Adventurous Maite: Australia: two months in my favourite country (7 January

MY LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

It's almost impossible to sum up my amazing experience in the opposite ends of the Earth. The first that I thought when I discovered this country was: this is another world!

The way of life was diferent there, much less stressful, slow pace, peace, security, respect, environmental education, nature in its pure state, inadulterated!

Why Australia?

Before going to Australia many people asked me: why? Why go far away to study English if you can go to England? How dare you go alone? etc. I think all these questions reflects a closed mind! They live comfortably in their world, without ambitions, without the need to discover other things, new cultures, etc. I cannot understand these poor mentalities!

In my life I always need to learn new things to be pleased with myself. I chose Australia because since I was a child I felt curious about this distant country. My favourite animal has always been the lovely koala :) One of my lifelong dreams was: to have a koala in my arms!

When I did my first English course I went to Ireland and three years later I was looking for something totally different. In Ireland I spent my time going out with Spanish people almost always. Therefore I had a lot of reasons to choose Australia. The next decision was the city.

I had my doubts between Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide... Though my favourite was Adelaide, I chose Perth cause at that time, I was studying English in AIP EUROCENTRES (where also I worked as a teacher of Spanish and Catalan language), and Eurocentres had also one school in Perth. I decided to organize the trip with them (between the school of Valencia and the school of Perth) and it would be quicker and easier and I would take advantage of the special offer for the coming winter.

So... Perth was waiting for me :-)

Perth

Perth is the fourth largest city in Australia. It's the capital of Western Australia and located on the Western coast of Australia.

Distances from Perth:

Sydney – 3,934 kms (1 day 18 hours driving or 3.6 hours flying)
Melbourne – 3,277 kms (1 day 13 hours driving or 2.9 hours flying)
Adelaide – 2,550 kms (1 day 4 hours driving or 2.3 hours flying)
Brisbane – 4,333 kms (1 day 23 hours driving or 3.9 hours flying)

Perth’s warmer climate and strong economy have attracted many migrants keen to take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle and job prospects. People from the UK are Perth’s biggest migrant group followed by New Zealanders, Italians, Malaysians and South Africans. Aboriginal Australians represent around 1.5% of Perth’s population.

Although Perth is generally considered a great place to raise a family, many eastern based locals struggle with the perceived isolation of Perth from other Australian capital cities. However most Perth residents are content with the benefits of living in Perth, and are quick to point out the shorter flying times to Asia and Europe.

The flights (7January 2011)

-First flight with Iberia was Valencia-Madrid (55 minutes) Airbus Industrie A320-100/200

-Second flight with Emirates Airlines: Madrid-Dubai (6:50 hours) Airbus Industrie A340-300

-Third flight with Emirates Airlines: Dubai-Perth (10:30 hours) Boeing 777-200LR

Overall: about 20 hours.

Though it was my first long trip, was an incredible experience. Emirates figures among the finest in the world and the planes were really comfortable, with TV, padded seats, good meals, etc. The staff was also very nice and helpful. I hold them in the highest regard. In the second flight, from Dubai to Perth next to me was sitting a nice Australian guy called Shannon who gave me his card with his telephone number. He wrote me but we never met again. He traveled to the United States.

The school and the English course

I dediced to pay for a two-month course from January to March. The language academy was Eurocentres Perth (641 Wellington Street) and the description:

English Course: intensive and specialized (8 weeks) 25 lessons per week.

Accommodation: homestay with single room and half-board service.

Start day: 10-1-2014. I arrived 7 January (Friday) to start the course on 10 January (Monday).

Eurocentres Perth is well located, near the train station and city centre. The school was not too big and not too small. We were like a big family. Every week a social activity was organized for the students. It was a great opportunity to discover new things while practicing English. I would recommend Eurocentres Perth.

Experience

My life in Australia was simply a paradise. Two of the best months of my life. I lived in Hamersley, a residential suburb 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) north-northwest of the central business district of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. In 185 Erindale Road with a host family from New Zealand and two other students.

The centre of Perth isn’t very big but it’s nice and beautiful. There are a lot of different cultures and there’s regularly music, activities or markets. There’s always something going on. In my spare time, I liked to go to the beach or visit attractions with my friends.

We’ve been to many places like Rottnest Island, Fremantle, the Aquarium, Kings Park, the open air cinema and Whiteman Park. My friends were people that I’ve met at Eurocentres. I was surprised because it was easy to make new friends at school. My classmates were from lots of different countries and I found it really interesting. I also met my friend Ana (from Asturias) who I had already met through the Internet and she introduced me other latin friends (from Spain, Mexico, etc.).

As a curious note: I was the first Spaniard studying in Eurocentres Perth. Nobody from Spain had never been enrolled there before! The majority of European students were from Switzerland.

Best things in Australia

Koalas!

People (open, friendly, helpful, altruistic, honest, educated...)

Respect toward the animals and nature

Beaches (white sand beaches are incredible!)

Fauna. In Australia you can see wildlife different from the rest of the world

Public services and facilities. Australia is a highly advanced country

Citizen security. The crime rate is low

Cared parks and gardens

Best surfers!

Worst things

Too hot weather