Local information

Australia is an impressive mix of modern and untouched spaces spread out in a sparsely populated continent. Australia offers unlimited oppotunities to discover its stunning landscapes. Cities are located on the coasts whereas the rest of the island is an unexplored land without boundaries. In the cities, the life style is very Anglo-Saxon. Australians are also very passionate sportsmen and one can find all kinds of sports practiced around the country such as surfing, tennis, rugby, etc...
Smokers are not very welcome since Australians are health conscious.
The style of the campuses follows that of a Californian campus: small cities with huge green spaces, very high tech, very sports-oriented but there is also an emphasis on cultural activities (movies, theater, exhibitions, and concerts... .)
There are a number of student associations that are very active and easy to find.
The 50 000 foreign students that come every year are welcomed by all campuses. An international relations officer on each campus guides the newcomers throughout their stay in Australia. It is important to point out that Australian universities are quite cosmopolitan with a very strong Asian presence.

Weather and seasons:
The weather varies from one region to the next (from tropical to temperate) but generally throughout the year it is very nice and agreeable.
Summer: From December to March.
Winter: From June to September.

Distances:
The large scale of this continent makes distances between the cities very considerable. The plane is the best means of transportation. Travelling around can take a very long time.
Some examples:
Sydney/Melbourne: 1 hour 5 minutes by plane.
Sydney/Melbourne: 15 hours by car.

Practical information:
Currency: Australian Dollar ($A)
Equivalent (15 March 2001): 1A$ = 0,55 Euro = 0,50 $
Phone code: 00 + (61) + regional code + N°