======= Date Modified 16 Mar 2012 05:36:33 =======
Did anyone else respond to the advert on an academic jobs website from the University of South Australia?

More generally, what's it like working and living in Australia - I've always had notions for it but don't know anyone in Australia.

Anyone?

I'd even like to know a bit about what it's like to live and work in Australia for my own interest.

Maybe try Pjlu in a pm??

Thanks Ady. I haven't a clue who comes from where on here!!! I'll wait and see if I get a response to any of the spec emails I've sent first.

Delta, what sorts of things do you want to know about? Universities, general life style and culture, weather...housing, etc. I currently live in Tasmania, tiny, cold island state-absolutely beautiful but a little remote at times and population just over the 500 000 mark. My university is old by Australian standards (but not by British)-its main campus is sandstone built in colonial-convict times. Tasmania, while beautiful and currently sporting a great wine and food industry (in term's of vinyards, cafes, boutique hotels and restaurants, etc)can be conservative and a little reserved compared to most Australian states and cities.

South Australia has several universities- University of Adelaide is the older established university there (the sandstone one), then there is Flinders and the University of South Australia. They are all okay from my limited knowledge obtained through word of mouth or when scouting for courses and research degrees. Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia has a population (for the city) of just over a million people. It is quite a pretty city built on the Torrens river and currently one of the mosts affordable capitals for housing in Australia. It is surrounded by some really nice hills and very cute touristy spots. Has a tramline (single tram I think) that takes you to the beach and it is very HOT!!!! in summer. Really really hot at times. Mild but chilly in winter-no snow or anything like that. It has a really nice arts festival and styles itself on being artsy in general. Most the people Ive met from there over the years have been really nice. It prides itself on being one of the only designed cities in Australia-it was laid out on a grid and traffic is good (meaning it doesn't take too long to drive anywhere).

Other Australians sometimes say that Adelaide is boring and suburban (not saying this myself folks-just repeating local quips.

Other states have larger cities (Melbourne and Sydney to start), obviously not as big as London, but still what you would think of as large cities with thriving arts, cultural and industrial centres but they tend to be a bit more expensive to live in and more difficult to negotiate. Ive lived in Sydney and being very close to Victoria (in my tiny island state) get over to Melbourne quite regularly (cheap flight-and only one hour), so I love both cities but would find living there a little hectic myself-loved Sydney though when I was younger.

Brisbane is really sultry and hot-lived there and loved it but very very hot. Came from Perth in the west originally when a very young person-wish I had never left but now the mining boom has forced house prices to virtually unaffordable and Perth is a little isolated-hours by air and days by car-from anywhere else but amazing beaches and a great city in general. Darwin- totally different- the University there is interesting and the main cultural life of the place (in an Educational sense) apart from indigenous and Asian cultural influences-multi cultural place so indigenous and Asian influences are strong in Darwin. Have not visited or lived in Canberra but it seems nice enough from speaking to others- as the political capital of Australia-a little suburban from what Ive heard but certainly has its charms. I think that the distances (geographically speaking) and the climate would be what would impact on you most on arrival to Australia. I love it-was born in the UK with an English German family who initially found Australia to be quite different from UK and Europe-but I do love Australia but also know that some people coming here find it a little different. Sometimes people from Britain get an odd sort of culture shock-but then others absolutely love it.

I think the universities though are probably similar to universities in the UK. Have a sibling who is a professor in the US, she seems to think the US system is quite different to the UK and it seems quite different to Australian universities as well-when we ha

Sorry, tried to edit last post-usual types and can't fit last words in but it won't let me. :-)

pjlu,

That overview was fantastic - thank you and probably what I needed. I'm someone reluctant to leave my comfort zone but am fairly miserable as I've no job, don't envisage getting one here anytime soon, no real friends but have always hankered for Australia. I think now is the best time for me to try something new but although I admire people who can move in the hope of getting a job I couldn't as I need some form of security which would be a job to go to. All in you only live once and it's only a 24 hour flight away and so if it didn't work out I could come back. At least that's how I'm viewing it. Your overview was so good because I'm contacting all the university departments in my field and I'll go if or where there's a job but will only go if I can get a job. To be honest, I regret not trying this sooner. You've been brill and I may ask more questions, if you don't mind, should there be any progress.

======= Date Modified 16 Mar 2012 09:17:01 =======
No problems Delta. If I can help or know a bit about it then, I'm happy to respond.

Thank you. All the emails have been sent and so I'll just have to wait and see. I can but try...

Now to explore other avenues to get back into the world of work.

Hi Delta
I'm Australian and live in Australia so am happy to answer any questions. Pm is prob the best for me.

I guess the only thing that I can add to Pjlu's fantastic post is that planes go both ways. We might be at the bottom of the world, but in the scheme of thing, we are not really that far away if you need to get back :)

Thanks fm. Depending on what happens I might just take you up on your offer.

Hi Delta,
I also live in Australia, and would be happy to help if I can. Pjlu's summary is excellent. I am Australian but have lived and worked in several countries including the UK. I think if looking at it from a global persective, Australia is really very similar to the UK, it was a British colony after all, and most systems and institutions are based on the British ones, including the University system. But yes, of course there are also many differences in aspects of lifestyle and culture. More time at the beach for one thing ;). Let me know if there are any questions you'd like me to answer.

This is great - thank you. I'll have a sound body of knowledge to guide me should I need it. I'm delighted you're all stepping forward as I'm clueless!

Anyone else want to join the party?

Hi Delta,

Just to let you know, I recently moved from the UK to Western Australia (Perth), so if you have any questions regarding this part of Oz then let me know and I'll do my best to answer them!

Good luck with the search,
RLD

Thank you - so you made the move then? I hope it all works out and I'll certainly be posting for more advice if I can get something sorted and decide to go.