Experience in Sydney, Australia, by Henry

What is it like to live in Sydney? Would you recommend it? What is it like?

Sydney is a city with everything you need, with so many young people and international students. I am from the north of Sydney but when I was studying in the University of Sydney, I lived in the neighbourhood, Newtown.

What is the student life like in Sydney?

It depends on where you live, but the student atmosphere is always really good and lively, I live close to the university so it was always great. As a student, you have to live in either Newtown, Camperdown, Marrickville and just the same if you study in USYD or UNSW. It depends on each individual, it also might be better to live on campus.

How much does it cost to live in Sydney?

It is very expensive compared to living in Spain. To rent a room in a house in the centre with some friends, it is normal to pay between 180-300 Australian dollars a week. You don't pay monthly like in Spain, you pay weekly. A shared house is a cheaper option, and better if you have a group of good friends. For me, this is the best option to learn English so that is what I want to do.

It is difficult not to chat with everyone in the house when you live with open and friendly people.

Living on the university campus can cost much more, for example St John's College costs around 500 Australian dollars per week, including three meals a day, sports facilities etc.

For food and drink, it costs more or less double than what you pay in Spain. The same as France, double than what you pay in the United States too, but it all depends. A beer costs around 5-6 Australian dollars, but they have the best beer in the world.

Did you struggle finding accommodation in Sydney? Can you give us some advice?

It is difficult sometimes, it is harder if you're trying to find accommodation in February. Obviously because it is the start of their university year and all the students are trying to find a place to live, that is close to the university.

But if you start to look earlier on, you won't have a problem.

Gumtree.com. au is the best site to look for shared apartments, all you have to do is search "shared apartment" or "shared flat" in the neighbourhood where you want to live. You only have to send some emails and call some people and then you have yourself a flat.

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

There is everything here, but Thai food is best. From Tailandia. There are quite a few of these restaurants. I also like Vietnamese food and meat dishes in general. Meat, vegetables, fruit- all are really fresh and good.

What places would you recommend to visit in Sydney?

• Newtown, Circular Quay, Harbour Bridge, the Blue Mountains (are a must-see).
• Australia in general, because there is so much to do. Melbourne, Byron Bay, Culburra Beach...
• A good idea is to hire a car for the weekend or during the holidays, and explore all the beaches that are south of Sydney. They are amazing because no one goes there and the beaches are huge and empty, it is one of Sydney's best kept secrets. Normally, everyone heads for the beaches in Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast, Surfer's Paradise etc. But the ones in the south are better, just a little colder.
• Fraser Island is great, and Cairns too.
• Brisbane isn't worth visiting.

And eating in Sydney? Can you tell us some of your favourite places?

Thai food in Newtown, there are loads of places to choose from. I am not going to name any places so you can choose objectively.

What places would you recommend to go out?

The most popular clubs and bars are very central, for example George Street and Pitt Street, and in this area more or less, towards the end of Circular Quay. There are some smaller bars too, and in Newtown and other similar neighbourhoods, the bars are more comfortable and chilled out and are really popular.

There are famous places like Kings Cross which has good bars too, but be careful during the night there. We are more crazy in Australia and we do wilder things, especially when we are drunk....

Any advice you can give to future students going to Sydney?

Go!

My advice is that if you have lived in a house with people you don't know before, and if you have travelled alone before, it is best if you look to for a place on your own so you can meet new people.

I don't really like the accomodation that the university organises.

It is why so many international students there return to their home countries having not improved their English. It is a trap, these types of accomodations seem easier but they are full of international students who tend to stick together.

If your aim is to improve your English, I think your best option is to live with other young people in a shared house. In a neighbourhood close to the university.

But it all depends on the individual.