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Australia or New Zealand

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daskis
Posts: 1828 - Karma: 356
Hey guys!
I have the opportunity to study abroad next semester. I have to go to an English speaking country because of my major (Chemical Engineering). I've narrowed it down to New Zealand and Australia. There are a number of universities all over both where I can study. It's a tough decision. I need help. Australia or New Zealand, and any specific location? Thanks guys!
Sep 18 2012 2:40PM
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daskis
Posts: 1828 - Karma: 356
Fucking mobile. Mod please switch this to nsg??
Sep 18 2012 2:41PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9221 - Karma: 9,939
I'd say Australia for sure, my sister studied there (at Wollongong) and visited New Zealand and she was really happy with her choice. I also visited my brother a few months ago who also studied abroad in Austrailia (Griffith University in Gold Coast) and that place was amazing, I'd def. recommend it if it's one of your options
Sep 18 2012 2:57PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,844
Flight of the Concords
Sep 18 2012 2:59PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
straia defo!!
Sep 18 2012 3:11PM
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sugarloaf
Posts: 7866 - Karma: 299
i studied abroad at victoria university in wellington, nz. it was one of the best times of my life. i highly recommend nz/wellington. otago in dunedin is another place i'd check out. spent some time down there as well and it's a fun town...much closer to skiing than welly if you're factoring that into your decision.
Sep 18 2012 3:34PM
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coolflash8
Posts: 3171 - Karma: 2,046
I've been to both, i would say definitley NZ. australia is rad, but NZ is everything australia is, but more. and its beautiful
Sep 18 2012 3:45PM
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POWDER.RANGER
Posts: 1698 - Karma: -24
if you can find somewhere in the queenstown/wanaka area go there. its one of the sickest places ive ever been. also north of auckland is awesome but its a ways away from any mountains. never been to aus so i cant speak for there but from what i hear the differences between australia and new zealand are very much comparable to the differences between canada and the us, nz being more like canada and aus being more like the us.
Sep 18 2012 3:51PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51257 - Karma: 157,316
Sep 18 2012 3:53PM
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Joonas
Posts: 568 - Karma: 230
If you like city life, partying,going to the beach, hitting clubs etc, go to australia.

If you like outdoors, fishing, skiing etc, even skateboarding is pretty good around wellington and auckland areas.

just my opinion tough.

Sep 18 2012 5:15PM
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Ye_ol_wild_Koala
Posts: 270 - Karma: 121
I studied at University of New South Wales in Sydney. Coogee beach!!!!!
Sep 18 2012 5:30PM
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daskis
Posts: 1828 - Karma: 356
I like both! Who doesn't haha?
Sep 18 2012 7:19PM
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E__
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 4,633
If it was me I would go to New Zealand for sure. Actually as I'm typing this I'm having second thoughts. I don't know anymore, both are so sick.
Sep 18 2012 7:27PM
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powderdrunkie
Posts: 2034 - Karma: 976
I hear Perth Australia is where it's at.

I don't know if there's a school there though.
Sep 18 2012 7:58PM
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so_gangk
Posts: 530 - Karma: 94
definitely new zealand

Sep 18 2012 8:01PM
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iridepc
Posts: 434 - Karma: 577
I lived in Queensland Australia for 6 months and loved it. Its sunny pretty much everyday perfect temperatures and tons of stuff to do. Good bike trails, surfing, beaches, and the nightlife is real good too. And there are tons of great schools there.
Sep 18 2012 8:49PM
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starsky_hucks
Posts: 394 - Karma: 62
Dont know who told u that ....

Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne is where you would want to be
Sep 18 2012 8:50PM
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YUNG_milksteAk
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 4,327
My dad said new Zealand is just a smaller less fun version of Australia. But what does he know. He's in jail for double rape homicide. /claim
Sep 18 2012 8:54PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
I went to Griffith university on the Gold Coast in Australia. It was an awesome time. Don't regret it for a second.

I can tell you though that living on Gold coast has its ups and downs. Beautiful beaches, awesome clubs and bars, great hikes and everything. But it has this sense about it where you could never call it your home. At least I couldn't. Everybody is transient to that place. That probably makes no sense but its the best description I can give.


I can also tell you that Griffith is a well respected school, but has very low expectations compared to american and canadian universities. I think that might be all Australian schools, but I found it super easy there.

If griffith is one of your choices send me a message and I can tell you more. I'll likely be going back for my masters in a couple years.
Sep 18 2012 9:00PM
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Iratebeggar
Posts: 143 - Karma: 150
NZ for sure
Sep 18 2012 9:05PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9221 - Karma: 9,939
my bro went here, this school literally isn't real. Surfers walking through campus all day, even through the library. In the on campus housing (village) there's a big outdoor pool that everyone rages at, its straight out of the movies. One downside is that everything is so expensive in Gold Coast especially, but really throughout austrailia (not sure bout NZ)
Sep 18 2012 9:18PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
haha I used to live in the village. and that water is toxic. You still swim in it when you're drunk but your head never goes under.
Sep 18 2012 9:22PM
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Tsands
Posts: 229 - Karma: 629
Wollongong pretty chill.
4.5 hours from the snow, easy access to so many good un-crowded south coast surf breaks and not a bad night life. Also just an hour from Sydney.
Definitely look into NZ though, everyone who i know who has been there loves it.
Sep 18 2012 11:49PM
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ski4fun420
Posts: 902 - Karma: 842
This rich guy I know from the coffee shop, who travels a lot told me NZ is the best place he has ever traveled to.
Sep 19 2012 12:07AM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5851 - Karma: 4,522
It would depend entirely on the unviersity and what touwn. Let me know what Australian Unis are in your choices and I can help you out with which are better/ which towns are more enjoyable. Personally I would go to an Australian university namely in Sydney or Melbourne. If you are going to go make sure you go to a bigger city. If you need any help feel free to PM me.
Sep 19 2012 12:21AM
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corona
Posts: 12751 - Karma: 32,253
why do 92 people like this thread? not that it's not a fabulous thread and all.
Sep 19 2012 12:23AM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 675
I'm going to Uni of Otago in Dunedin this February. Going to be taking the semester off after to ride my DH bike staying in the hostels around Queenstown.

I have been told that Uni of Otago has great student life.

NEW ZEALAND FO SHO!!
Sep 19 2012 12:38AM
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
None

South Africa best southern hemisphere country
Sep 19 2012 12:45AM
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b.utters
Posts: 321 - Karma: 99
University of Newcastle Australia! Newcastle is the best city in Aus and don't listen to anyone else who says otherwise.
Sep 19 2012 1:13AM
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NSwidow
Posts: 888 - Karma: 3,219
There are some kooks in this thread.
Don't listen to the guy who said Perth. Just don't.

I would recommend taking advantage of what Aus is known for (if you choose Aus) and go somewhere beachy. Like Goldcoast or Newcastle. I'm Aussie so im biased, but i've been to NZ countless times and it's so beautiful. You can't go wrong!
Sep 19 2012 2:02AM
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Jeebus.
Posts: 4904 - Karma: 5,822
thats quite the decision, my cousin has been living in NZ for over a decade now and my one of my good buddies from high school now lives in australia. They both absolutely love it, so i don't really think you can go wrong either way!
Sep 19 2012 2:25AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51257 - Karma: 157,316
Omg, somebody actually has seen the god damn show that posts on this site. Just read the thread and saw this. Seriously what I think of every time there's an Australia vs. New Zealand thread
Sep 19 2012 2:29AM
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straightlining
Posts: 238 - Karma: 139
Have a look at ANU in Canberra. Best university in Australia, according to most rankings, 2.5 hours from the snow, and considering you may well end up on-res its a good option, considering how many of its students live on campus. Also, Canberra has cheap booze compared to the major cities. It's where I go to uni, and I'm really enjoying it. feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Sep 19 2012 4:33AM
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msdeez
Posts: 16 - Karma: 10
To be honest, i dont think you can go wrong. I finished my chemical engineering degree last year at UQ in Brisbane, Queensland (live here) and have been skiing in australia and nz.

On the skiing side of things, If by next semester, you mean around March - June 2013 and you want to actually do some skiing, i would recommend NZ as their early season snow is generally better than the Aussie early season (June-mid July). I would also say that NZ is usually a little more reliable for snow due to its lower latitude but for the last two seasons i think Australia has been the better option (however this was mainly due to good mid to late season snow falls). Completely agree with the dude who recommended the Queenstown/Wanaka area, love that place but im not sure there will be many uni's in the area that offer chem engg.

As for the engineering side of things, the universities in QLD are tailoring their chemical engineering degrees now to prepare people to work in the coal seam gas industry (similar to the natural gas/shale gas that you have in the US) and tend to be moving away from refining and heavy hydrocarbon production processes. I cannot speak for the NSW or VIC universities but they are considerably closer to the snow in Aus.

Locations that others have mentioned, every place is different and has its pros and cons, if you like beaches and city life i would recommend Brisbane as the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are both only an hours drive away and its a city of roughly 2.5 million people. Refer to other peoples recommendations for other cities as i dont really know enough to comment but I would recommend having a look into some Melbourne uni's as its a pretty cool city.

Thats just a few things, if you have any more questions just PM me,

Sep 19 2012 5:55AM
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Autist
Posts: 67 - Karma: 143
Hahaha
Sep 19 2012 8:20AM
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Autist
Posts: 67 - Karma: 143
But seriously, if you want to get any good snow then I would go New Zealand. Skiing in Aus is fun but i guarantee New Zealand is a lot better!
Sep 19 2012 8:26AM
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daskis
Posts: 1828 - Karma: 356
Ah, I was looking at that school! They don't have Chemical Engineering though :(

Anyone know anything about University of Canterbury in NZ?

P.S. you guys aren't making this decision any easier haha. Thanks for all the input though :) You guys are awesome.
Sep 19 2012 10:36AM
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daskis
Posts: 1828 - Karma: 356
PM'd! Sounds like a blast :) Thanks!
Sep 19 2012 10:39AM
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DERS.
Posts: 6299 - Karma: 1,293
people from australia are waaaaaay more attractive. im gonna marry me an australian girl.
Sep 19 2012 10:40AM
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daskis
Posts: 1828 - Karma: 356
Noted! Very important :)
Sep 19 2012 10:50AM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 675
I was looking at Uni of Canterbury too but I was told the town is still wrecked from an earthquake that hit a few years ago. I don't know if it's actually true but that's what I've been told by other people in NZ.

Sep 19 2012 11:02PM
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skisalot111
Posts: 723 - Karma: 157
it really depends what your looking for and what season you go in, if you want warm weather and nice beaches i would check out u melbourne and u sydney. if you want a more holistic environment i would check out u of auckland . both are great places, ive been and shredded in both countries so feel feel to ask me anything. U melbourne though is honestly WHERE ITS AT WHEN it comes to study abroad.
Oct 20 2012 10:08PM
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Poop_nugget
Posts: 534 - Karma: -15
yup
Oct 20 2012 10:17PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
University of Otago ftw.
Oct 20 2012 11:17PM
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GabP
Posts: 568 - Karma: 74
NZ = Mini Australia without all the venomous insects,reptiles etc..
Oct 20 2012 11:23PM
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.skiwi.
Posts: 898 - Karma: 40
Definately nz! If you have any questions on it pm me!
Oct 20 2012 11:52PM
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skisalot111
Posts: 723 - Karma: 157
i shredded NZ all summer long, it was DANK
Oct 21 2012 12:21AM
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skisalot111
Posts: 723 - Karma: 157
btw pm me if you got any questions regarding NZ i lived and worked and shreded there all summer and i can say that kiwi's (New Zealanders) are a lot more chill thans Aussies. No offense to aussies( australia is chill as fuck too).
Oct 21 2012 12:42AM
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the-honeypossum
Posts: 529 - Karma: 130
antarctica
Oct 21 2012 12:46AM
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Iratebeggar
Posts: 143 - Karma: 150
This Guy knows whats up...
Oct 21 2012 12:48AM
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daskis
Posts: 1828 - Karma: 356
Australia and New Zealand both ended up not being a match for the classes that my school requires me to take next semester. I found a school in Wales which is a good match. I'm just waiting to hear back. Hopefully all goes well and I'll have the opportunity to hang out in Europe and ski in the Alps :)
Oct 24 2012 3:50PM
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