Student Life in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea by Eric

What is it like to live in Port Moresby? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Firstly, I come from Papua New Guinea, the home of more than 850 distinct languages & cultures, and the beautiful Bird of Paradise. Port Moresby is the capital city. The city is just like any Pacific Island getaway town. It is located near the tip of the mainland. Students and others visitors would see that it's not so expensive compared to Europe or any other Western countries. People are loving. You will never miss them trying to befriend you unless you shy away. Though this form doesn't require me to write more about the country, without hesitation I want to pose a common statement from Papua New Guinea in the local dialect to those thinking about visiting this beautiful tropical country, "Yu yet ikam na lukim" - meaning, "Come and see it yourself".

What is the student lifestyle like in Port Moresby?

It's totally different from what you'd expect in any Europen or Western schools. Not much partying but other entertainments as sports and site seeing, and being a tourist are possible when attending any of the countries few universities. One thing though unique is as long as you meet a local student, you can be rest assured to visit his/her village and attend any social, community or family gatherings - in some cases, you can participate in tradition ceremonies as dances and building traditional canoes to houses and many more activities.

How much does it cost to live in Port Moresby?

If you live as a student in the student halls, food and housing costs can be included in the total cost of your tuition fees, the total cost can be at around 5-10K euros per year excluding travels - this is, of course, dependent on where you visit in the country.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Port Moresby? Is there any advice you can give?

It would be difficult if you are not living in the student halls. Otherwise, in a student hall, the food is provided free from the common mass and it is also included in your tuition fees. At most, students are provided accommodation managed by the institutions. But again, as a researcher, you might have a chance to live as a part-time lecturer and provided other accomondations by the school.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Expect a common everyday food. Tropical foods as taro, cassava dishes in coconut milk with fish, beef or chicken. You get to be served the same food as everyone else from a common kitchen if you are in the school

What places would you recommend visiting in Port Moresby?

The famous Kokoda Track from Port Moresby to Oro Province. For exclusive visitations and site seeing, it is better to visit places outside of Port Moresby, like the volcanoes and the WW2 relics in Rabaul, cycling in New Island Province, tropical mountain climbing in Chimbu's Mt William (Highest peak in PNG). Or yet still to do a hideaway, you can visit the Trobriand Islands and enjoy the warmth of the tropical breeze of the sea.

Is it good to eat out in Port Moresby? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes. You can go to Airways buffet near the Jackson Internal Airport which serves varieties of dishes, or the Holiday Inns' local cuisines. There are other restaurants in the city that can check out.

Is the nightlife good in Port Moresby? Where is good to go?

I would not recommend for a nightlife in the Capital City of Port Moresby. I might not have experienced myself having a nightlife but from a local's perspective, I wouldn't recommend a nightlife to anyone.

What advice would you give future students heading to Port Moresby?

Well, the country doesn't have any exchange program for students mostly but if you do visit as a visiting researcher, which I recommend in the social science fields, you will never want to leave the country, or you will not regret visiting the country - a home of more than 850 different traditional cultures and languages will say much about the exotic nature of the country. Since many locals would always be friendly, I would highly recommend you to make some good friends. They will be more than happy to get you around to where you want to visit. And they will always tell you to visit the country if you do get the chance again and want to return.