Deutsch
Ozeania
Oceania is a region made up of thousands of islands throughout the Central and South Pacific Ocean.
It includes Australia, the smallest continent in terms of total land area, as well as New Zealand. Most of Oceania is under the Pacific, a vast body of water that is larger than all the Earth's continental landmasses and islands combined.
Due to its isolation from the rest of the world, Australia and New Zealand have an incredibly high number of endemic species, or species that are found nowhere else on Earth.
Countries
Australia
Your biggest dream has always been going "down under"?
Experiencing freedom and adventure, feeling the wilderness and width and discovering the ethnical diversity of a multicultural state! Even though it is the smallest contintent, do not underestimate the size of this "last frontier" and the variety an all matters you can find here, especially in nature. Whether you prefer water and diving in the Great Barrier Reef or exploring the vast wilderness inland to see some kangaroos or koalas, Australia has something for everyone.
Australians are known for their open minds and their easy going attitude, so you can be sure to make some friends and enjoy your free time with locals or the many internationals in Australias bigger cities. So get ready to jump into your own personal adventure full of new exciting discoveries, mate!
For details, click here.
Universities
Cost of Living
Living in Australia can be expensive. Rent, Groceries and Leisure activities are generally higher than in Germany. For details, click here.
Safety and Crime
End of 2015 the Australian government introduced a National Terrorism Threat Advisory System. See also here.
Country specific advices
Beware of poisonous and/or dangerous animals (spiders, jellyfish, snakes, sharks, crocodiles, etc.) extreme climates and landscapes. Don't import forbidden food when arriving to Australia. Respect aboriginal customs (no talking about hygiene, sex and poverty; no climbing on Uluru and other sacred aboriginal places).
Entry Requirements and Visa
Most foreign nationals, including Germans, who wish to stay longer than three months in Australia require a visa (subclass 500). Visa costs of around AUD 630, unless exempt.
To study at one of Macromedia University's partner universities students are required to take out a student visa and not a working or holiday visa due to insurance reasons. Visas, depending on your country of citizenship, are divided into different assessment levels. An overview can be found here.
The issuing of Student Visas may take a day or also a few weeks, depending on when you apply and if your documents are complete. Please make sure you hand in complete documentation every time, check your e-mail accounts (also spam folders) and the online account of the Immigration Service regularly.
Required documents and conditions for issuing a student visa:
- Proof of health insurance policy (Overseas Student Health Cover - OSHC) providing coverage for the length of your student visa
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), issued by the partner university
When applying, you may be required to provide proof of sufficient financial resources. You must also complete the Australian Values Statement, where you agree to abide by Australia's laws and respect the Australian way of life. The document "Life in Australia", published by the Home Office, contains a relatively detailed description of the contents of the statement. Under certain circumstances, you will have to submit evidence of a medical examination conducted by a physician designated by the Australian Government. Macromedia students only rarely would fall into this category, but you need to check before applying for your visa.
The visa currently allows you to work in Australia (during term time, up to 40 hours per fortnight; during semester break, 40 hours per week), but only after classes start. You can read more detailed information on the Department for Immigration and Citizenship webpage. Voluntary work for which you are not paid is not counted for the weekly limit.
Diplomatic Missions
New Zealand
Wake up in paradise!
New Zealand - Māori Aotearoa - truly is one of the most picturesque and photogenic places on earth. A small island nation of just over 4 million people, New Zealand is made up of two major land masses (North Island and South Island) and a number of smaller islands including Stewart Island located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Discover the homeland of the Maori, a country of great contrast and diversity, and visit the beautiful shooting locations of "Lord of the rings" and "The Hobbit". New Zealand's southernmost city (and also one of the southernmost cities in the world) has plenty of character and a warm, friendly heart and is only two hours drive away from Queenstown.
For details, click here.
Universities
Southern Institute of Technology, Invercargill
Cost of Living
Rent, Groceries and Leisure activities are generally higher in New Zealand than in Germany. For details, click here.
Safety and Crime
In general, crime is less prevalant in New Zealand than in major cities in Europe, the majority of crimes are crimes of opportunity. See also here.
Country specific advices
New Zealand is in a seismic very activ zone and light earthquakes are the order of the day as a result. Therefore visitors should be familiar with behavioural rules in case of earthquakes and possibly resulting tsunamies.
Entry Requirements and Visa
If the length of the course you are planning to study is designed to last for longer than 3 months, you must apply for a student visa, regardless of how long you plan to study in New Zealand. Detailed information about visa can be found here.