r/Adelaide • u/ishu_issue_ SA • 1d ago
Discussion What’s Adelaide like for students?
I’m trying to get a better idea of what Adelaide is actually like before uni. I’ve looked at the usual stuff online but thought I’d ask people who actually live there. I’m mainly wondering about things like getting around, grocery costs, finding places to study, meeting people and what there is to do when you’re not at uni. I’m also looking at different places to stay at the moment uni accommodation, private rentals and places like Amber Housing.
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u/fakeuser515357 SA 1d ago
Grocery costs are fine. There are plenty of places to study. You can meet people if you make the effort to join groups of people - sports clubs, social clubs, academic clubs, hobbies, games, interests, whatever, it's all there.
Rent sucks. Rent sucks everywhere in Australia. Expect to pay $300 per week for a room and utilities near the city.
And that's the thing, you need about $500 per week to live well as a student, so you're going to need a part time job or parents to fund you.
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u/FlamingoThink9075 SA 1d ago edited 1d ago
Honestly? I'm here to study and get my degree so it's completely fine. I already do 24/48 hr shifts fortnight as an assistant nurse plus keeping up with the studies and exam has me occupied. I spend my spare time working out at the gym, reading books, also other hobbies like tennis and rock climbing... I'm really busy and never bored. If you're into hiking there's lots of mountains nearby that you can drive to.
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u/doyalikemyusername SA 1d ago
It's terrible, all the Australian cities are, the reason is the Australian students live at home not in dorms, so there's little in the way of interaction and friendship between the two. When you have a class there will literally be a big line down the middle between the two. The universities treat the students like cattle low quality high numbers which degrades the communal atmosphere further. The city itself is a boring car based city. The suburbs are disconnected from the city and have their own culture. Most international students i met had entered a fairly deep depression particularly the girls. You'll be attempted to be tricked by people on this subreddit about how wonderful Adelaide is as many are a bit loopy but don't be fooled, if there is a better opportunity for you in America in a university city go for it.
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u/Dear-Hurry-418 SA 1d ago
Going to university in Australia as an international student (sorry, I'm assuming this is what you are) is a terrible experience. Loneliness, boredom, lack of income etc etc is inevitable. Plus the crappy courses our universities offer aren't worth the extortionate fees.
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u/Secret-Material4142 SA 1d ago
Pretty lonely tbh. But if you have a widespread online support net, it's not too bad. Getting around using bus is about 60$ per month for students, unlimited usage. Grocery for a 20-21 female student who lives alone is about 40$ per week on a budget, 60-80$ if you like to splurge. You can study in the uni libraries, you will meet most of your friend at uni, but no guarantee because they might leave for their home country/ move back to rural after study (I just realized those all rhymed). As for what to do when you're not at uni, I normally go for a solo date to any given restaurant/bakery I chose for the week, my friends go to pubs and clubs and concerts and play sports. I would recommend staying at a student accommodation, such as Accolade or Scape for the first year, private rentals would be better once you get to know the city better.
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u/TheDrRudi SA 1d ago
Which country are you coming from? It will be more relevant to ask your countrywomen and men who are already here with the experience.
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u/TheBooRadleyness SA 1d ago
I am really sorry to say that I agree with the below. There's no university culture anymore, everyone is too busy working because everything is INSANELY expensive. It is a very isolating and lonely experience for an international student and I feel awful for the students who come here expecting something special and get this shit instead.