SURVIVAL TIPS PDF version
Studying aboard could be exciting experience for many students. New environment, different cultures and languages, or regulations and so on are what new students have to learn and adapt themselves to. It might look weird or strange at the very first days you came here but it is not too difficult to adjust yourselves to those new stuffs. This one-step section provides some survival tips in several matters that are useful for Thai students to stay and study at UQ,
Accommodation: http://www.accommodation.uq.edu.au
Transportation
412 (City express) to city – only specific stops such as Toowong, Auchenflower, City
411 (City bus) to city – all stops via Hawken drive
428 to Indooroopily shopping town – all stops
432 to Indooroopilly shopping town – only specific stops but faster
427 to Indooroopilly, Chappel Hill – only specific stops but faster
414, 415 (City bus) to Indooroopilly and Taringa = all stops
Please consult friends or bus drivers if you are not sure about the appropriate bus!
You can check bus timetable at the bus stops or grab some bus timetable pamphlets from student centre, 2nd floor student union bdg., or any BCC’s customer service office (such as Indooroopilly shopping town, City Plaza etc.).
Furthermore, Citycat that departs from UQ every half an hour is a must to ride to city or to explore beautiful
For more public transport information please visit Translink information website (http://www.translink.com.au)
Translation of driving license
Overseas students including Thai students are eligible to use their own country-issued driving license accompanying with its officially certified translation by using translating and interpreting service. This service is now located in
There seems to be some confusion about the need for “Permission to Work” visas as part of the student visa.
- Students (and dependant) visas issued after 1/12/98 do not include the right to work. Holders of student visas issued after this date who wishes to work during semester and holidays also need to obtain a second visa: the ‘Permission to Work’ student visa, in order to work legally.
- Those student (or Dependant) visas issued before 1/12/98 include work rights and holders of these visas do not need the additional ‘Permission to Work’ student visa. When renewing student visas issued before 1/12/98 the renewed visa has the same conditions as the original one, and the holder (or dependant) does not need a ‘Permission to Work’ visa.
- However, if you let a visa issued before 1/12/98 lapse and you need another visa, this is treated as a new application. The new visa will not include work rights and you also need to obtain the ‘Permission to Work’ student visa in order to work legally during semester or long holidays.
- Even with a ‘Permission to Work’ visa there remains a limit on the hours you may work: 20 hours per week during semester and full time during holiday periods. University rules further restrict PhD student to no more than 18 hours work per week, and work should be in an area related to your studies.
- Dependants with ‘Permission to Work’ visas are limited to 20 hours per week (dependants of undergrads) and full-time work for dependants of postgrads.
- The Student Centre at St.Lucia and
International Sudent Support Staff have more information, and can help with queries about ‘Permission to Work’ student visas.
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm
Where to eat
There are many places that you can find something to eat around and nearby St.Lucia campus. You can find varieties of relatively cheap western food in three refectories around campus.
Main refectory: Union complex
Biological science refectory: Under biological science library
Physiological refectory: Under the physiology lecture theatre
However, if your stomach cannot take the taste of Western food, some snacks can be purchased.
In addition, there are café where you can taste god quality drinks and food around uni i.e. Wordsmith Café (next to UQ’s bookshop), Pizza Café (near Schonell Theatre).
The other is in
On-campus shopping
On campus, if you want to buy some pieces and bits goods, there are many shops that can fulfil your immediate needs. Most of them are located in Union building such as:
Campus pharmacy: Pharmaceutical, photo processing, toiletries, etc.
Other shops: Lollies, snacks, drinks, etc.
Off-campus area
Again, you can find what you mostly need in convenience stores at
Nearby suburb area
Once you start getting used to the area and know more about bus routes, you can snoop around more outside. The most convenient shopping centre is
How to get there?
Catch the 412 or 411 and tell the driver that you will get off at Toowong.
Two supermarkets are in Toowong area, Coles and Woolworth. Coles is in
Another shopping place for students is at Indooroopilly shopping town,
Catch the 428, 432, or 427 bus and ask the driver that you would like to go to Indooroopilly shopping town. Varieties of specialty shops and supermarkets such as Woolworths, K-mart, Priceline are found there.
Shopping comments
Generally, the cheapest place to buy your groceries is at the large supermakets such as Woolworths and Coles. Food for less at
Clothing
The cheapest clothing stores are places like K-mart, Big W and Best and less. End of season and stock take sales are good place to pick up a bargain. Markets and op-shops are also great places to obtain cheap clothing and shoes.
Furniture
Keep your eyes on notice bards all around the university. There are lads of students who graduate and heading back to their country. Most of them always open for garage sale. Another choice is to search in newspaper such Couriers Mail’s Saturday paper, Trading post where heaps of second hand goods are advertised.
