Brisbane is the bustling capital of Australia’s Sunshine State, Queensland. If you’ve ever wanted to study in Brisbane as an international student, here are ten reasons to choose ‘Brissy’.
1. Brisbane is full of life
In Brisbane, every day is like a celebration. The city is packed to the brim with vibrant shopping arcades, bustling bars, beautiful historical landmarks, sun-soaked beaches and thriving music and arts scenes. If that’s not enough to get you excited, the weather surely will. In Brissy, the climate is comfortably warm – the city has nearly 300 sunny days per year.
2. Brisbane is a warm, welcoming and inclusive city
Brisbane is a warm city in more ways than one. Perhaps thanks to the city’s relaxed vibe, locals are generally incredibly friendly, easygoing and open-minded – so you’re sure to have many opportunities to make local friends if you study in Brisbane.
In fact, the city of Brisbane hosts the free City Welcome Festival each year, Australia’s largest orientation festival for international students. You’ll find cultural activities, student exhibitions and support services to assist you with making connections at the festival. You can also check out the Lord Mayor’s International Student Friendship Ceremony. It includes a meet, greet, photo with – and signed Welcome Certificate from – Brisbane’s Lord Mayor.
3. Brisbane is colourful, diverse and multicultural!
As one of the fastest growing cities in Australia, wherever you go in Brisbane, you’re sure to be surrounded by strong, colourful and diverse communities. You only need to take a glance at Brisbane’s jam-packed calendar to see what we mean. Big multicultural celebrations include the BrisAsia Festival, the Spanish Film Festival, the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, Cinco de Mayo, Paniyiri Greek Festival, the India Day Fair, and the Luminous Lantern Festival… and that’s not even the half of it! There’s also a whole month during the year that celebrates multiculturalism in Brisbane!
4. Brisbane is awesome, even on a budget
Brisbane is great value for students, as the fourth most affordable city for students in Australia. The median price of rent is the 3rd lowest of Australia’s capital cities at $436 (AUD) per week. What’s more, if you study in Brisbane, there are plenty of things to do on the cheap. Brisbane promises plenty of beaches, lots of live music, and many different cultural attractions, including Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA – Australia’s largest collection of modern art). Many are completely free to visit, which is perfect on a student budget!
5. Brisbane is Australia’s most sustainable city
With more than 2,000 green parks and over 2,500 species of plant-life, Brisbane is becoming famous across Australia for its immense biodiversity. It’s paradise for anyone wanting to study close to nature. In particular, the lush City Botanic Gardens right beneath the breathtaking Mt Coot-tha contains rainforest glades, bamboo groves and scenic lily ponds. It’s a popular green haven and the perfect place for a picnic or study session.
6. The arts and culture scene is exciting, expansive, and pushes boundaries
Don’t forget to explore Brisbane’s major cultural institutions, including the impressive Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Museum and SparkLab, Brisbane Powerhouse, and the Maritime Museum. The impressive Wheel of Brisbane in South Bank offers 360-degree panoramic views for those brave enough to go to the top! For more underground arts culture, the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts (known as ‘The Judy’ to locals), is loved for its regular theatre, cabaret and music events.
7. It’s very close to some major Aussie tourist attractions!
Have you planned your Australian Backpacker Bucketlist yet? If you study in Brisbane, you will have a big advantage when it comes to visiting Australia’s major attractions. Brisbane is close to the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Forest, brilliant beaches and famous theme parks.
8. Everyone talks about the live music scene
The live music scene in Brisbane is well-known across Australia for supporting musical talent. Fortitude Valley is where you’ll find a vast array of exciting underground bars and live music performances, showcasing groundbreaking artists. Every year, Fortitude Valley also comes alive for the annual BIGSOUND Music Festival and Industry Conference – the largest annual music event of its kind in Australia. It hosts a massive line-up of singers, artists and industry professionals. New Farm’s Brisbane Powerhouse, a former power station turned arts centre, also showcases a wide range of artists, acts and performances.
9. Brisbane’s beach culture is breathtaking
You can’t talk about Brissy without mentioning its beautiful sun-soaked beaches. Bribie Island offers some of Queensland’s most gorgeous stretches of sand, and Ocean Beach is a must-visit surf spot. Here, you’ll find learn-to-surf classes running most days. Also check out Cylinder Beach, Frenchman’s Beach and Main Beach at North Stradbroke Island, each around 40 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD. Surfside and Honeymoon Bay at Moreton Island, around 25km off Brisbane’s shore, are also worth a visit.
10. Brisbane brings opportunity
If you keep a keen eye out, Brisbane offers plenty of scholarships, internships and employment opportunities for international students. Plus, the education is world-class. From the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University, to the many other colleges available, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting the right place to study in Brisbane.
Take it from us; when it comes to affordability, great education and fun in the sun, vibrant Brisbane absolutely shines.
