Best Regional Area in Australia for International Students: Cairns

Many international students looking to study in Australia aren’t aware of the government’s initiative to support regional areas. As a result, they miss out on so many wonderful opportunities and incentives. However, this article will explain why many international students should choose regional areas in Australia and most specifically, Cairns. 

Did you know that the largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is located in Cairns? The Wet Tropics Rainforest is also located in Cairns and these two attractions alone pull in millions of tourists annually. But you’re probably asking yourself, is that all there is to Cairns and what about education? Those are good questions and to answer them, here are 4 reasons for international students to study in Cairns.

COST OF LIVING

Starting with one very important factor for many international students, the cost of living. As an international student, you want to live in a city that is teeming with life, fun activities yet inexpensive. This is what you get from living in Cairns. What Cairns offers students is the perfect blend of exceptional education (more on that later), a wonderful climate, and a pollution-free environment all at a lower cost of living. 

Accommodation and living costs are lower in Cairns and because you are allowed to work while studying, your salary can help you sustain your living expenses. This makes Cairns a perfect and attractive destination for students looking to stand on their own two feet. 

QUALITY EDUCATION

You have heard the saying “it's too good to be true”, however, this is the opposite with Cairns. Not only are you getting to live in a place that is affordable and lovely, but you also get a quality education. Hence, you won’t have to sacrifice one for the other, you get the best of both worlds.

Furthermore, students can begin their studies in Cairns through a short Study Tour at school or at an English Language College. There are many opportunities for long-term study either at a Vocational Education Training College or at one of the two prestigious universities in Cairns. This city is also growing as a global hub for academic excellence in courses such as Tropical Health & Medicine, Marine Science, Engineering, Aviation, Agriculture, Tourism & Hospitality, Creative Arts, Mining, Research and more.

James Cook University is ranked in the top 2% of the world’s tertiary institutions while Central Queensland University is esteemed for being one of Australia’s most progressive and innovative universities.

WORLD-CLASS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Besides wonderful education, Cairns is popularly known for its world-class tourist attractions. If you love nature, Cairns is a great place for you to live. It really is as simple as that. Some of the wonderful natural beauties of the world can be found in Cairns. You can find the Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics Rainforest and Daintree Rainforest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will find creeks, rainforest tracks and beaches here and with a boat trip, you can enjoy a waterfall, mountain hike or explore the reef.

Without wanting to spoil too much, here are a few other activities you can enjoy in Cairns; bungy jumping, white water rafting, paragliding, kayaking, surfing, scuba diving taking a scenic railway or a rainforest cableway. There are also cultural attractions like the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park which tells the stories of the indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Essentially, Cairns is the total package and there is something for everyone. 

A MULTICULTURAL AND SOCIAL CITY

You are probably tired of hearing how multicultural Australia is but the truth is, that is what makes this great country so outstanding. No matter what city you choose, you won’t ever feel like an outsider. There are more than 160,000 people from many nations living in Cairns, and that’s without counting the over 2.4m visitors and tourists from across the globe each year. 

This is a modern, culturally-diverse, safe community and progressive modern city. Cairns also has an impressive range of public and sporting facilities, cultural precincts and annual events. International students will thrive in Cairns because of how welcoming the locals are to students from all over the world. Many local families open their homes to students who are staying on short and longer-term stays. This gives you the chance to acclimate better.

However, if you want to be independent and live alone, Cairns offers a great variety of affordable housing options close to the city center and other tourist destinations.

HEADING OUT?

Choosing a regional area can be a tough decision to make especially since there are many options to pick from. However, you can decide where you want to study if you know what you like and what you enjoy as a student. Are you a fan of nature and love outdoor activities? Cairns is perfect for you. 

But if you still have trouble making up your mind, that’s okay because we can help you. Schedule a meeting with our friendly expert consultants and we’ll make sure you enrol in the course, college and city that suits you best.