1 year living in the world's #1 city 🇦🇺
Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺
Chosen by the Economist Intelligence Unit
as the most livable city in the world from 2011 to 2017
And in 2022, it was ranked in the Top 10.
Let's see what I've experienced living here
over the course of 1 year..
I can't deny that when I first arrived, I was like, wow, surrounded by nature, trees, and parks in every spot. It's a city that's great for relaxing and unwinding. Just sitting around and breathing in the fresh air here is already very enjoyable. It's a feeling that this is clean air without PM 2.5, and the weather is just right for Autumn 🍂, with an average of 15 - 25 degrees.
---We started our trip with a student visa---
We came to study the language for 6 months, and Melbourne is a multi-cultural city with students from many nationalities who come as classmates, allowing those who are shy about speaking English to gradually dare to talk to their friends because there are activities to do together, playing games, guessing words, and making sentences. It's a very fun activity. Guessing wrong or right is okay. And there will be a test every Friday to review the understanding and we will be able to take the test to the next level. There are everything from Beginner to Advanced.
The most fun time studying language is because we get to meet friends. The activities we like to do are BBQ by the river, hunting for delicious food at children's restaurants, going for a walk in the park, walking along the seaside, and finally, organizing a fun road trip because Melbourne is famous for having one of the most beautiful road trips in the world. Which is true. It's very beautiful, especially the Great Ocean Road. The view along the way is really the best. Plus, there are Kangaroos along the way. They are so cute. 🦘
That's not all. Melbourne also caters to Snow lovers ❄️ There are many places to play Ski, such as Mount Buller, Falls Creek, for those who love to play Ski ⛷️ I personally went to play at Falls Creek. The journey took about 5 hours. It was so beautiful that words can't describe it. It was worth going up there.
Now, when it comes to food, because Melbourne is a multicultural city, the food is also diverse. You can choose to eat anything. Easy to find, there are Thai restaurants and Thai grocery stores in almost every zone.
---About work and finding work---
We will walk to look at shops with Hiring signs, using the method of dropping off resumes. If they need people, they will contact us. Personally, I have tried working in Korean restaurants, Thai restaurants, and cafes. It is a fun and hard job because I have to divide my time between working and studying. Another job is being an Uber Eats Driver. I especially like it because I like cycling and enjoy the view. The weather is cool in winter, but it is very dangerous. I got a lot of wounds. And the hot weather in summer is also impossible to cycle. It depends on each person's preferences and lifestyle, what they are good at.
---But here there is a rule from July 1, 2023 onwards---
Students can work 48 hours per 2 weeks, which was previously unlimited during COVID, but the golden season is almost over in another 3 months..
Some people who come to study the language go back to work in Thailand, and some choose to continue their studies at a higher level. Being here is not so beautiful for some people. If you work and study at the same time, it is very difficult. Many people have to retreat because they cannot afford the expenses. Because the cost of living here is quite high. And limiting working hours in the next 3 months is definitely not good. Some people choose to save their pocket money to start working in Thailand.
But at least it's not a waste to come and live here. You will definitely gain language skills and practice survival skills. You will also be good at money management. Everything is an expense.
In the end, every experience will teach us to grow up and become much better. Giving yourself the opportunity to try new things in life really makes life more meaningful. And I just discovered that being away from home for a full year made me very homesick. And I just started having symptoms now. 🥹 I want to go back to Thailand tomorrow. I want to eat my grandma's cooking. Honestly, our home is the warmest place. But I can't argue with the quality of life and the weather here. That's the end of the review. 🤍
I encourage everyone to try new things.
Don't be afraid to start. It's a real life experience. ✌🏻
Baifern in Melbourne 🇦🇺
#Sharing from personal experience only
#StudyAbroad #roadtrips #Ski #Sea #melbourne #australia