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Australia Vs. North American Vet Schools
- Thread starter HAWAIIVET2011
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Go to the cheapest school you can, and the one that will get you graduated in the fewest years. I certainly don't regret going overseas for school, but that's because -- for me -- Massey fit the two criteria above. Since you have your pre-requisites under your belt, your situation is different.
I think experiencing Australasia has been interesting, but it's not worth spending extra money on if you don't have to. Plan for a trip after graduation -- it'll be a lot cheaper than living there for 5 years. 🙂
I think experiencing Australasia has been interesting, but it's not worth spending extra money on if you don't have to. Plan for a trip after graduation -- it'll be a lot cheaper than living there for 5 years. 🙂
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I agree. I almost studied abroad in australia in undergrad and would absolutely love to live over there. I did look at vet schools and I just could not justify spending over double each year compared to my IS school.
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I'm going to the cheapest IS AVMA accreditted vet school in the country. We have an ocean coast. In the past 2 years I have been to the ocean thrice, each time vet related. A few students have been 3-6 times a year. It isn't because we don't love the ocean (heck, I worked out to sea for a year+), just that taking time away from studies for ocean excursions is difficult.
It is 4 years. most of those 4 years you will be in a lecture hall, a hospital, or a barn. You will get occasional oppurtunities to do really amazing things, possibly at the ocean if one is within driving distance (whale necropsy, hundreds of sea turtles necropsies, sea turtle tag & release.) If the point is to go to an ocean side to relax and revitalize, your best oppurtunities will be during breaks and you can always fly to one.
I say this knowing that I intend to work in clinics in sea side towns. I have lived at the coast (literally out my back door) and know the deep joy of walking next to the ocean several times a day...how centered that makes the world for me. But I'd rather be centered with less than a total debt load of 100k and having my career where I want vs centered and worried about ever affording to live in a coastal town with closer to 300k in debt.
It is 4 years. most of those 4 years you will be in a lecture hall, a hospital, or a barn. You will get occasional oppurtunities to do really amazing things, possibly at the ocean if one is within driving distance (whale necropsy, hundreds of sea turtles necropsies, sea turtle tag & release.) If the point is to go to an ocean side to relax and revitalize, your best oppurtunities will be during breaks and you can always fly to one.
I say this knowing that I intend to work in clinics in sea side towns. I have lived at the coast (literally out my back door) and know the deep joy of walking next to the ocean several times a day...how centered that makes the world for me. But I'd rather be centered with less than a total debt load of 100k and having my career where I want vs centered and worried about ever affording to live in a coastal town with closer to 300k in debt.
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Okay, here are the budgets I found on all the schools websites...unfortunately for me, they are not very different....even Davis (which is not my first choice) is not that far off from other schools and that is IS! So, since they are technically all going to cost me about the same...(yes even for flights due to the fact that I live on an island)...all things considered somewhat equal....States or Australia?
U of Sydney
Tuition: $44,000 per year Australian dollars
Arriving in Sydney
Expense/Item International student living on-campus International student living off-campus Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) Temporary Hostel Room (one week) $250
($35 p/night) $700
($100 p/night) Furniture rental (one year) $2,080+
($40 p/week) $3,120+
($60 p/week) Connecting gas, electricity, phone and internet $340 $340 Rental bond (refundable) $600 to $1,200 (4 weeks rent:$150 to $300+) $1,400 to $2,000 (4 weeks rent: $350 to $500+) Residential College bond (refundable) $900 TOTAL ARRIVAL $900 $3,270 to $3,870 $5,560 to $6,160 Living Expenses (per year)
Expense/Item International student living
on-campus International student living
off-campus Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) Rent $9,360 to $15,600
($180 to $300+ p/week for single room) $18,200 to $26,000 ($350 to $500+ p/week for small flat) Services (gas, electricity, phone, Internet) $1,820
($35 p/week) $2,340
($45 p/week) Food/groceries $3,640
($70 p/week) $8,840
($170 p/week) Residential College (rent, meals, services & other fees) $18,980
($365 p/week aproximate for single room/shared amenities) TOTAL LIVING $18,980 $14,820 to $21,060 $29,380 to $37,180 On Going Expenses (per year).
Expense/Item International student living
on-campus International student living
off-campus
Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) Public transport $780
($15 p/week) $1248
($24 p/week) $1664
($32 p/week) Health cover $370 $370 $740 Entertainment $3120
($60 p/week) $3120
($60 p/week) $5200
($100 p/week) Photocopies/prints $500 $500 $500 Paper/printer ink/textbooks $500 $500 $500 Personal items $500 $500 $1200 Emergency $500 $500 $1000 TOTAL ONGOING $6,270 $6,738 $10,804 TOTAL EXPENSES
TOTAL EXPENSES PER YEAR $26,150 (aprox) $24,428 (aprox) $45,744 (aprox) Other possible expenses Childcare $70 Per day Additional school expenses $100 per month
TOTAL EXPENSES FOR A SINGLE STUDENT
Year 1 : $44,000 + $24,428 = $68,428 (Au)
Year 2-5: $44,000 + $21,738 = $65,738 (Au)
UC DAVIS
(in-state tuition, out of state must add $12,245 to expenses each year)
Cost of Attendance
2010-11 Estimated Veterinary Student Expense Budgets
1st Year (10 months)
2nd Year (10 months)
3rd Year (10 months)
4th year (12 months)
Registration Fees
$30,246
$30,246
$30,246
$33,720
Books & Supplies
$3,856
$2,247
$3,385
$4,457
Housing
$9,385
$9,385
$9,385
$11,262
Food
$3,794
$3,794
$3,794
$4,553
Personal
$2,419
$2,419
$2,419
$2,904
Transportation
$1,831
$1,831
$1,831
$2,196
TOTAL
$51,531
$49,922
$51,060
$59,092
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Veterinary Medicine Non-Sponsored (non-sponsored students will be considered non-sponsored for all FOUR years of the program; you will not be able to to qualify for residency).
Tuition & General Fees
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Budget for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
$42,010.00
Fees
$40.00
Vaccinations
$594.00
Estimated Cost
Books & Supplies
$2,000.00
Room & Board
$11,825.00
Transportation
$3,248.00
Personal Expenses
$4,972.00
Grad Plus Loan Fee
$520.00
Total
$22,565.00
TOTAL COST $65,209.00
Tuition
$42,010.00
Fees
$40.00
Item
Estimated Cost
Books & Supplies
$1,750.00
Room & Board
$11,825.00
Transportation
$3,248.00
Personal Expenses
$4,972.00
Grad Plus Loan Fee
$520.00
Total
$22,315.00
TOTAL COST $64,365.00
$42,010.00
Fees
$40.00
Item
Estimated Cost
Books & Supplies
$1,750.00
Room & Board
$11,825.00
Transportation
$7,578.00
Personal Expenses
$4,972.00
Wireless Card
$360.00
Grad Plus Loan Fee
$520.00
Total
$27,005.00
TOTAL COST $69,055.00
Tuition
$42,010.00
Fees
$40.00
Graduation Fee
$200.00
Item
Estimated Cost
Books & Supplies
$1,750.00
Room & Board
$11,825.00
Transportation
$7,578.00
Personal Expenses
$4,972.00
National Boards
$500.00
Grad Plus Loan Fee
$520.00
Total
$27,145.00
TOTAL COST $69,395.00
U of Sydney
Tuition: $44,000 per year Australian dollars
Arriving in Sydney
Expense/Item International student living on-campus International student living off-campus Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) Temporary Hostel Room (one week) $250
($35 p/night) $700
($100 p/night) Furniture rental (one year) $2,080+
($40 p/week) $3,120+
($60 p/week) Connecting gas, electricity, phone and internet $340 $340 Rental bond (refundable) $600 to $1,200 (4 weeks rent:$150 to $300+) $1,400 to $2,000 (4 weeks rent: $350 to $500+) Residential College bond (refundable) $900 TOTAL ARRIVAL $900 $3,270 to $3,870 $5,560 to $6,160 Living Expenses (per year)
Expense/Item International student living
on-campus International student living
off-campus Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) Rent $9,360 to $15,600
($180 to $300+ p/week for single room) $18,200 to $26,000 ($350 to $500+ p/week for small flat) Services (gas, electricity, phone, Internet) $1,820
($35 p/week) $2,340
($45 p/week) Food/groceries $3,640
($70 p/week) $8,840
($170 p/week) Residential College (rent, meals, services & other fees) $18,980
($365 p/week aproximate for single room/shared amenities) TOTAL LIVING $18,980 $14,820 to $21,060 $29,380 to $37,180 On Going Expenses (per year).
Expense/Item International student living
on-campus International student living
off-campus
Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) Public transport $780
($15 p/week) $1248
($24 p/week) $1664
($32 p/week) Health cover $370 $370 $740 Entertainment $3120
($60 p/week) $3120
($60 p/week) $5200
($100 p/week) Photocopies/prints $500 $500 $500 Paper/printer ink/textbooks $500 $500 $500 Personal items $500 $500 $1200 Emergency $500 $500 $1000 TOTAL ONGOING $6,270 $6,738 $10,804 TOTAL EXPENSES
TOTAL EXPENSES PER YEAR $26,150 (aprox) $24,428 (aprox) $45,744 (aprox) Other possible expenses Childcare $70 Per day Additional school expenses $100 per month
TOTAL EXPENSES FOR A SINGLE STUDENT
Year 1 : $44,000 + $24,428 = $68,428 (Au)
Year 2-5: $44,000 + $21,738 = $65,738 (Au)
UC DAVIS
(in-state tuition, out of state must add $12,245 to expenses each year)
Cost of Attendance
2010-11 Estimated Veterinary Student Expense Budgets
1st Year (10 months)
2nd Year (10 months)
3rd Year (10 months)
4th year (12 months)
Registration Fees
$30,246
$30,246
$30,246
$33,720
Books & Supplies
$3,856
$2,247
$3,385
$4,457
Housing
$9,385
$9,385
$9,385
$11,262
Food
$3,794
$3,794
$3,794
$4,553
Personal
$2,419
$2,419
$2,419
$2,904
Transportation
$1,831
$1,831
$1,831
$2,196
TOTAL
$51,531
$49,922
$51,060
$59,092
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Veterinary Medicine Non-Sponsored (non-sponsored students will be considered non-sponsored for all FOUR years of the program; you will not be able to to qualify for residency).
Tuition & General Fees
$21,696
Support Fee $29,000
Room & Board (Living Expenses) $8,324
Books & Supplies $1,404
Personal & Miscellaneous $1,692
Health Insurance $2,010
Total $64,126
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Budget for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
All budgets are subject to change
YEAR 1 (10 months)
Tuition
$42,010.00
Fees
$40.00
Vaccinations
$594.00
Student Budget
Item Estimated Cost
Books & Supplies
$2,000.00
Room & Board
$11,825.00
Transportation
$3,248.00
Personal Expenses
$4,972.00
Grad Plus Loan Fee
$520.00
Total
$22,565.00
TOTAL COST $65,209.00
YEAR 2 (10 months)
Tuition
$42,010.00
Fees
$40.00
Student Budget
Item
Estimated Cost
Books & Supplies
$1,750.00
Room & Board
$11,825.00
Transportation
$3,248.00
Personal Expenses
$4,972.00
Grad Plus Loan Fee
$520.00
Total
$22,315.00
TOTAL COST $64,365.00
YEAR 3 (10 months)
Tuition $42,010.00
Fees
$40.00
Student Budget
Item
Estimated Cost
Books & Supplies
$1,750.00
Room & Board
$11,825.00
Transportation
$7,578.00
Personal Expenses
$4,972.00
Wireless Card
$360.00
Grad Plus Loan Fee
$520.00
Total
$27,005.00
TOTAL COST $69,055.00
YEAR 4 (10 months)
Tuition
$42,010.00
Fees
$40.00
Graduation Fee
$200.00
Student Budget
Item
Estimated Cost
Books & Supplies
$1,750.00
Room & Board
$11,825.00
Transportation
$7,578.00
Personal Expenses
$4,972.00
National Boards
$500.00
Grad Plus Loan Fee
$520.00
Total
$27,145.00
TOTAL COST $69,395.00
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All things being equal, you probably should have done more research before applying, so that you knew what you were looking at cost wise.
And maybe this is one of those decisions that ONLY you can make. Maybe I should write that in much bigger, much bolder letters to make it clear.
BTW- numbers only make sense if you compare US dollars to US dollar or AU dollars to AU dollars. Also, you have to sum up totals to figure out whether 5 years abroad costs the same as 4 years domestic.
You also seem to have some really random costs that differ between the schools like wireless card for one, ...and I don't remember Australia being quite that cheap for food each week, but it's been a long time since I was there.
And maybe this is one of those decisions that ONLY you can make. Maybe I should write that in much bigger, much bolder letters to make it clear.
BTW- numbers only make sense if you compare US dollars to US dollar or AU dollars to AU dollars. Also, you have to sum up totals to figure out whether 5 years abroad costs the same as 4 years domestic.
You also seem to have some really random costs that differ between the schools like wireless card for one, ...and I don't remember Australia being quite that cheap for food each week, but it's been a long time since I was there.
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Good luck living in Fort Collins on what they estimate for living expenses (room & board). I have to do a budget appeal every semester b/c their budgeted amt doesn't even come close. Seems safe to assume that that might be the case for any school. They presume you're going to live in a shoebox with 6 other people and eat ramen noodles for every meal. Just something to consider.
Don't forget to factor in how often you think you might want to go home. Travel time and expense varies a lot! There's also the factor of jet lag. I'm going home for a week for Christmas but have to leave on Christmas day to arrive the night of the 26th because of travel time in order to complete EMS I have scheduled here for the Monday right after. It's a 13-14 hour flight and was about 700 BPS. I can't go home until June after that. I also have an 8 hour time difference, so that will be awesome when that comes up.
Also, it might help you to convert AUD to USD for a more fair comparison of loan amounts if money is really an issue. I don't know what the AUD to USD conversion rate is.
You will spend a lot of time in class so going to the beach may not happen as often as you think or would like. However, you will make time to do whatever you feel is important. Some weeks I can get 5-6 hours of piano in while others I can barely scrape by with 1 or possibly 2. I also cook, clean, sleep (way more than I did in undergrad), and study (way more than I did in undergrad). I have to make time for these things or they wouldn't happen.
The schools you listed have different learning styles as well. You shouldn't base them all off of tuition and relative distance to the ocean. Some are more hands-on, and some are more lecture focused. You need to know how you learn and choose the school that would best suit your learning style. Western is probably the extreme of hands-on with little to no lectures in that list.
And if you're not okay with spiders, the Huntsman may put you on a plane back to Hawaii the instant you land. I would have been on the first plane out of the country the second after I saw one of those.
Also, it might help you to convert AUD to USD for a more fair comparison of loan amounts if money is really an issue. I don't know what the AUD to USD conversion rate is.
You will spend a lot of time in class so going to the beach may not happen as often as you think or would like. However, you will make time to do whatever you feel is important. Some weeks I can get 5-6 hours of piano in while others I can barely scrape by with 1 or possibly 2. I also cook, clean, sleep (way more than I did in undergrad), and study (way more than I did in undergrad). I have to make time for these things or they wouldn't happen.
The schools you listed have different learning styles as well. You shouldn't base them all off of tuition and relative distance to the ocean. Some are more hands-on, and some are more lecture focused. You need to know how you learn and choose the school that would best suit your learning style. Western is probably the extreme of hands-on with little to no lectures in that list.
And if you're not okay with spiders, the Huntsman may put you on a plane back to Hawaii the instant you land. I would have been on the first plane out of the country the second after I saw one of those.
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$1 AU is $1.02 US, so it doesn't make a huge difference.
That said, exchange rates do change.
Also, I agree with chii chan. You need to spend a lot more time and effort looking into the curriculum, the programs, the actual cost of living (not the one projected by the school... actually look for an apartment, see what food might cost, consider how transportation will work, etc.). AND... look at the location as in, the town, the culture... not just the ocean.
I think you would survive four years away from the ocean much more easily than you think.
That said, exchange rates do change.
Also, I agree with chii chan. You need to spend a lot more time and effort looking into the curriculum, the programs, the actual cost of living (not the one projected by the school... actually look for an apartment, see what food might cost, consider how transportation will work, etc.). AND... look at the location as in, the town, the culture... not just the ocean.
I think you would survive four years away from the ocean much more easily than you think.
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Western is probably a good hour away from the beach (normal conditions: forget about on beach days, or rush hours, or Fridays, or when Obama is visiting, or when the Lakers are playing, or when....), and really, even in L.A. how often are you going to commute 2+ hours just to spend some time at the beach? Living in Pomona is nothing like living in S.D. or Hawaii. (and Davis isn't near any beaches either).
Honestly, I think it is crazy to think the beach will figure much in your life except for some weekend trips. Live in an apartment with a pool would be my recommendation.
Oh wait, you can take the train to the beach. Oh no, I forgot, there is no train service to the beach in L.A.
Honestly, I think it is crazy to think the beach will figure much in your life except for some weekend trips. Live in an apartment with a pool would be my recommendation.
Oh wait, you can take the train to the beach. Oh no, I forgot, there is no train service to the beach in L.A.
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And all of that is irrelevant, SOV, is the poster hasn't looked into whether or not they would even like PBL style learning. (Which isn't to assume they haven't, but that's what I mean by priorities - gotta make sure you can succeed academically in that environment before you worry about making it to the ocean in less than two hours 🙂 )
But yeah. Don't let us scare you off, OP - just trying to make sure you're thinking everything through.
But yeah. Don't let us scare you off, OP - just trying to make sure you're thinking everything through.
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I appreciate the advice, and of course I've looked through the programs and scoured up and down the internet looking for student reviews, forums, and posts for all the schools....
Western, while closest to me at the present (and therefore the easiest move), I have some reservations about due mostly to vets I've worked with that went there and were NOT so excited about their PBL program...but of course they went there when they were newly accredited and therefore things have changed since then.
Davis-cheapest, still in California, but least desirable living area for me. UC courses however are my specialty having only gone to UC schools for most of my college experience and knowing their format very well.
CSU- only inland school I applied to because of personal family and friends near there (from Hawaii) that LOVE it and even though winter and snow is a new thing, the beauty more than makes up for it so I'm told. I am, however, very disappointed that once in as an OOS you are OOS for all four years....this is also the most recognized program of the schools I've applied to
USyd- I've been there, visited there, and LOVED IT. LOVED the people, the culture, the beaches, etc. I have a good friend who is an aussie that went there and now works for Google in the States and he LOVED it. I have emailed and heard back from a few students in vet school there that thoroughly enjoy their program there and find it well organized and like the added benefit of marsupial animals to learn from. USyd's format is more like CSU or so I'm told with a good mix of PBL and lecture.
Of course the real question is...if I even get into all of these school (well at least the US ones)...HAha.
The things to consider for Vet school:
The SCHOOL itself
The Cost of the school
The Location of the school
The impact of this on all other aspects of your life (family, SO, friends, pets, etc).
WHERE YOU CAN GET IN!
Minus the COST part...USyd has everything else I need, and in regards to the cost...it's definitely the most expensive choice by far...but I just found out I will be having some help along the way that will cut my loan cost considerably (as in 1/2).
Western, while closest to me at the present (and therefore the easiest move), I have some reservations about due mostly to vets I've worked with that went there and were NOT so excited about their PBL program...but of course they went there when they were newly accredited and therefore things have changed since then.
Davis-cheapest, still in California, but least desirable living area for me. UC courses however are my specialty having only gone to UC schools for most of my college experience and knowing their format very well.
CSU- only inland school I applied to because of personal family and friends near there (from Hawaii) that LOVE it and even though winter and snow is a new thing, the beauty more than makes up for it so I'm told. I am, however, very disappointed that once in as an OOS you are OOS for all four years....this is also the most recognized program of the schools I've applied to
USyd- I've been there, visited there, and LOVED IT. LOVED the people, the culture, the beaches, etc. I have a good friend who is an aussie that went there and now works for Google in the States and he LOVED it. I have emailed and heard back from a few students in vet school there that thoroughly enjoy their program there and find it well organized and like the added benefit of marsupial animals to learn from. USyd's format is more like CSU or so I'm told with a good mix of PBL and lecture.
Of course the real question is...if I even get into all of these school (well at least the US ones)...HAha.
The things to consider for Vet school:
The SCHOOL itself
The Cost of the school
The Location of the school
The impact of this on all other aspects of your life (family, SO, friends, pets, etc).
WHERE YOU CAN GET IN!
Minus the COST part...USyd has everything else I need, and in regards to the cost...it's definitely the most expensive choice by far...but I just found out I will be having some help along the way that will cut my loan cost considerably (as in 1/2).
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Also, the reason Location was most important to me was for this reason
I will be coming out as a Vet no matter where I go, I will be dedicating the next 4-5 YEARs of my life in one place. If I am going to live anywhere for 4 years, there has to be more to it than just a school I like. Vet is my passion, but school is school, it gets you where you need to go, it is not meant to overtake you and drain everything else that makes you human.
My passion and goals were never as a little girl to say OMG i want to go to UCDAVIS or CSU! It was to be a vet. Therefore, where I can become a vet, in a place that offers me the most happiness personally or chance for travel and growth and life experience, is where I want to go.
I will be coming out as a Vet no matter where I go, I will be dedicating the next 4-5 YEARs of my life in one place. If I am going to live anywhere for 4 years, there has to be more to it than just a school I like. Vet is my passion, but school is school, it gets you where you need to go, it is not meant to overtake you and drain everything else that makes you human.
My passion and goals were never as a little girl to say OMG i want to go to UCDAVIS or CSU! It was to be a vet. Therefore, where I can become a vet, in a place that offers me the most happiness personally or chance for travel and growth and life experience, is where I want to go.
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Is Davis the cheapest school with the ocean requirement, you mean? Because it's absolutely not the cheapest overall...
But it's good to see that you've done some research. Everyone has their reason for where they apply, so... it's really up to you.
But it's good to see that you've done some research. Everyone has their reason for where they apply, so... it's really up to you.
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FWIW - The Sydney cost of living figures look really low to me. I can't see how you could manage to live on only $45/week for groceries there -- a loaf of bread costs $4-5. Not to mention that there's so much to do in the city (even in just the area around uni) that you could easily spend your living expense allocation in one wild weekend. But maybe that's just me -- get me in a city and I throw my budget out the window. 🙂
Just on gut feeling, I think you'd come up with similar totals when looking at the real costs of Sydney vs. Western. Looks like Davis would be your cheapest bet if you are in-state.
Just on gut feeling, I think you'd come up with similar totals when looking at the real costs of Sydney vs. Western. Looks like Davis would be your cheapest bet if you are in-state.
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I think its really important to remember that Sydney is very different to live in then visit as a tourist. I know lots of people from overseas who love sydney - the beaches, the nightlife, the harbour bridge etc, but its NOT like that to live there! USyd is NOT in a nice part of sydney!!! It is in one of the dodgiest parts of sydney, and given you are from Hawaii, I think its important to remember that sydney is dirty, crowded, smelly, and did i mention dirty and crowded??? Because, living in redfern, you're going to be seeing FAR more of that than the beach!!!
That said, all those people saying "you wont have time for the beach, vet school it too busy" - its just BS. I regularly go to the beach (once a week or more in the spring/summer/autumn, I work all weekend, and I'm in the top 1/4 of my class. I'm not that stressed - but I'm a naturally unstressy person. If the mood takes me, I will actually go study down at the beach - take my waterbottle, sunscreen, notes and some fruit and go sit on the lovely white sand...
This all being said, I am extremely lucky to live a 10 min walk from the beach. When I lived further away (1/2 hour drive) I maybe went once every 3 weeks. (I'm in perth).
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OK...so I guess I didn't realize USydney is 10 minutes to the beach, I seemed to think it was more, but been a long time since I have been to Aus (long enough that the cost ratio was $2Aud:$1Aus). My bad, if that is true, then the OP probably can get to the ocean regularly (I am differentiating between ocean and beach). But once every three weeks is probably closer to what many of the folks in my class manage during a semester (11.5 weeks) and that is with a 3+ hours drive.
So....I want to learn how you manage to get to the beach so regularly if you work every weekend! That kind of time management is an really valuable skill (that I'm a bit envious of!) 🙂 I'm just running the numbers based on my class schedule:
M 8am-4:30pm
T 8am-6 (but as late as 9)pm
W 9am-4:30pm
Th 9am-6:30pm (8:30 some weeks)
F 9am-4:00pm
Now, some of my class has their late night on Friday intead of Tuesday and then have to report on Saturday as well. I'm assuming since you say you work all weekend we are talking about ~16 hours. 😕
I really am genuinly curious, because I can't see how to fit it into our school schedule (I'm assuming Aus is on a Fall-Winter-Spring schedule, which I know is the inverse of our seasons.) By the time I get out of classes now, it is sunset (and while I do like beaches at night....not so easy to study on the beach.) I do admit, I have to study alot, and I am in zoo med and doing research (but I didn't include my research schedule in the school schedule) so school might seem a bit more overwhelming. But I would love to see how I could fit a couple more hours of enjoyable activities like visiting the beach in on a weekly basis.
Now, having said that, I do know there is a massive difference beween living a short walk to the beach (boy, do I miss those days, and part of my graduation plan is to own a clinic near an ocean, and I am already eyeing an ocean front building that use to be a firehouse as a potential conversion property part of why I harp on avoiding too much debt....having less means I can literally consider things like putting time, energy, and money into a conversion property.) and even a 15-20 minute drive (though public transport might not be as bad.) And my recall of Sydney may be off; I just remember it not being the easiest city to travel through at peak times. (and if I lived 10 minutes from the beach, I'd still probably find ways to be there weekly as well...just from my expeience once we get past the 20 or 30 minute time period, my beachgoing fell from nearly daily to less than weekly.)
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Sorry, I should have clarified - I'm at Murdoch and live in Perth. USyd is definately not that close to the beach, and Sydney public transport sucks big time. Usyd is not in a very good part of sydney, and not really close to the good beaches that people typically pin on sydney. Driving around/training/bussing around sydney sucks big time, I definately couldn't stand it.
I definately agree that if I lived in sydney, I would NOT go to the beach that much. I mean, there are some parts of sydney that are >1hr away from the beach, and the 3rd and 4th? years of sydney are out at camden, which isnt even in sydney. So choosing to go to USyd because its close to the beach, is not a good move!
And sumstorm, I will pm you soon with my schedule. I will divulge - I don't go to classes, (except labs) so that helps a lot - I end up only spending ~20hrs/week in classes. (You jealous? 😛)
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Sunshine- you may have just persuaded me to switch to Murdoch instead! That sounds like a lovely way of life while pursuing your degree 🙂 I was very torn between Murdoch and Syd, I have friends in both places, and both hardcore love where they are. I have had many friends that went to Perth for a semester abroad and loved it, the uncrowded beaches, the beauty, the laid back lifestyle etc. The only thing they didn't like was how hard it was to get to due to it's isolation, but I think being from an island, that wouldn't bother me so much...
Do you regret going overseas for school? Would you have preferred to stay in the States? In terms of a life experience for you, did the positives outweigh the negatives? As far as international students that returned to the states after the program, what was their experience in terms of getting hired back in the USA? Any problems? Or did a lot of them stay and apply for PR? Nexx, Mochavet, and a few others from Murdoch have been very helpful in terms of info for Australia schools, I wish there were more from USyd as a students personal experience is more valuable than any article I can find on the internet!
Do you regret going overseas for school? Would you have preferred to stay in the States? In terms of a life experience for you, did the positives outweigh the negatives? As far as international students that returned to the states after the program, what was their experience in terms of getting hired back in the USA? Any problems? Or did a lot of them stay and apply for PR? Nexx, Mochavet, and a few others from Murdoch have been very helpful in terms of info for Australia schools, I wish there were more from USyd as a students personal experience is more valuable than any article I can find on the internet!
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She didn't go overseas for school. People that live in Australia sometimes want to be vets too. 😉
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Twelvetigers is right... I am a local student. I moved from the eastern states to come to vet school here. So I can't answer any questions about "being international".
Look, I'm not trying to turn you off USyd or make you come to Murdoch - I just think you have a very different idea of what living in Australia is like, to the reality. Yes, I live a 10min walk to the best beaches in WA/Aus - but it is a 25min drive to uni, and most students cannot afford rent near where I live (you're looking at ~$300/week PER PERSON to live in a CHEAP 3 bed house where I live - I live for free in a vet clinic, so am very lucky).
To be able to live that close to the beach as a paying student, either in Perth or Sydney, you are not going to be able to afford it. Plain and simple.
I would say that Perth is easier to get to the beach than sydney, and is way less busy than sydney, making it more accessable etc. But either place where you live, DONT count on living that close to the beach.
How much research have you done about each program? Which program do you like better for the sake of the program? Were you aware that USyd requires you to live out at Camden - which is atleast a 1hr drive to Cronulla - for several years of the program?
Bondi beach is beautiful. But the reality of living in Australia is not spending all your time lying on it. (Especially not when you live in Redfern)
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I agree with sunshinevet. Sydney has got to be the most expensive city to live in Australia, rental prices are insane! My brother in law used to live at Bondi and he was paying over $1000 per week!!! to stay in a small, not very modern, 2 bedroom unit. He did have the cashflow to afford it, but still, it blows my mind. They now have a mortgage a bit further away from the beach (read: a long way from the beach) and their house was close to $1mil and it's not even that awesome, but it is in a nice area.
To stay anywhere affordable I'm pretty sure you'd have to live a long way from the beach, an inconvenient driving distance away type thing. Add on top of that the usual very expensive cost of everything, food, clothes, petrol, entertainment, it is all very much more expensive than in the US, especially with the dollar at the moment.
I go to UQ though, which is now at Gatton, a very long way from the beach 😛 But I am very familiar with beach life, I grew up on the Sunshine Coast.
To stay anywhere affordable I'm pretty sure you'd have to live a long way from the beach, an inconvenient driving distance away type thing. Add on top of that the usual very expensive cost of everything, food, clothes, petrol, entertainment, it is all very much more expensive than in the US, especially with the dollar at the moment.
I go to UQ though, which is now at Gatton, a very long way from the beach 😛 But I am very familiar with beach life, I grew up on the Sunshine Coast.
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I should also add that the cost of living in perth is much higher than pretty much the rest of Australia, due to the mining boom. Many things in WA are far more expensive than they are in Sydney.
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I have friends living in Manly and Tamara and Bondi, all who say that rent and cost of living is actually not very different from San Diego, CA or Hawaii and to not worry so much about it. Now cost of living in terms of Ohio or any middle states? HUGE DIFFERENCE. Hawaii, milk costs $6.00, rent typically around 1200-1800 for a one bedroom or studio. Gumtree and realestate.au list rooms for very reasonable prices, not $1000 a week, not even $300 a week. Many being more like 200 -250 per week. I have spoken at length with the USyd advisor about their program and it is only year 4 that is on Camden campus, with many students choosing to still live in the city and take the train. A problem that MANY vet schools face with an offsite farm NOT on campus. I myself went to a gradeschool and highschool on the other side of my island which took me 1.5 hours to get to during traffic EVERY single day from age 5 to 17. Thank you for your worries, but I HAVE researched this. My fiance (who will also be moving with me) has also been there numerous times as his brother lived there for two years in Tamarama while getting his MBA at UNSW. I would never just up and move to a country blindly, I doubt anyone would....
Again, thank you for the advice, I do appreciate the concern. I was not planning on being able to live next to a beach, but to have it only 30-45 minutes away is a HUGE difference from only getting to it after a 3-4 hour drive....not to mention my dog, fiance, and I all surf, a family hobby that brings us great joy in whatever free time we have 🙂
Again, thank you for the advice, I do appreciate the concern. I was not planning on being able to live next to a beach, but to have it only 30-45 minutes away is a HUGE difference from only getting to it after a 3-4 hour drive....not to mention my dog, fiance, and I all surf, a family hobby that brings us great joy in whatever free time we have 🙂
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Ask and ye shall receive. You asked for advice, and boy, did you get it!
Everyone just wants to answer your question and make sure you've thought of everything. It sounds like you've done a lot of research, so I suppose the choice is now up to you. Best of luck!
Everyone just wants to answer your question and make sure you've thought of everything. It sounds like you've done a lot of research, so I suppose the choice is now up to you. Best of luck!
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I can't remember who it was, but isn't there a US vet student attending an australian vet school (or was it new zealand?) who absolutely hates it because he feels like there isn't enough small animal stuff in their curriculum? I dunno how valid his statements are at all, or how relevant they would be to you, but it might be worth it to fish those threads out, even if it is just to see one polar end of the spectrum of opinions.
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I'll find them if you want, but I won't unless someone's interested... mostly because I think he was full of crap. 
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i'm interested.
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hehe, see, thats whats so great about Murdoch... farm on campus. Ohhhhh yeaaahhhh 😎
I hope you've found the advice useful, and didn't think we were being too harsh. Its just there HAVE been people come on this site before talking about moving to Australia to come to vet school, who literally HADN'T done any research about the country or the programs. So sometimes we do get a little concerned...
No matter which school you choose, if you do come to Aus, I hope you enjoy your time here. I freaking love Australia - pretty sure its the greatest country on earth 😀
(And tell me - everyone I meet from the UK tells me Aussies are ridiculously friendly - do americans find that too???)
Yes, always found and heard Aussies to be very friendly and open-minded 🙂. Also, used to hear that Aussies liked Americans? Is that still true with all the current world issues? Being very very general, that is. Of course individuals vary.
