1 of 70,000 Monash University is host to an impressive 70,000 students (just over 10,000 studying at overseas campuses). Crazy to think this is approximately 3.5 times more people than the Greater Terrace Area!!! Obviously not everyone is on campus the first week, but man did it feel like it! The campus was definitely a buzz with new students exploring campus, returning students catching up with friends, and more clubs and societies set up on Clayton Campus that one could imagine. Student Card, Bank Account, Phone Plan Those three things pretty much account for my daily survival, so I was determined to have those sorted right away. The folks at Monash Connect (see link below) were very friendly and set me up with my student card in less than 10 minutes. Make sure to bring proof of enrolment, they need this information in order to proceed with issuing your student card. Money, Money, Money
If you are living in a country for longer than a vacation, I always think it is important to set up a bank account. Less hassle and less charges on exchange rates. Typically they will also ask for a permanent address when setting up your accounts, I used my Air BnB account for the initial set up, and they were happy to take this on the basis I returned with my confirmed address once I had a permanent place to live. It is my understanding there are four major banks in Australia: Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank (NAB), and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ). I will confess, I actually just went to the one I saw first, which was Westpac. It was centrally located in the Campus Centre, and they set up my bank account right then and there. Most banks have good student bank account options, that have no transaction or monthly fees. Needless to say, I am so happy I went to Westpac, I had the most lovely Personal Bank Advisor Menoji, she was so kind and chatted to me about the city, what I was studying and provided me all the tools I need to set up on-line banking and wire transfers from my Canadian bank. Within a week I had my debit card and money transferred over. Australia also has this bonkers and amazing "Card-less Withdrawal" feature, where once set up, the bank generates a PIN number (which gets sent to your phone - locked by password and touch ID) and you put the PIN into the bank machine and boom cash! This was great for me, as before my bank card arrived I could still access my funds! Seriously, Canada you need to get on this - GAME CHANGER! Dear Canada: Your cell phone rates are too high!!! Love, Kathryn Next was my phone! I initially got a new SIM card when I entered the country last week with a pay as you go starter plan. As Optus has a shop on campus, I decided to check out what I more permanent option might be. Well, it turns out Australia is also killing the cell phone game. With the 10% student discount, on a 12 month plan, I only pay $36/month (taxes included), for unlimited texts and calls in Australia, 300 international minutes and 12G (like actually) of data per month. I was delightfully shocked. Other than housing, those were the main things to check off my "must do" list right away. The quicker they are done the less stress and hassle I think!
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AuthorHi everyone! I'm Kathryn, a Master's student at Monash University in Melbourne. This blog outlines the experiences and transition of my life in small town Terrace, BC to the sites and sounds of Melbourne, Australia! Archives
July 2017
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