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.

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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.

由约翰内斯堡大学赞助

虽然我们可能还没有完全处于飞行悬浮滑板和时间旅行的阶段，但人工智能 (AI)、大数据、虚拟现实 (VR) 和其他未来技术的进步在过去十年中大大加速。

由于这些技术带来了新的挑战和机遇，创新数据素养技能的人才缺口越来越大，超过了传统的技术技能组合。尽管围绕这些创新技术令人兴奋，但它们仍处于相对起步阶段的事实意味着有时很难与它们保持同步，更不用说领先一步了。

也有人担心大学正在努力跟上步伐，因为对大学教授人工智能、大数据和虚拟现实等技术背后的理论和实践的需求不断增加。

一些大学正在让他们的毕业生成为“适合未来的人”

约翰内斯堡大学是一所正在努力确保其毕业生“适应未来”并能够应对此类进步带来的挑战和机遇的大学。他们通过提供许多技术驱动的计划来帮助学生从人群中脱颖而出。

作为计算机科学与软件工程学院的一部分，该大学提供了几门课外课程，包括信息技术高级证书、网络安全证书和数字取证证书。

此外，其工业计算智能短期学习项目将运行一个学期，从 2019 年 2 月到 2019 年 6 月。该计划的申请将于 2018 年 12 月 10 日截止，所以要抓紧时间。

闯入大型科技行业，在机器世界中茁壮成长

使用来自 PayScale 和 Neuvoo 的数据，继续阅读以发现一些您可以从事的令人兴奋的技术职业，这些职业涉及人工智能、大数据或虚拟现实。

数据科学家

平均工资：91,476 美元

2017 年，IBM 发布的数据预测，到 2020 年，对数据科学家以及数据开发人员和数据工程师的需求将飙升 28%，达到 700,000 个职位。数据科学家几乎可以在任何行业、组织、企业或政府工作。 数据科学家对大数据拥有丰富的知识，因为他们使用机器学习测量和分析数据，然后预测未来机会，突出潜在问题并提出可行且富有想象力的解决方案。

界面设计师

平均工资：63,723美元

人工智能已迅速成为技术中不可或缺的工具。作为 UI 设计师，您将成为软件开发团队的一员，并有望成为出色的程序员，并精通一系列基于 Web 的学习编程语言。

约翰内斯堡大学提供多个本科学位，包括：信息技术、计算机科学和信息学，以及具有信息技术认可计划的电气和电子工程，所有这些都是从事 UI 设计职业的可行选择。

机器人工程师

平均工资：81,027 美元

想要实现您儿时建造现实机器人的抱负吗？作为一名机器人工程师，您将负责为各种产品和服务开发 AI 机器。您需要具备计算机编程方面的专业知识，以及大数据和人工智能方面的深厚背景。

要进入这个职业，你需要拥有相关学科领域的硕士或博士学位。约翰内斯堡大学智能系统研究所将推出人工智能硕士课程，以及工业计算智能短期学习课程，为学生提供人工智能和机器学习工具的工作知识。

虚拟现实开发者

平均工资：39,975 美元

曾经被认为是一种时尚的东西现在是一种大众市场技术。作为一名 VR 开发人员，您必须学习自己的软件技能，并确保您与所有技术进步保持同步。使用计算机动画和建模程序，您将设计可以描绘二维和三维对象和插图的复杂图形和动画。

考虑到高等教育、医学、工程、建筑等行业如何从虚拟现实的革命性进步中受益匪浅，作为虚拟现实开发人员的职业前景广阔。

由伦敦大学城市学院赞助

又到了每年的这个时候！如果您是二年级本科生，您可能正在开始申请实习年，或者您已经在申请中。你甚至可能已经排好队了。 实习年越来越受欢迎。他们是探索潜在职业道路、提升简历、体验真实工作世界的绝佳机会，而且几乎可以在任何地方——甚至在国外。

实习年似乎也是毕业后找到工作的最终决定因素，因为最近的研究表明，与一流学位相比，雇主更喜欢在行业拥有第一手经验的毕业生。

我们与伦敦大学城市学院合作，了解您如何从一年的行业工作中受益。

原因1：更好的职业前景

实习年对于希望获得专业发展的本科生来说尤其有用。您不仅会提高自己的软技能，还会迅速发展特定的技术专长。

它们是您简历的重要补充，可以真正帮助您在动荡的毕业生求职过程中面临不可避免的竞争。雇主喜欢看到你充满动力和热情，并且对发展你的行业意识和知识有真正的兴趣。

做一个实习年还意味着你能够“试驾”一份职业，并对毕业后想做什么做出更明智的决定。

原因二：建立行业网络连接

与同事和客户建立专业关系与工作的其他方面一样重要——你永远不知道接下来会遇到谁。正如伦敦大学城市学院精算学（荣誉）理学士学生 Jasmine 发现的那样，你甚至可能在最后获得一份工作机会。

她告诉我们：“我不仅了解了英国的行业和工作文化，还能够在公司获得毕业生职位。”

90% 的伦敦大学城市大学精算学理学士（荣誉）学位毕业生在完成课程六个月后就业或继续深造。

原因 3：体验真实的工作世界

宿醉去听讲座或完全跳过讲座转而观看 Netflix 的日子已经一去不复返了。

进行实习一年意味着您将获得真正的责任和机会，这些责任和机会既具有挑战性又很有趣。

“这也是一个扩大我在公司和整个行业内的网络的机会。我很幸运能够在公司转型时期完成我的实习年。这让我能够使用尖端技术并帮助塑造它的发展，”Jasmine 说。

大多数实习年的学生通常也获得合理的工资。虽然实习学生的平均收入为 14,000 英镑（约 17,390 美元），但伦敦大学城市数学、计算机科学与工程学院的学生可以赚取高达 25,000 英镑（约 32,016 美元），一些组织有时会支付明显更多。

理由四：理论付诸实践

实习年并不意味着您将成为办公室的茶和咖啡制造商（尽管可能偶尔会有茶会）。相反，是时候将您在演讲厅中学到的知识带入现实世界了。通过将您在讲座、研讨会和深夜图书馆课程中学到的知识应用到实际工作中，给您的同事留下深刻印象并最大限度地提高您的信心。

原因 5：新的和改进的学习成绩

实习年可以为学生最后一年的项目和论文提供灵感。它还可以帮助培养你的软技能，例如能够在团队中工作和解决复杂问题的能力，正如 Jasmine 所经历的那样，这些都是你的学术和职业生涯的宝贵资产。

她说：“我能够为我最后一年的项目获得灵感，并学习了许多软技能，这些技能在我在 Cass 的最后一年帮助了我。”

研究表明，那些进行过产业实习的人通常会获得更好的最终学位分类。

理由六：体验新城市

虽然实习年（主要）是关于学习和工作，但这并不意味着你不能也用时间去探索你将称之为家的地方 12 个月，特别是如果你已经移居国外进行安置.

“我有机会搬到贝尔法斯特，这是与伦敦截然不同的体验，并了解它的历史和文化，”Jasmine 说。

获得有关伦敦大学城市学院实习年的帮助

广泛的行业和部门为本科生提供了大量的实习机会。然而，确保安置年职位的竞争可能很激烈。开始这似乎是一个令人生畏的过程，但您的大学可以随时为申请过程提供帮助。

伦敦大学城市学院有不同的实习计划安排。 例如，它的数学、计算机科学与工程学院有一个专业联络单位，为学生安排实习，而城市艺术与社会科学学院有自己的综合专业培训计划。

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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