How Many Days To Christmas 2011 Australia?

What university/city should I study abroad at in Australia?

• I'm a female from Southern California and I'm planning on studying abroad in Australia during my junior year of college (February 2011). I was pretty set on The University of Melbourne for a while, but I read up on it, and most people say you can have 4 seasons in one day, and it's mostly a cultural place with a big city and night life (which is nice, but not exactly what I'm looking for). The thing about Uni Mel though is it has the best course options for me (Psychology major) so it's probably the best option for me academically. I really want to attend that university, but not at the expense of the other things I'm looking for during my study abroad experience. Can anyone help me a pick a university, or at least a city, based on the following criteria? (Or encourage me to study at Melbourne if you think I can find all of these there). -Friendly people who are easy to get along with and with whom I can make lifelong friends -easy access to tons of outdoors/adventurous activities (particularly SCUBA diving/snorkeling and other water activities... but also maybe hiking, beach days, activities like swimming with dolphins, sports) -sightseeing/nature (I LOVE natural sites, wild animals, landmarks) -beaches (I don't necessarily have to live right on the beach, but I would like easy access to it) -Warm and sunny weather (70-85 degrees is ideal!); I don't want to run into much cold/dreary weather -nightlife/partying isn't very important to me -I'm a psychology major The Universities I can pick from are: University of Melbourne - Melbourne, Australia University of Western Australia - Perth, Australia James Cook University - Queensland, Australia James Cook University - Cairns Campus - Queensland, Australia Edith Cowan University - Perth, Australia Central Queensland University - Queensland, Australia Griffith University - Gold Coast or Brisbane, Australia University of Newcastle - Newcastle, Australia University of Wollongong - Wollongong, Australia University of Technology Sydney - Sydney, Australia International School of Mgmt Sydney - Sydney, Australia University of Sydney - Sydney, Australia I want to have the best experience, and all of these criteria must be met for me to have it! I never want to have a boring day, if I can help it! I was hoping I would be able to find all of this while I study at Uni Mel but I'm not so sure anymore. =/ (I do, however, plan on traveling throughout much of Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji regardless of where I study... so please tell me if doing all that makes up for going to Melbourne). As a side note, Sydney sounded good to me initially of course, but I was turned off a little after reading about it... highest crime rate, too touristy, the people aren't as friendly as other places, overrated... please tell me if this is true or if these are all just rumors. Any advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

• Answer:

  Hey! I'm studying Psychology at Edith Cowan Uni in Perth, Western Australia. It is a beautiful campus, with a large outdoor cinema during those balmy, warm summer nights. The Lecturers and Professors are fabulous, always open and easy to talk to. I think anywhere in Aus you'll make friends, we're all easy going and fun loving! Oh and the beaches in Perth are the best around! I live at the beach in the summer, they are not crowded, white sand-picturesque! I did live in Melbourne for three years attended Swinburne Uni, it was great, not too good with the beaches or weather, but it is the cultural capital of Aus. Lots of clubs, bars, shows, quirky characters etc. Perth is more like a sleepy country city. Quieter. Oh and Melbourne has trams and trains for easy travel while Perth has trains only... If you like I can offer more information. It depends onwhat you like, I guess! Don't be scared, sweetie! You'll have a ball wherever you wind up! Aurelia xoxo