You’ve booked your flights, sorted out your visa and planned your trip to Australia, and now comes the hard part… what to pack?! Packing for any trip can be hard to navigate, but especially one known for amazing beaches, lush rainforests, and bustling cities (aka so many different outfit options).

The Aussie way of life is a pretty simple one and you would be surprised how little you really need to pack, but there are definitely some essentials that you shouldn’t get on your flight without. You can find a general list of things to pack to study abroad here, but read on to find out what things you won’t want to forget for your trip to Australia.

1. Sunscreen (and probably aloe vera too)

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Australia has an extremely hot climate and a plentiful amount of sunny days. However, what you may not know is that Australia’s ozone layer (the layer between the earth and the sun that protects us from dangerous UV rays) is thinned, which basically means the sun is large and in charge. It won’t take long for your skin to burn to a crisp if you aren’t wearing at least SPF 30 (although you should probably opt for 60). It wouldn’t hurt to pack some aloe vera for that first inevitable burn upon arrival as well.

2. Your favorite bathing suit

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If you’re traveling in the summer months, you’ll probably spend the vast majority of your time in a bathing suit. Your favorite suit and a simple white tee pullover will pretty much become your staple outfit for the majority of the trip, so there’s no need to overpack with a thousand different wardrobe options.

3. A pair of thongs

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Wait, what? Alhough this phrase may be misleading, I definitely don’t recommend you walk around in your underwear whilst abroad. ‘Thongs’ are actually another word for flip flops in the Aussie English vocabulary, which will pretty much become your best friend in terms of footwear. You’ll probably end up barefoot a majority of the time regardless, even in places like the grocery store!

4. A sunhat or baseball cap

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Remember all those times where your mother told you to wear a hat and you shrugged it off and ignored her? Well, this time you should listen—I wasn’t kidding about all that ozone layer business. You haven’t had bad sunburn until you’ve burnt the top of your scalp and it flakes out for the rest of the trip (hello dandruff).

5. A pair of sunnies

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‘Sunnies’ aka sunglasses are another staple to protect you from, you guessed it, the sun. If you’re still not convinced on all this sun protection talk, it’ll only take a day in Australia for you to head to the shop to buy every single one of these items.

6. Jet lag remedy

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Depending on where you’re flying from, the flight to and from Australia can take over 20 hours if you’re coming from places like North America or the UK. So, it’s definitely in your best interest to grab some melatonin or motion sickness medicine to make the transition smoother. Talk to your doctor about the best options for you to ensure you have an enjoyable travel experience.

7. A universal adaptor for your electronics

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Visiting a new country brings different power outlets that you have to account for. You can grab an international adaptor at pretty much any electronic store, or at the airport if you happen to forget (although they’re a lot pricier there). It’s also a good idea to get one with a few different USB plugs so you can charge multiple devices at once.

8. Packing cubes

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These will seriously change your life—I don’t know how I ever traveled without them before. Packing cubes allow you to separate different items into individual bags so that you aren’t searching through your suitcase trying to find a single item. They also prevent you from making a massive mess in your room when you have to pull everything out of your suitcase.

9. Season-appropriate clothing

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The clothing you’ll need will depend on the season you’re visiting Australia in and which area you’re visiting. In the summer and early spring, generally speaking you will not need to pack more than a sweater or two for night time. However, if you’re visiting in winter or autumn, temperatures can drop quite low and you will need to pack more warm clothing. Also, the more southern areas such as the city of Melbourne can bring rainy and cold weather in certain times of the year.

10. A portable charger for emergencies

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If you’re an avid traveler, you’ll know that sometimes it’s a struggle to find a spare plug to charge your electronics. Your trip may consist of long bus rides and flights that don’t necessarily have outlets. Airport plugs are also scarce and sometimes a pain to find. Carrying a portable charger will save your life in a lot of different scenarios.

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Sponsored by EDHEC Business School

With a reputation for high-quality academia and a world-famous arts and culture scene, it’s no wonder in 2017 almost 344,000 students from around the world decided to move to France to study and experience all the country has to offer. 

Read on to discover six reasons why you should study abroad in France.

France is home to some of the best business schools

The quality of higher education in France is second to none, with many of its business schools occupying the top spots in global university rankings.

EDHEC Business School is one such institution where its Master in Management and MSc in Finance programs both place in the global top 30 according to the QS World University Business Masters Rankings 2021. Specializing in business, entrepreneurship, management and innovation, three of its five campuses are located in Paris, Nice and Lille, meaning links to professional opportunities, networking contacts and a global community are right on your doorstep.

So much so that the school’s corporate sponsors are some of the world’s leading global firms – such as PwC, Bloomberg, Unilever and Société Générale – which means students are given exceptional insights and analysis to help them progress in the professional world of business, management, and finance.

France is a world leader in business and finance

With Nice being the economic hub in southern France, Lille home to aspiring entrepreneurs, and Paris leading the way in international business and markets, every EDHEC campus has something to offer.

For those hoping to get a foot in the door of the business and finance world, France is the ideal destination where you can do just that.

It has thriving graduate job prospects

For those who aren’t ready to say au revoir to their French endeavors after graduating, career prospects in the country are promising, especially in the capital. As a prosperous international hub where you’re guaranteed to meet a global network of contacts, Paris is joint seventh in the QS Best Student Cities 2018 when it comes to employer activity.

In addition, a recent study has found Europe is one of the better places in the world for equal opportunities for women when it comes to studying, living and working, with France taking the third spot.

France is located in the heart of western Europe

When it comes to France, what’s the first thing that springs to mind? Gourmet food and wine? Its grandeur and rich cultural traditions? How about the lavish yet sophisticated lifestyle?

Whatever you think of, it’s safe to say France is the most visited country in the world for a reason! It’s the traveler’s dream – from its picture-perfect landscapes and majestic city skylines, to its buttery croissants and sparkling champagne, France is full of delights. Studying here means you’ll have endless opportunities to explore everything France has to offer, immerse yourself in the culture and satisfy your wanderlust.

A little insight for all the art lovers out there, entry to museums is either free or very heavily discounted for students. And for those with itchy feet, the EU rail system is an excellent and easy way to get off the beaten track in France (and venture in and around mainland Europe too).

You’ll stand out to prospective employers

Of course, this can be said for any country you study abroad in – your sheer enthusiasm and commitment to move to a new country to study is admirable to say the least. However, it’s also about how the experience shapes you and how your ability to think globally will help you shine when it comes to applying to jobs in the future.

When it comes to studying, living and working here, it’s worth remembering French is the second-most widely spoken language in the European Union, as well as one of the most spoken languages in the world of business. So, you’d do well to get to grips with it and have something else impressive to add to your CV.

Visas and healthcare are relatively easier to organize than in other countries

Moving to a new city, let alone a new country can be quite stressful at times. Fortunately, when it comes to organizing the necessary paperwork, sorting out a visa is probably one of the easier things to do as France’s visa system for EU and EEA students is extremely straightforward.

When it comes to healthcare, or ‘sécurité sociale’, the French healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world and it became free of charge in September 2018, covering up to 70 percent of medical expenses. Non-EU students who plan on studying in France must enroll in the French healthcare system, while EU and EEA students should make sure they have their own EHIC card.

Full scholarships (also called full-ride scholarships) are the holy grail of funding opportunities, covering almost everything for the full three or four years of university. Your tuition and living costs will be covered by the provider, leaving you free to focus on your studies and social life without worrying about money. Sounds great, right?

Sadly, there just aren’t too many of these dream scholarships going around. Full scholarships are rare, and those that are available are very competitive. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply for them – read on to discover how to increase your chances of being awarded one of these prestigious scholarships.

Know where to look

First things first, where do you actually go to find full scholarships? Your first port of call should be your chosen university’s official website, as they may offer their own funding opportunities for students from your location or in your subject, or possibly list external scholarships you could apply to.

As well as your university, you could check sites like InternationalScholarships.com or FastWeb.com, plus our own Scholarships to Study Abroad page, which lists funding opportunities in different study destinations, scholarships focused on particular subjects and scholarships aimed at particular student groups (e.g. African students).

Prepare in advance

If you know you’ll need a full scholarship to help you to attend university, it’s important to start preparing as far in advance as possible. This is especially important if you find you need to attend an interview - some universities conduct special ‘scholarship weekends’ in which 50-100 students will be invited on campus to interview with a faculty member, answering questions on their goals and motivations and how this fits in with that university and course. If you need to attend a scholarship interview, you should treat this as you would any other formal interview, dressing smartly and coming well-prepared with good answers for their possible questions, as well as having a few questions ready to ask them when invited to at the end of the interview. Find out how to answer common admission interview questions here.

Work hard and keep motivated

Although some full scholarships will be based on financial need rather than academic excellence, some will take both into account, or only be awarded to exceptional students. It goes without saying that you should be working hard in your studies, but you’ll need to really put in the effort if you want to get that full scholarship, as the majority are awarded to the highest-achieving students. In some cases, universities may automatically consider applicants for full scholarships using your regular university application, making high grades crucial. While pushing yourself academically can be mentally exhausting, try to stay motivated by keeping your goals in mind, and give yourself a break every now and then to relax (especially during and after exam season!).

Make yourself stand out from other applicants

With so much competition to get a full scholarship, it’s crucial to stand out from the pool of applicants by demonstrating real commitment to bettering yourself as an individual. This means having a few extracurricular activities to show off to scholarship providers, demonstrating your passions and interests outside the classroom, as well as examples of times you’ve got involved with the local community, perhaps by taking part in volunteer work for a good cause.

Leadership skills are also hugely valued by scholarship providers, and you can demonstrate this by volunteering to lead projects in your extracurricular activities or community work.

Another thing that could really make you stand out from the rest when it comes to scholarship applications is a glowing report on your academic and personal qualities through your letters of recommendation, so it’s important to build strong relationships with your academic mentors – if a mentor knows you well, they’ll be able to provide a more personal and accurate reflection of you in their letter.  

Read the application instructions carefully

This may seem extremely obvious, but you don’t want to drop your chances by accidentally missing out a document or piece of information that was stipulated in the scholarship’s application instructions. Be sure to read the application guidance carefully and repeatedly, so you’re less likely to miss anything, and email the provider if you need clarification on anything.

Submit an exceptional scholarship essay or cover letter

Another one that goes without saying, but your application essay/cover letter needs to absolutely be the best quality it can possibly be. This means making sure it’s clear and concise, is formatted correctly, grabs the reader with a strong introduction, stays focused on its key theme or topic, and has flawless spelling and grammar. Don’t just rely on proofreading it hundreds of times to make sure it’s perfect – ask a friend to go over it and check for typos and any sentences that don’t read as well as they could do.

One of the winners of our QS scholarships wrote a very helpful article on submitting a winning scholarship essay, which you can read here.

Be realistic

And finally, as we touched on earlier, the unfortunate truth is that there aren’t many full scholarships to go around, and they’re extremely competitive, meaning that many candidates who meet and exceed the requirements for a full scholarship end up missing out. Don’t let this hold you back from applying, but be realistic about your expectations. And remember, there’s no limit on how many scholarship applications you can send out, and normally no limit to how many scholarships you can be awarded, so you may be able to build your own full scholarship using two or more smaller scholarships. (Of course, be sure to check with the providers that you’re able to apply for and receive funding from other sources). If you do get rejections, try not to let them get you down – pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and don’t stop trying in life until you get what you want.

Do you have any questions on scholarship applications? Read our FAQ here, or leave us a comment below.

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If you’re looking to study in Europe, you may be wondering which universities in the region offer the most diverse student bodies, with many students attracted to the idea of enhancing their study abroad experience by meeting people from many interesting backgrounds and cultures.

In the QS World University Rankings® 2019, 12 European universities achieve a perfect score for their proportion of international students, half of which are based in the UK – showing the country’s still proving hugely popular with overseas students.

If you’d like to study in one of the most globally diverse universities in Europe, read on to find out more about each institution.

INSEAD

With campuses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, INSEAD maintains a stronghold of its global reputation as one of the leading graduate schools for business-related studies, currently ranking second in the world and first among universities in Europe according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019.

INSEAD was established in 1957, and over the decades, has proudly educated a myriad of over 58,566 alumni across 173 countries and 163 nationalities.   

London Business School

Based in one of the world’s most business-oriented capital cities, London Business School was founded in 1964, and consistently ranks in the global top 10 for the discipline, placing third at present according to the latest subject ranking (and second among universities in Europe). It currently offers a variety of business courses at various postgraduate levels which include MSc, MBA and EMBA.

London Business School is home to an excellently diverse student body – with more than 44,000 graduates spanning 155 countries, and continues to welcome over 2,200 students from 109 different countries.     

Central European University

The Central European University (CEU) is a research-based graduate institution, located in Budapest, Hungary, and is also accredited in the US. It offers prestigious master’s and PhD programs taught in English, and ranks among the global top 100 for several subjects, including politics (41^st), social policy and administration (joint 44^th) and philosophy (joint 44^th).

CEU is home to one of the most strikingly eclectic student populations, bringing together around 1,435 students from 118 countries around the world.  

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) was established in 1895 and became a constituent college of the University of London in 1900. It provides a multi-dimensional platform of degree programs, with a strong world-renowned focus on the social sciences, earning it second place in the ranking for the discipline.

Based in the financial and diverse capital, London, LSE has students from over 160 countries worldwide, with a total of 7,544 of its 10,883 students embracing an international status.   

Cranfield University

Specializing in science, engineering, technology and management, Cranfield University is a public graduate school located in Bedford, UK, originally founded as the College of Aeronautics in 1946.  

Cranfield University boasts a colorful diversity across its student profile, with figures from 2018 confirming a total of 46 percent of students to have come from outside the UK: 21 percent from EU countries, and 25 percent from the rest of the world.  Additionally, 30 of the school’s graduates are based internationally, including in Australia, China, India and Switzerland.  

EPFL – Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

Situated in Lausanne, a city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland on Lake Geneva, EPFL – Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne is a prestigious research-intensive institution, specializing in natural sciences and engineering – hence its position in the global top 20 for both disciplines.

EPFL has a history stretching back to 1853, when it was first established as a private school with just 11 students. Today, it’s one of the world’s top 30 most prestigious public institutions, home to 10,000 students from over 125 nationalities across the globe.

Imperial College London

Imperial College London is a world-famous institution, consistently ranking in the top 10 universities worldwide. It offers research-led teaching, and provides a special focus on science, engineering, medicine and business.

Being at the center of multicultural London, Imperial is a truly global community, with international students coming from over 140 different countries to pursue their studies. Moreover, the Academic Ambassador Scheme was set up by the institution to adopt better connections with overseas students who wish to present their academic enquiries.  

Maastricht University

Heading to the Netherlands for the next in our look at the most international universities in Europe, Maastricht University, a public university on the southern tip of the country, was founded in 1967, making it the second youngest of the thirteen Dutch universities. It’s also the nation’s most international university, and offers academic programs in a variety of disciplines.

With a staggering 50 percent of Maastricht’s student population being international, the majority of Maastricht’s courses are English-taught, and center around a heavy international or European focus, making them easily accessible to a wide range of students from around the world.  

UCL (University College London)

One of the world’s top 10 universities, UCL (University College London) is a multidisciplinary institution and a center of prestigious international academic reputation, excelling both in teaching and research.  

As one of London’s major academic institutions, UCL houses a thriving community of academics from all walks of life, with an astonishing 18,000 of its 39,000 students coming from outside the UK and making up a total of 150 nationalities.

SOAS University of London

With its unique and varied courses in the social sciences, SOAS University of London is an academic institution that truly reflects the rich diversity of London. It ranks in the global top 300 higher-education institutions worldwide, taking the ultimate lead for studies of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

SOAS is self-admittedly one of the most cosmopolitan universities in the world, with 56 percent of its students from outside the UK – around five times the global average. It also continues to welcome international students on Study Abroad and Exchange Programs and the Summer School.  

HEC Paris School of Management

As its name denotes, HEC Paris School of Management is an institution specializing in education and research in management, and currently tops the QS Masters in Management Rankings 2021. It offers an exclusive range of programs for aspiring leaders, including master’s programs, MBA, PhD, HEC Executive MBA, TRIUM Global Executive MBA, and Executive Education open-enrolment and custom programs.

HEC Paris hosts more than 4,400 students, and performs very well in terms of diversity; for example, in 2017, international students formed 65 percent of its master’s in management class population, reportedly representing a total of 17 different nationalities.    

Ecole des Ponts ParisTech

Formerly known as École Royale des Ponts et Chaussées, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech was formed in 1747. Although it’s a graduate school that’s dedicated to honing both the academic and professional skills of aspiring engineers, Ecole des Ponts also offers education in a wide range of subjects outside of the discipline, including computer science, finance and economics.

At present, the institution is partnered with 56 universities in 32 countries, with 43 percent of its students obtaining a double-degree abroad. It’s also home to a largely global student population, with over 500 international students on campus representing 48 different countries.

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There’s never been a brighter outlook for young computer science students than today. As these recent stats show, computer science graduates have some of the highest starting salaries out there and are in such high demand that they can afford to be picky about the type of job and industry they opt for.

And it’s not hard to see why. Technology has been growing so exponentially over recent years, there has been a steadily increasing demand for bright graduates to come in and help to transform areas ranging from data infrastructure to cyber security. If you are interested in pursuing a career in computer science, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest trends in computer science research, to make an informed choice about where to head next. Check out these five trends storming the tech industry!

1. Artificial intelligence and robotics

With the global robotics industry forecast to be worth US$80 billion by 2024, a large portion of this growth is down to the strength of interest and investment in artificial intelligence (AI) – one of the most controversial and intriguing areas of computer science research. The technology is still in its early stages, but tech giants like Facebook, Google and IBM are investing huge amounts of money and resources into AI research. There’s certainly no shortage of opportunities to develop real-world applications of the technology, and there’s immense scope for break-through moments in this field.

2. Big data analytics

Back in 2012, the Harvard Business Review branded data science the ‘sexiest job’ of the 21 century. Yes, you read that correctly. There has been a surge in demand for experts in this field and doubled efforts on the part of brands and agencies to boost salaries and attract data science talents. From banking to healthcare, big data analytics is everywhere, as companies increasingly attempt to make better use of the enormous datasets they have, in order to personalize and improve their services.

3. Computer-assisted education

The use of computers and software to assist education and/or training, computer-assisted education brings many benefits and has many uses. For students with learning disabilities, for instance, it can provide personalized instruction and enable students to learn at their own pace, freeing the teacher to devote more time to each individual. The field is still growing but promising, with many educators praising its ability to allow students to engage in active, independent and play-based learning.  

4. Bioinformatics

A fascinating application of big data, bioinformatics, or the use of programming and software development to build enormous datasets of biological information for research purposes, carries enormous potential. Linking big pharma companies with software companies, bioinformatics is growing in demand and offers good job prospects for computer science researchers and graduates interested in biology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals and computer information science.  

5. Cyber security

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, cyber security jobs are predicted to grow by 28 percent between 2016 and 2026 – much faster than average for all occupations, and raising concerns about the shortfall in qualified graduates. In February 2015, Barack Obama spoke of the need to “collaborate and explore partnerships that will help develop the best ways to bolster our cyber security.” It’s not hard to understand why he might think so. We live in a hyper-connected world, in which absolutely everything – from banking to dating to governmental infrastructure – is done online. In today’s world, data protection is no longer optional, for either individuals or nations, making this another growing strand of computer science research.

This article was originally published in October 2016. It was updated in April 2019.

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