Learn English in Sydney

Sydney

Sydney is a fantastic city to study in. With 4,000,000 people it is big enough to be interesting, while small enough to be safe and friendly. The central business district, where Greenwich College is located, is a busy and bustling area full of people. You can enjoy concerts, films, pubs, night-clubs, restaurants, cafes, operas, the ballet, live bands and more.

Weather

Sydney has a pleasant sub-tropical climate. In both winter and summer it is usually sunny and warm, with little rain and low humidity. In winter you might need a jumper or light coat, while in summer t-shirts are a good idea.

Beaches

There are over a dozen magnificent beaches less than half an hour from Greenwich College by bus or ferry. You can go swimming, surfing, fishing, diving and sailing. The harbour is a kilometre away from Greenwich and has attractive views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, there are also many waterside restaurants, bars and cafes nearby.

Parks

There also lots of attractive parks in Sydney. Hyde Park, which is a 2 minute walk from Greenwich, has beautiful old trees, fountains and green lawns to sit on. The Royal Botanic Gardens has over 45,000 plants and lovely views of the harbour; it's a great spot for a picnic. You can even bushwalk around the harbour, a 15 minute ferry ride from the city.

Nearby Sights

If you travel one hour out of the city you can see the Blue Mountains with its old forests, rivers and lakes, while to North and South of Sydney are miles of sandy beaches with crystal clear water.

Australian Travel

Sydney is also the ideal base from which to see the rest of Australia. It is half way between Melbourne and Brisbane, and a few hundred kilometres from Canberra. From Sydney you can easily see the wineries of the Hunter Valley, going skiing in the Alps, or visit national parks, or fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), desserts, rainforests and the barrier reef.

Student Jobs

The Australian economy is doing well, and unemployment is the best in 30 years (about 5%). Many students are able to find part-time jobs as waiters, kitchen hands, shop assistants, fruit pickers and office cleaners. Wages vary considerably, even for the same kind of work; it largely depends on individual employers. Most student jobs seem to pay between $8 and $15 an hour. If you have a trade or skills, (plumber, cook, carpenter, mechanic etc) then you will find job hunting easier and the pay is likely to be higher.

Prices

Here is a list of basic items in Sydney. Prices may vary slightly and you can sometimes gain discounts if you have a student card.

Prices of Everyday Items

NB Prices will vary slightly, but are a realistic indication of actual prices in October 2005.
* Prices listed here are for the full amount, most companies offer additional student discounts.