Whether you’ve already been accepted into your dream course or you’re still thinking about going to uni, you’re probably also considering the pros and cons of leaving your hometown to pursue your studies.
So, should you make the move from regional WA to Perth for uni, and is it worth it?
Here are the top five reasons to move to Perth for uni – and what three students have to say about their experience.
1. Broaden your community and friendship groups
The friends and community you make along the way are some of the most treasured experiences about studying at uni. On and off campus, you’ll find welcoming and diverse communities to meet new people and make friends.
And as a student from regional WA, you won’t be the only new person on campus at Curtin – you’ll be part of a wider community inclusive of students from over 160 countries around the world.
Through a Curtin club, Student Guild social event, social sport or the Curtin gym, you can meet like-minded people with similar interests, or try something new and discover a welcoming community.
You can get involved in a wide range of community groups off campus, too. Joining a sports club or volunteering with a local community group is a great way to network and make connections that could help get your foot in the door for potential work opportunities.
2. Explore work and career opportunities
Studying in a city flourishing with a mix of businesses, trades and industries means access to loads more diverse job opportunities than you might find regionally.
Get career advice and support from Curtin Careers to help you land your dream job, or find work experience, internships and industry placements around Perth to network within your chosen industry and increase your job prospects before you graduate.
More options for work also means you can find part-time work while you study to help keep your budget on track (and save money for the fun stuff, too). You can search for work online, reach out to businesses in person, or check out employment opportunities with the Student Guild.
3. Entertainment and adventure at your doorstep
Food, sport, live music, shopping and the arts – studying in Perth means there are countless things to see and do.
With venues like Elizabeth Quay, RAC Arena, Optus Stadium and the Western Australian Museum, Perth is a hub of arts and entertainment options.
Spend your weekends at the beach, meeting animals at Perth Zoo, or wandering around Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
Being close to so many great venues and a buzzing food scene means you can celebrate the end of semester at a rooftop bar or your local pub, or catch up on a group project at a boutique café.
On campus, Curtin offers loads of different cultural, sports, science, political and faculty-based Curtin clubs and societies like an Agriculture Association, Writers Club, Photography Club, sports clubs and more.
If you enjoy a bit of retail therapy, or fancy yourself a foodie, Curtin Exchange has good food and shopping options available to you right on campus, or you can explore Perth’s retail precincts, markets, boutique shops and shopping centres.
4. A chance to push yourself outside your comfort zone
If moving to Perth for uni is your first time living away from home, then it’s also likely your first time in a share house, campus residence or rental.
While the experience might feel different and unfamiliar (at first), it’s a chance to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and build your independence.
Studying in Perth is a great opportunity to be open to new experiences, and some of the best memories you make are the ones you never expected.
5. Experience the move with support
No matter where you are in your journey –from your first day, to the end of your first year – there is support available to you to help make your experience studying in Perth as smooth as possible.
You can reach out to a range of services at Curtin, including:
What’s it like moving to Perth for uni?
So, with all of this in mind, what’s it actually like to move to Perth for uni? We hear from three students about their experiences.
Aaron’s experience
Aaron made the move to Perth from his regional hometown. He says getting out there and seeing what the city has to offer helped him find his feet in a new place.
“I think the one thing that helped me settle in, coming from a regional area, was having the golf course, the city, the beach all relatively close to you,” says Aaron.
“There’s a lot of activities to do with the new friends that you make.”
Katelyn’s experience
For Katelyn, she chose to live at campus accommodation to settle in, Saint Catherine’s.
“One of the ways that really helped me settle in is being here at St Cat’s. The college activities are so embracing of everyone and putting myself out there.”
Musa’s experience
Musa found his experience moving to Perth for uni was an opportunity to put himself out there and connect with others.
“One of the ways I found it easy to transition from living away from home is by finding a close group of friends which I could rely on and that would support me if I had any difficulties while I was down in Perth,” says Musa.
“Honestly, it’s just saying hello, saying hi, it’s easy to make friends with anyone.”
Ready to make the move to Perth for uni?