The best of both worlds is at University of Ballarat. Modern methods and facilities sit side by side with histroy, heritage and the Aussie bush at the Mt Helen campus, which is a modern facility, with extensive links to local information technology firms. It sits next to a major technology park, but is also far enough away from the big cities for international students to experience the real Australia. It's not rare to see koalas or kangaroos in nearby bushland, or even on the campus itself.
Ballarat is 120km west of Melbourne, and just 80 minutes drive to Tullamarine International airport - less time than it takes from many suburbs of Melbourne. The city and University have a shining future and a golden past. People from across the globe swelled the streets in the 1850s, hoping to find their fortunes in the local soils. This sudden wealth and population led to the growth of a magnificent Victorian-era city, and organisations that are still operating today. They include the School of Mines Ballarat, which turns 130 this year and is Australia's oldest Technical and Further Education institute. It merged with the University in 1998, and is now known as the SMB campus.
Another landmark for the University was the establishment of the Ballarat Technology Park with the local City council. The site is next to the Mt Helen campus, and houses several major businesses, including IBM Global Services, Oztrak and several enterprises launched by current and former students. This is just a small part of the extensive industry links that the University has forged.
For example, computing students can now complete one of Australia's few Information Technology degrees with a year of paid work placement in the middle.
Many major firms from across the country come straight to the campus to look for staff, knowing they will get a work-ready employee who has stayed ahead of technology, and been educated with their company in mind.
The University caters for the real world, especially when it comes to the needs of rural or isolated people. It is one of eight universities in the state of Victoria, but the only one fully-based in the country. The University is involved in many projects helping to break the distance barrier by using information technology, and this is not limited to our computing classes. Examples include the first ever Online Australia Field Day, the 'Internet to the Outback' teaching program, the Uthnet health education program for country Victorian schools, and Virtual Mentoring, where tertiary students help secondary students in isolated schools with special research projects via e-mail.
But back on campus, life on campus is relaxed, comfortable and free of distractions if you want it to be. For students wanting a more rounded university experience, the campus has an indoor heated pool, sports stadiums, ovals, running track, gym, native bushland, social clubs, shops, cafes, and activities such as rock-climbing and camping through the Unisports program.
Off campus, students can hike or visit aboriginal art sites in the Grampians, rock-climb at Mt Arapiles, stop to surf along the Great Ocean Road, or come face to face with furry friends at the Ballarat Wildlife Park.
One of the city's biggest drawcards is Sovereign Hill historical park, a recreated 1850s village just five minutes' drive from the Mt Helen campus. In fact, local and regional bus routes to the campus travel straight past Sovereign Hill, and link up with coach and train services in the centre of Ballarat. They in turn are linked to routes to Melbourne or Adelaide. Another bus service to Geelong and the surf coast stops at the Mt Helen campus.
Meanwhile, classes at the University are generally small and friendly. Students are more likely to get personal attention and feel like a valued member of the University, not a number. People remember your name, and that can make a big difference. The warm welcome gives students a greater chance of finding new friends, fitting in, staying on and doing well. Going into the right environment from the start means international students have a firm foundation for whatever course they chose. Choose the wrong environment, and it can be a lonely experience - or a very costly one if things don't work out. Staff and students often organise informal meals or social functions to get to know new students, which is something you will not find elsewhere. The Mt Helen campus also has two general practitioners, six counsellors, five chaplains, a short-term student loan service and international student experts who can help anyone dealing with issues away from home for the first time.
For more on courses in the University of Ballarat visit:
Gabrielle Hodson
Media Liaison
University of Ballarat - Mt Helen campus
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