藤勇，johnathon，在艾迪国际广州谢杭东老师的帮助下，顺利进入澳大利亚弗林德斯大学（Flinders University）会计专业学习。目前实习于四大会计事务所之毕马威华振会计师事务所（KPMG）。

在澳洲多年的学习、生活经验，让藤勇对留学澳洲有了深刻的认识和体会，他希望自己的切身经历，给即将赴澳留学的中国同学提供一些切实有用的帮助。

以下是藤勇为同学们送上的一些感受和建议。

Advices from a current student in Australia

Summarize some key points that you want to tell the forthcoming students how to cope with their study and life as a foreign student

 from johnathon

Preparation

Most students and parents would be concerned and anxious about going oversea and living in a completely new environment which is far away from home.  On my point of view, Australia is a very friendly and safe country. It is beautiful, rich, stable, and fair, and the people are very nice. People enjoy freedom and equal opportunity in this country. There is no need to panic, as long as the student has good self-esteem and self-control.

Many students would pack a lot of stuff before going to Australia. They even want to move the whole world there. Actually, you can buy everything from the supermarkets, shopping centres and retail stores in Australia. If you want to buy some Chinese medicine and some traditional Chinese food and commodity, all you need to do is to dig deep in China Town. There is no need to bring the whole world with you, just bring the essential stuff, but do not forget to bring a good bilingual dictionary.

The most important thing is English!!! The students must have good English communication skill BEFORE going to Australia. They can attend the English classes to improve their speaking and listening.

It is important to understand the culture and background of the country and the people before going there. Students can learn it from books, travel brochures or movies.

Arrival

Most students will stay in home-stay when they first arrive. I think this is the best thing to start with. They should arrange a good LOCAL family to stay with, so they can improve their English and get to know the society quickly.

As I have mentioned before, there is no need to panic. This is a wonderful country, and the people are nice. Do no hesitate to ask questions politely if you have any problems, but please emphasize on the word ‘politely’. Do not forget to say thank you all the time.

Manner

A wonderful country has wonderful people, and the wonderful people have wonderful manners. The most obvious problem for the new arrival is manner. ‘Excuse me’, ‘sorry’, ‘thank you’, ‘please’, are the most common word that can be heard all the time anywhere in Australia. A good English speaker should know how to speak English politely, including the phrases and the tone. Put some hard work on this, because the first impression always counts. They should also pay attentions to the things that shouldn’t be done in Australia, such as finger pointing, yelling in public and jumping the queue. Do not worry! You will learn one after another when you are here, as long as you have an open mind and the enthusiasm to learn.

State of Mind

I strongly suggest that the students must change their mindset quickly from that of a dependent well-spoilt child to that of an independent aspiring man/lady. You will be on your own in the foreign country. You will have to do everything yourself. Do not be scared, ‘screw it! I can do it!!!’ is how you should say it.

Accommodation & Diet

Home-stay is a good way to start with. Most students move out from home-stay to share or rent a residential property with their friends after a certain time of period. The rents differ from $170 to $300 a week for units or flats, and from $180 to $600 a week for houses or fancy apartments.

Some students cannot get used to the diet here. However, they can always go to China Town to buy food or eat. The public transports are very convenient from and to China Town because China Town is usually built in the middle of the CBD. You should give it a try of different styles of food, Italian, Greek and even African food is very nice.

Transports

Bus, train and tram are the most common public transports in Australia. Taxi cabs are sometime expensive but they are very convenient because they can be booked anytime anywhere. Most people would prefer to buy cars after they get familiar with the roads and directions. There are very strict laws against illegal driving, be a good and polite drive in here, or take the public transport…

Study & Schools or Universities

The teachers usually do not push the students to study, it is all about self-discipline. I guarantee that you will get an outstanding grade if you put some hard work in, because the topics are often very practical and easy to understanding.

Private colleges usually have better reputation but also are more expensive for oversea students. State schools are good too and they are cheaper than private colleges.

Universities provide very practical and flexible learning environment, and most of them provide vocation and employment services.

For further information please visit their websites and brochures.

Social Behaviour & Friends

Australian people are very friendly and they love socialize with people. Do not be afraid to talk to people politely and friendly, usually you will get some good responses. I suggest that you should make as many GOOD friends as possible. In here, good means responsible, considerate, and good hobbies and behavior. You should be willing to provide help because you will get the same in return when you need it.

Do not even think of going astray. There is no going back once you turn yourself into trouble. The law is very strict here, and you should be responsible for yourself and your parents.

Sports & Activities

This is a sporty nation, almost everyone loves sport. Playing sports is good for your heath and it gives you better opportunity to get to know people and improve your English and communication skills.

People often have parties here. Please feel confident to join them and express yourself freely. Do not drink too much though.

Leisure & Entertainment

Dancing, party, sport, travel, dine out, movie, golf and beaches are most common leisure activities here. Please try not to gamble or binge drinking…

Work & Expenses

There are many work opportunities in this country. Whether you can get a good job or not, it solely depends on your own effort and ability. Please try your best, study hard, work hard, do not let go of any opportunity, and then play hard!

The living standard in Australia is higher than most cities in China in comparison. You will expect that the living expenses will also be more expensive compared to China. For example, a can of coke costs RMB 3 Yuan in China, but it costs $2 in Australia which is equivalent to RMB 12 Yuan.

Law & Society

The law is very strict in Australia. You’re expected to obey the law all the time. This is a well-ordered and well-mannered society. People will be friendly and polite to you if you do the same.

Drugs & Safety Issues

It is good that parents are no long being able to control you, it is freedom!!! This is what you might have in mind already isn’t it? Yes indeed, you’re absolutely right, but you’re the one who’s in control of yourself now. Are you responsible? Do you have good behavior? Will you be able to be aware of a situation that you must not get involved?

There are some very serious behavior issues on oversea students in Australia. Do not try or take illegal drugs. You must have good self-control and self-discipline, be responsible to yourself.

Drink driving is another serious issue. Do not drive if you drink.

Do not drive without a valid license or you will probably end up in jail for 2 years and you will be restricted from entering Australia forever.

Do not join a gang, they are not good people and you cannot get out of it once you join.

Do not go to the remote areas without informing the local authorities.

Do not gamble! Even if you do, limit your expenses on gambling!

Remember, there is no ‘take two’ in life, do not go astray.

Goal & Commitment

Write down your goal! Put it in a place that you can see it the first time when you wake up every morning and before you sleep. It is very expensive to study at overseas. Your parent’s money does not drop from the sky. Do not waste any bit of this wonderful opportunity. Once you have made the decision of going overseas, it means that you have chosen the ambitious destiny and you have changed your life forever. Make a commitment and do not let go of it. As lone as you try your best and do not give up, any realistic goals will be achieved, anything can be done.

There are too many other things I would love to share with you. Good luck!

Many thanks to Mr. William Xie, Ms. Lilly Li and Ms. Christine Du. You are my inspiration. Thank you very much for all your help and support.