What is Australia like?

We have a population of over 24 million, with most people living along the south and east coast of the country. Queensland is Australia's second largest state, which gives it huge diversity in geography, climate and scenery.

Australia is a culturally diverse society with nearly half of all Australians either born overseas, or have at least one parent who was born overseas. While English is the official language, over four million Australians speak a language other than English with the most common languages being Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Italian.

Some key values of Australian society include freedom of religion, parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women, and compassion for those in need. Australian society values equal opportunity for all individuals regardless of their race, religion, or ethnic background.

Religion in Australia

Christianity is the most common religion in Australia, however due to our multicultural society most other major religious faiths are also practiced including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.

A key value in Australian society is freedom of religion and equality for all, so you should always feel comfortable practicing your religious beliefs. There are prayer rooms and places of worship in all major cities in Australia. Halal and Kosher foods are also commonly available in a variety of shops and restaurants.

Culture shock

Living and studying in Australia is an exciting adventure, but it can also present a range of challenges. Adjusting to a new country and culture is a process that occurs gradually and takes time. The values, beliefs, traditions and customs of your home country may vary greatly from those in Australia and adapting to the Australian way of life may not happen straight away.

It's not unusual to experience culture shock. Culture shock is the feeling of being out of place in an unfamiliar environment. The initial excitement of moving to a new country often subsides when you're faced with different cultural expectations and challenges. Dealing with these challenges can result in feelings of frustration and a longing for home.

Homesickness

Most people who travel experience homesickness at some stage. These feelings are normal and are often caused by simply missing your home, family and friends. Make sure you give yourself some time to adjust to your new surroundings and cultural environment. It's especially important to maintain contact with your family and friends at home during this period.

If your homesickness starts to affect your studies or how you interact with your classmates it's a good idea to talk to somebody. There are plenty of local associations and community clubs for different cultures and religions that you might like to join. This may help you find support from people who have experienced the same challenges.