The west coast of Australia is often overlooked by tourists, who would rather visit the more fast-paced hot spots on the east coast. However, Western Australia actually boasts some of the most amazing scenery, beaches, and overall good vibes in the country. Because of its location so far away from the likes of Sydney and Melbourne, its far less touristy and much more laid-back. WA locals know they reside in the best state in Australia, but you won’t catch them bragging about it, because they wouldn’t want the secret to get out. Here are 10 reasons why we think that Australia’s west coast is truly the best coast to be (but shh, don’t tell anyone!).

1. The breathtaking beaches

Step aside east coast. The west coast of Australia has some of the world’s most breathtaking white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. They truly are spoiled over there, with beaches on the east coast not even in the same league. You may even catch a kangaroo hopping on the shoreline in Lucky Bay, Esperance.

2. The perfect weather

The west coast climate is known for its dry, sunny heat all year round. While the east coast experiences the tropical rain season in the north as well as more dramatically cold climates in the south, the west coast is sittin’ pretty in clear skies and high temps. Western Australia has the lowest amount of rainfall compared to any other Australian state, with an average of 3,000 hours of sunlight a year.

3. The complete remoteness

Because the west coast of Australia is dramatically less touristy compared to the east, there are a lot of spots you will visit that will feel very secluded. It’s not uncommon to have an entire beach to yourself in more remote locations, and you will truly get to experience the country in all its glory since you won’t be running into tourists around every corner.

4. The world-renowned surfing

Western Australia has some of the best surfing spots in Australia…and the world. Margaret River, a few hours south of the capital city of Perth, hosts annual surf competitions where some of the best surfers in the world come to compete. Hang ten, right?

5. Experience swimming with whale sharks

Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef is regarded as one of the best locations in the world to swim with whale sharks, thanks to the clarity of the water and the ethical conservation of the sharks themselves. Along with these amazing underwater beasts, the reef is home to creatures such as manta rays, sea turtles, and various types of tropical fish. Grab a snorkel and experience this magical underwater world!

6. Quokkas. Enough said.

We have all seen one or two #QuokkaSelfies on Instagram, where these friendly little creatures will gladly hop up to you to snap a picture. I swear it looks like they are smiling in every photo. They are essentially a mix between a kangaroo and a rat, with their home base being the picturesque island off of Perth known as Rottnest Island.

7. The sunsets over the ocean

The West Coast of Australia is the only place you can see the sunset directly over the Indian Ocean, which is why most people stick around for dusk after spending a day at the beach. And let me tell you, they are worth sticking around for.

8. The epic camping trips

From ocean-side campsites to spots where you feel as though you are smack dab in the middle of the outback, the camping in Australia offers so much variety. The summer months bring some pretty gnarly temperatures, therefore it may be best to explore in the off months where you will still be welcomed with sunny weather, however the temperatures will be much more bearable.

9. Camel riding directly on the beach

The iconic Cable Beach, located in Broome, is known by many as THE place where visitors go to experience a sunset or sunrise camel ride along the ocean shore. It is truly an unforgettable activity that is a must-do while passing through Broome. As they say: “Camels and Cable Beach go together like a horse and a carriage”.

10. The laidback city of Perth

Last but certainty not least, state capital Perth is truly the heart of WA and contributes to what makes it so special. It’s (mostly) free from tourists, which gives it a very quaint and homey feel that you won’t find in any other major city in Australia. The locals are very laid-back and relaxed, with no one taking life too seriously (as you’ll find with most Aussies). The city center is also located directly on the swan river, which makes for some epic waterfront views.

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Sponsored by IE Business School

Not everything you’ll have heard about studying a business degree is actually true. Some people might like to say that the only reason to study business is because “you just love the idea of making money”, or “you must be good at math”.

We spoke to IE Business School to bust some of the most enduring myths surrounding business degrees.

Myth #1: You just want to be a millionaire

Sure, you’ll make a lot of money studying business but there have to be simpler paths to follow if your only ambition is to become a millionaire. According to the US 2017-2018 PayScale College Salary report, the average business graduate starting salary ranges from $42,700 in human resources management up to $58,700 in business and information technology, so not quite million-dollar amounts.

Of course, things are slightly different if you choose to study an MBA in addition to a business degree at undergraduate level. According to figures obtained by QS, an MBA from a top European business school could increase your salary by as much as 79 percent. If a high-earning salary is something that is important to you, MBA programs like the one-year full-time MBA at IE Business School based in Spain’s sunny capital, Madrid are a perfect fit for you. The program is designed to encourage students to think outside the box, challenge their unconventional thinking and develop their entrepreneurial and innovative ideas.

Myth #2: You must be good at math

Although having a knack for numbers will help, the ability to communicate effectively with customers, clients and colleagues within the world of business is just as important. So don’t fret if your numeracy skills are lacking, and don’t let it discourage your decision to study business if that is what you want to do. 

Myth #3: Business is too general

You can argue that every degree is too general. However, it’s important for students to understand the absolute basics of what they’re studying before moving onto a specialized area within their degree. The same applies to studying business. Many business programs cover a variety of topics, tools, methods and frameworks, but will provide the opportunity to specialize through electives further into the program. 150 different elective courses are offered at IE Business School as part of their International MBA.

Myth #4: Business is easy

As the world of business intrudes every aspect of day-to-day life, from a café deciding how much to charge for a cappuccino, to multi-million-dollar business negotiations between companies and organizations, the theories and models behind such decisions can be very complex.

Studying business encompasses an extensive range of skill sets and expertise necessary to develop in-depth knowledge about the industry. It’s also important that students keep up-to-date with current affairs and trends within the business sector, so do your best to keep informed, even if it’s just watching the business news every evening (any excuse to watch television!)

Myth #5: The business job market is competitive

There’s competition in almost every other graduate field, and not just in business. Although you cannot change how well the job market is functioning when you graduate, you can take some steps during your studies to make yourself stand out.

Most business programs offer their students the opportunity to practically apply their business knowledge by having them undertake internships or placement schemes. An internship or placement scheme gives students a sense of business in the real world and to utilize their skill sets and expertise within a real working environment. Taking advantage of a placement scheme or internship can be hugely beneficial as it allows you to demonstrate and apply your academic knowledge within an authentic working environment where it really matters.

Myth #6: Career opportunities for business graduates are limited

Many assume that business graduates are restricted in the type of jobs they’re able to find, doomed to a stereotypical 9-5 office life. 

In reality, the fundamental expertise and innovate skill set you can gain from studying a business degree can expose you to a versatile job market, where opportunities await in various fields and industries. From sales and marketing, to media, to finance and banking to entrepreneurial start-ups, business graduates are also seeking career opportunities within the tech industry.

As technology continues to dominate the traditional business landscape, business graduates can be considered the ideal candidates who are able to bridge the gap between business and technology.

At IE Business School, graduates have gone onto become consultants, financial managers, entrepreneurs, marketing managers and more.

Myth #7: Your degree won’t be recognized with international universities or organizations

Attending an institution which is accredited with global rankings and has a good track record is always beneficial regardless of this misconception. IE Business School is recognized worldwide for its extensive range of bachelor’s programs, master’s programs and PhD courses and offer exchange programs to study elsewhere. 

This article was originally published on November 16th, 2018.

IE School of Architecture and Design

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By Josephine West

Indian students are choosing to apply for universities abroad due to concerns about the level of academic freedom in their own country, according to a new QS report.

The report, which is available to download here, shows numerous prospective Indian students feel that studying internationally will allow them to benefit from greater academic freedom in their subject area than they can access at home.

Ram Mohan, in Hyderabad, said: “There’s not as much academic freedom [in India] as there is outside, although there are similar topics, there’s not much freedom as to the choice of your research. I think research freedom is the most important aspect of a university.”

This view is shared by Pritha, in Chennai, who is looking to study a robotics master’s in the US. She said: “The marking system in India has some limitations and it doesn’t allow students to think outside the box. I’m interested in a particular area of robotics, but if I study here, I will be pushed to do something else. In the US we don’t have such limitations.”

For Indian students, academic freedom means access to modern teaching methods and equipment and the ability to pursue their own research interests and switch disciplines as they mature. For some Indian applicants, academic freedom means being at the vanguard of their research fields.

Gaurav in Mumbai said: “I would like to pursue research at the frontier of my field. India is actually ahead in lot of areas but not exactly in my field. So, I would like to see the best in the world before I come back to serve my own country.”

Indian applicants also suggest that international study can provide a route away from studying in an oppressive or challenging environment. Even just discovering a like-minded supervisor can provide the stimulating learning environment an international student seeks. Prospective master’s student Bijoy, in Delhi, considers teaching the most important factor when choosing a course. He said he values “who the professors are, what kind of experience they have and how they’re going to help me in the long run.”

Find out more about the motives of Indian applicants and what we can learn about STEM applicants in particular by downloading the full report.

Sponsored by the University of Johannesburg

Although we may not quite be at the stage of flying hoverboards and time travel, advances in artificial intelligence (AI), big data, virtual reality (VR) and other futuristic technologies have vastly accelerated over the last decade.

Thanks to the new challenges and opportunities that are being brought about by these technologies, there’s an increasing talent gap for innovative data literacy skills, over traditional technology skillsets. And despite the excitement that surrounds these innovative technologies, the fact they’re still in their relative infancy means it’s sometimes difficult to stay up-to-date with them, let alone one step ahead.

There are also concerns that universities are struggling to keep up with the pace, as the demand for universities to teach the theory and practice behind technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and virtual reality heightens.

Some universities are gearing their graduates to becoming ‘future fit’

The University of Johannesburg is one university that’s making a demonstrable effort to ensure its graduates are ‘future fit’ and able to deal with the challenges and opportunities that come with such advancements. They’re doing this by offering a number of technology-driven programs to help its students stand out from the crowd.

The university offers several extra-curricular courses as part of its Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering, including the Higher Certificate in Information Technology, Certificate in Cyber Security and Certificate in Digital Forensics.

In addition, its Computational Intelligence for Industry short-learning program will run for one semester, from February 2019 through to June 2019. Applications for the program close on December 10 2018, so be quick.

Break into big tech careers and thrive in a world of machines

Using data from PayScale and Neuvoo, read on to discover some exciting tech careers you could pursue which involve artificial intelligence, big data or virtual reality.

Data scientist

Average salary: US$91,476

In 2017, IBM released figures predicting that by 2020, the demand for data scientists, as well as data developers and data engineers will soar by 28 percent to 700,000 roles. Data scientists can work in practically any industry, organization, business or government.

Data scientists have superior knowledge of big data, as they measure and analyze data using machine learning to then forecast future opportunities, highlight potential problems and come up with viable and imaginative solutions.

UI designer

Average salary: US$63,723

Artificial intelligence has fast become an indispensable tool in technology. As a UI designer, you’ll be part of a software development team, and are expected to be a fantastic programmer, as well as be fluent in a range of web-based learning programming languages.

The University of Johannesburg offers a number of undergraduate degrees in information technology, and computer science and informatics, as well as an Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Information Technology Endorsement program, all of which are viable options for pursuing a career in UI design.

Robotics engineer

Average salary: US$81,027

Want to achieve your childhood ambitions of building real-life robots? As a robotic engineer, you’ll run the operations of developing AI machines for various products and services. You’ll need to have an expert knowledge of computer programming, as well as a strong background in big data and AI.

To break into this career, you’ll need to have a master’s or PhD in a relevant subject field. The University of Johannesburg’s Institute of Intelligent Systems will be launching a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence program, as well as a Computational Intelligence for Industry short-learning program which will provide students with a working knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning tools.

Virtual reality developer

Average salary: US$39,975

What was once assumed to be a fad is now a mass market technology. As a VR developer, you’ll have to study up on your software skills and ensure you stay up-to-date with all technological advances. Using computer animation and modelling programs, you’ll design complex graphics and animations which can depict two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects and illustrations.

Career prospects as a virtual reality developer are vast, considering how industries such as higher education, medicine, engineering, architecture and more are benefiting hugely from the revolutionary advances in virtual reality.

Sponsored by City, University of London

It’s that time of year again! If you’re a second-year undergraduate, you’re probably either beginning to apply for a placement year, or you’re already in the middle of applying. You might even have one lined up already.

Placement years are becoming increasingly popular. They’re a great opportunity to explore potential career paths, boost your CV, get a taste for the real world of work, and can be practically anywhere – even abroad.

Placement years also seem to be the ultimate deal-breaker for landing a job after graduating, as recent research shows employers prefer graduates who have first-hand experience in industry over first-class degrees.

We’ve teamed up with City, University of London to find out how you can benefit from working a year in industry.

Reason 1: Better your career prospects

Placement years can be notably useful for undergraduates looking to gain professional development. Not only will you enhance your soft skills, but you’ll rapidly develop specific technical expertise too.

They’re a great addition to your CV and can really help with the inevitable competition you’ll face during the turbulent graduate job search. Employers like to see that you’re motivated and passionate, as well as have a genuine interest in developing your industry awareness and knowledge.

Doing a placement year also means you’re able to ‘test-drive’ a career and make a more informed decision about what you want to do after you graduate.

Reason 2: Establish industry network connections

Building professional relationships with colleagues and clients is just as important as every other aspect of the job – you never know who you’re going to meet next. You may even come away with a job offer at the end, as City, University of London’s BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science student, Jasmine found out.

She told us: “Not only did I learn about the industry and the working culture in the UK, I was also able to secure a graduate role in the company.”

A remarkable 90 percent of City, University of London’s BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science graduates were in employment or further study six months after completing the course.

Reason 3: Get a taste of the real working world

Gone are the days of turning up to lectures hungover, or completely skipping them in favor of watching Netflix instead.

Undertaking a placement year means you’ll be given real responsibilities and opportunities that will be both challenging and interesting.

“It was also an opportunity to expand my network within the company and industry as a whole. I was fortunate to have done my placement year during a transformative time in the company. This allowed me to use cutting-edge technology and help shape its development,” says Jasmine.

The majority of placement year students are also usually paid a reasonable wage. While the average placement student earns on average £14,000 (~US$17,390), students at the School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering at City, University of London can earn up to £25,000 (~US$32,016), with some organizations sometimes paying significantly more.

Reason 4: Put theory into practice

A placement year doesn’t mean you’ll be the tea and coffee maker of the office (although, there may be the occasional tea run). Instead, it’s time to take what you’ve learned in the lecture hall into the real world. Impress your colleagues and maximize your confidence by applying what you’ve learned in your lectures, seminars and late-night library sessions to a real job.

Reason 5: A new and improved academic performance

A placement year can give students inspiration for final year projects and dissertations. It can also help develop your soft skills, such as being able to work in a team and the ability to solve complex problems, which are all valuable assets for both your academic and professional career, as Jasmine experienced.

She said: “I was able to gain inspiration for my final year project, and learn many soft skills that helped me throughout my final year at Cass.”

Research has shown that those who have undertaken an industrial placement often gain a better final degree classification.

Reason 6: Experience a new city

Although placement years are (mainly) about the learning and the working, it doesn’t mean you can’t also use the time to explore the place you’ll call home for 12 months, especially if you’ve moved abroad for your placement.

“I was given the opportunity to move to Belfast, which is a very different experience to London, and learn its history and culture,” says Jasmine.

Get help with your placement year at City, University of London

There are a huge number of placements available for undergraduate students across a wide range of industries and sectors. However, competition in securing a placement year position can be fierce. It may seem like a daunting process to start with, but your university can be on hand to help with the application process.

City, University of London has different placement scheme arrangements across its Schools. For example, it’s School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering has a Professional Liaison Unit which sets up placements for students, whereas City’s School of Arts and Social Sciences has its own Integrated Professional Training Program.

The outback of Australia is the place we all think of when we think of the true Aussie experience, with kangaroos hopping down the street, desert-like landscapes, and lush bushland waiting to be explored. It’s also a place that many think of visiting, but never actually get round to doing so. I mean, we don’t blame you…a lot of it is located in the middle of absolute nowhere. Did you know that the center of Australia is pretty much all untouched outback land?

While you may overlook a visit to the outback, here are 10 reasons why we think it should be a priority before you leave the Land of Oz. It wouldn’t be a true Aussie visit without it!

1. Witnessing iconic Aussie animals in their natural habitat

While you may not see a kangaroo hopping down the street in a Sydney suburb, the outback of Australia is a completely different story. Every animal or insect you have ever heard about before visiting the country (especially the dangerous ones) reside in the desert lands of the outback. From poisonous snakes to the famous Australian dingo, there will be no shortage of wildlife spotting.

2. You can check out one of the many movie sets

Due to its unique, Mars-like landscape, many directors have chosen to travel across the world to film in locations across the Australian outback. Mad Max 2 was filmed in Silverton, New South Wales, in a spooky abandoned ghost town. The pub, one of the main features of the town, actually has Max’s car still parked outside to this day.

3. Experiencing Ayers Rock in all its glory

The famous Ayers Rock, located in Uluru, is a rather large sandstone rock formation in the Northern Territory. It is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, being a very popular destination amongst tourists who flock in great numbers to witness this rock in all its glory. We understand why, as it’s pretty cool to witness a rock that was formed a whopping 550 million years ago. 

4. You can enjoy views of some of Australia’s best sunsets

The outback of Australia is known to boast some of most epic sunsets in Australia. The sky fills up with shades of orange and red as it beams down on the desert landscape, creating a truly magical thing to witness.

5. ...And sunrises

The sunrises are no exception. As the sun begins to rise in the distance, the light touches the landscape for the first time, creating a truly epic start to your day. Ayers Rock at sunrise allows for some truly spectacular photo-ops as the bright orange rock explodes with color.

6. Explore the waterfalls and canyons

While the outback may seem like just a whole lot of desert (which it is), there’s also some amazing water scenery to discover. What better way to end your day in the scorching hot outback than with a swim in one of the spectacular watering holes, with a waterfall flowing into it? Just make sure to watch out for crocs… just kidding (but not really).

7. Experience complete remoteness

You could drive for miles and never see another soul, and you will likely not run into people on your hike through the Australian bushland. There will be towns that you visit that are completely abandoned, and campsites where not even a kangaroo will pay a visit. It is truly so remote that you will be able to appreciate the landscape without any distractions. Allow yourself to unplug and take it all in.

8. Enjoy the magnificent star gazing

A big plus of complete remoteness is the complete lack of light pollution from big cities, meaning that nighttime stargazing will be like nothing you have ever seen before. Prepare for a spectacular night show every single night as the stars fill the sky, creating a complete dome of stars around you.

9. Experience #VanLife

If you’re traveling throughout the outback, chances are you’re camping along the way since there are little opportunities to stop at a five-star resort. This means you get to experience #VanLife in all its glory, sleeping in the bushland, waking up to an epic sunrises, and going without a shower for longer than you want to admit. It’s the dream!

10. Enjoy views that go on forever

The flat desert landscape of the outback seems as though it goes on forever, with so much untouched land that’s waiting to be discovered. So, what are you waiting for?

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