If you’re looking for an incredible international study experience, you can’t look further than Armidale, New South Wales.
Offering a delightful small-city vibe, amazing educational opportunities, a thriving urban scene and much more, it’s no wonder many international students love living in Armidale.
To find out more, we spoke to Viet San Le, an international student completing a Master of Science in Agriculture at the University of New England (UNE).
Read on to find out the seven things you need to know before moving to Armidale.
1. It’s safe and friendly
While Australia is generally considered a safe country, Armidale rates particularly highly on overall safety and lack of crime.
“Armidale is definitely a peaceful and safe place to live,” says San Le.
What’s more, the city has a vibrant multicultural community, which makes it easy for international students to feel at home. The population of Armidale is just under 30,000, making it a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of bigger cities while enjoying all the modern conveniences of urban life.
2. It has a world-class university
Living in a smaller city doesn’t mean you can’t get a fantastic education!
Armidale is home to UNE, which was established in 1938, making it the oldest university in Australia based outside of a capital city.
The Good Universities Guide has awarded UNE five stars for overall student experience for an incredible 18 years in a row, so you can be sure you’ll receive an excellent education.
3. It’s a thriving student city
With such fantastic educational opportunities, it’s no wonder that Armidale has gained a reputation for being a lively student city.
In fact, UNE hosts international students from more than 80 different countries. There are even lots of cool clubs and societies, making it easy for you to meet people who share your interests.
The city boasts an active nightlife district as well, with plenty of fun bars and restaurants. You’ll find lots of activities to get involved in, like sports and craft groups, as well as loads of arts and cultural events like exhibitions, concerts and festivals.
4. It’s really affordable
“If you are considering living costs as your top priority,” San Le says, “this city is the best choice for you.”
Housing is one of the biggest expenses for international students. The average rent in Armidale is just $440 per week for a house or $310 weekly for a unit. This is well below the national average of $627 a week.
UNE even has student accommodation in Armidale, which starts from just $165 per week. This rate includes utilities like electricity, water and Wi-Fi, making it a really affordable option.
5. The weather changes a lot!
San Le says one of his favourite things about living in Armidale is the temperate climate.
“The weather here is pleasant,” he explains.
You can expect to enjoy a warm summer, with temperatures reaching average highs of 26ºC to 30ºC. Winter can get quite chilly, too, with the thermometer diving as low as -7ºC but usually staying between 1ºC and 12ºC.
The huge variation in Armidale’s weather means you might even get the chance to see snow, so make sure you pack some warm clothes!
6. Job opportunities
Not only are part-time jobs a great way to earn some extra cash during your studies, but they can also help you meet new people and gain important skills for your future career.
Luckily, there are plenty of great jobs in Armidale for students. Popular jobs for students include retail assistant, barista, server, bartender and aged care worker. The biggest employers in Armidale include education and training, health care and social assistance, and agriculture, forestry and fishing, so keep an eye out for roles in these industries.
UNE has a range of support services to help you find part-time jobs for students in Armidale. The careers service includes a jobs board, a career toolkit and resources to help you with resume writing, interviews and employment skills.
7. It offers amazing visa benefits
If that isn’t enough, living in Armidale can even be your ticket to staying on in Australia! The city is classified as a regional area, which means you can benefit from a range of exciting visa opportunities.
For example, international student graduates can usually apply to stay for two to four additional years on a Temporary Graduate visa. However, if you’re based in a regional area, you can apply for a second Temporary Graduate visa once your first has expired, giving you an extra one to four years to live and work in Armidale.
There are also special benefits for migrants looking to settle in regional areas, making this the perfect choice if you hope to one day become a permanent resident or citizen of Australia.
Ready to launch your exciting adventure to Armidale, Australia? Check out the huge range of amazing courses on offer at UNE.
