Perth is a one of a kind destination where you will experience unique differences from the rest of Australia while still getting a deep understanding of the Australian lifestyle. The city of Perth is only a short 20 minute distance from numerous beaches that attract surfers, families and university students. The laid back lifestyle is something that Perth prides itself on as well as its cultural diversity. The cultural experiences and opportunities are endless here!
With 100,000 students in Perth, 30,000 of those being international students, there is incredible opportunity to reach the world for Christ. Partly due to the laid back feel of Perth, it is common for students to be apathetic to the Gospel and truly need strong leadership and discipleship opportunities to start or grow their faith. You could be part of a team to come alongside fellow students and share your faith while you are studying at university making an eternal difference in so many students lives.
University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, Murdoch University, or Edith Cowan University (ECU).
Currently the missionary team in Perth is on the UWA and Curtin Campuses with the hopes of being able to grow onto others in the future like ECU and Murdoch Universities. UWA Campus has beautiful architecture throughout the campus and has an outdoor big screen for films! Curtin University has a modern feel to it and also puts bean bag chairs on the lawn for any student to use daily!
These universities offer a wide variety of programs for coursework that will count towards most students’ degrees. The study abroad office on your campus can help you select the courses you need for your degree requirements. Your course load will be similar to a normal load (about 16 credit hours) of classes you would have in the States.
What a typical week would look like in Perth has a similar structure to what you may be used to back at home with a few slight differences. Since this is the first year that Cru (called Power to Change in Australia) is in Perth there are currently not large group weekly meetings. Instead the focus of the ministry is focused on building relationships through one on one meetings with students, small group Bible studies, and a time to connect with other students on campus. The hours on campus that are best to do ministry are generally 9am-4pm.
You will be actively involved in ministry activities and sharing your faith throughout the week. Additionally, you will receive ministry training and personal development and you will help lead various aspects within the team. Expect about 10-15 hours/week of involvement worked around your classwork. But don’t worry, you will still have plenty of time to rest, engage with the culture and explore this beautiful city!
Curtin University, University of Western Australia, and Murdoch University all have accommodations near campus that international study abroad students are able to use. Another option is renting near the campus somewhere in a nearby suburb with flatmates. Edith Cowan University has multiple campuses in Perth and housing would also be available to students nearby campus. With all of the housing options it is important to apply the earliest you can to ensure a spot.
No! Perth is incredibly multicultural, with many migrants from Asia, the Middle East and Europe. But English is the official language.
The cost of tuition and fees varies by each campus and by the university you currently attend. If your university has a direct exchange with one of these Perth campuses, the tuition will be similar to what you are currently paying. Check with your school’s study abroad department for pricing, they will be helpful in the process.
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