Melbourne is a nice place. However the drought has left Melbourne and its suburbs looking pretty dead when I was there January this year. It's amazing how ugly a place can look once the green is taken away.

[esdfsdflast]

Australia no question. I found Auckland to be pretty boring (but to be fair, I wasn't there very long).

I live there and in some ways you're right - depends on your interests though. If I could be bothered after work/on weekends, there's enough stuff going on to keep me flat out busy.
Probably still have to recommend the Aussie options though.

[RIjdrVs3]

well on an unrelated note doesnt NZ have a rather bitchin rally every so often?

[Si8jy8HN]

Australia owns the rights to everything that has to do with New Zealand anyhow. So if you end up in NZ that means we can claim that you came to Aus.

Well they drive Aussie cars, and have Aussie TV programs and stations. Only difference is they eat their fish with "chops" and to piss you off their restaurants tell you "we have run out of lamb", when you see a perfectly nice fluffy white ball (a sheep obviously) eating away at the hedge outside the window.

[DumnEuronoumn]

Brisbane/QLD is postcard Australia - sunny, surf, beaches, bikini's etc more of a holiday place than a place to live I believe.

Melbourne/VIC - is more cultural, probably more similar to New York. Probably somewhere I would go if it was for a longer period of time.

[chuviskkk]

If you have the oppotunity to come to Spain I certainly reccommend it. I know plenty of Americans who are doing 4 months over here at several universitys. Humidity here is not as bad as other more northern countries but the temperatures do creep higher.

I am here till 8th July which is about the time it really heats up, August will make an English summer look like a walk in the park!

Just a consideration you might want to factor in [yes]