So i was thinking of taking a year abroad

[Jeros]

If you're going to be going to Uni in said country, then pick Oz. Absolutely first class institutions.

Defo leaning that way, i lived in oz for just over a year and loved it, hence i intend to move there permanently in the next 10 years

 

[DaGaffer]

Defo leaning that way, i lived in oz for just over a year and loved it, hence i intend to move there permanently in the next 10 years

I'd say that's all the more reason to do the US while you can. If you're going to end up in Australia anyway...

 

[StRaNgEdAyS]

Do the Degree in Oz, then travel on the back of it. Come back to Oz if you wish when you want to settle.

 

[YankMom]

I cant do more than one as i will be at a university in said country

Not at the same time Do one, then the other.

The US could be fun if you don't ruin it with sticking to one place. I'd like to spend a few years doing nothing but traveling - spend one year traveling to all of the civil war battlefields - spend one season following around my favorite ball team to each of their games - fly to the east coast, buy a super 50's car & spend about 4 months driving it across the original route 66 - spend a year traveling to gravesites of all of our past presidents - spend another 6 months traveling to each of the national parks (with special attention to diamond state national park - the only one where you keep the diamonds you dig up!) - spend one year traveling around to all the seediest dives finding the best local bands that each area has to offer.

 

[Ch3tan]

Defo leaning that way, i lived in oz for just over a year and loved it, hence i intend to move there permanently in the next 10 years

Then you will gain nothing from going there for another year to study, go to the US.

 

[Zede]

Your gone for a year ? Why the hell are you limiting yourself to ONE country ?

A year, lets see...

USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, over to Cambodia, India...man get with it !!

 

[Ch3tan]

Because its a year of study and he had to chose one place to do it? Does no one read posts anymore?

 

[YankMom]

Ch3tan is correct. What's your field of study, Jeros?

 

[SWtarget]

Then you will gain nothing from going there for another year to study, go to the US.

This.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Why can't I access page 2 of this thread, it just goes to page 1?

 

[StRaNgEdAyS]

Just click the page# whatever the last page is on yout settings. It's because some posts from the (and I quote ) :cocksucking arsebandit tosser" were deleted.
Though new posts have been made now, so it should work as advertised.

 

[Deebs]

Just click the page# whatever the last page is on yout settings. It's because some posts from the (and I quote ) :cocksucking arsebandit tosser" were deleted.
Though new posts have been made now, so it should work as advertised.

Hehe

You are correct Strange, I deleted the posts made in my son's name by cocksucker.

 

[SilverHood]

Texas? Fucking TEXAS??? The armpit of the fucking universe. While I'd recommend the US over Oz for a year out, its got to be in one of the civilised parts (clue, next to an Ocean). Lets face it, if you're being given that kind of opportunity, what would you prefer to say to your grandkids in 50 years time, that you lived in New York or LA for a year, or fucking redneck central? (NB. I know Austin is all right, but there a still a ton of better places to stay in the US).

If it was me, I'd choose NY. I always wanted to work there, just for a while.

Working in NYC and studying there are two totally different things. Depending on your field of study, you're somewhat limited in NYC, since there's very few schools there. Good fashion school, and Columbia is a top school. NYU... not so much. The student experience would probably be far better almost anywhere else. Plus, living in Manhattan is *very* expensive.

The reason I said Texas is that they have a boatload of good schools, and their student life is amazing. If you like sports, then pick any of the major colleges and you're in for a fun year. Sunshine and cheap living costs are a major plus too

Oh, and if going west coast, check out Uni of Southern California (aka USC)

 

[YankMom]

If you do go to Texas, go to Austin. It's completely nanny-ish, just like Europe. There's miles of bike trails, hookers on the downtown corners, radio hosts with nasaly voices whining about trash on the streets (both pieces!) and lack of polizei to round up the person who put it there, and plenty of alcohol to spare.

 

[Jeros]

Ch3tan is correct. What's your field of study, Jeros?

Geology

 

[Milkshake]

I may have a little information for you...

Hey Jeros,

I'm currently writing to you from the mecca that is Darwin Airport - I've just spend three and a half months in and around Australia, and before that I travelled for two months in the US. I leave for Asia in 2 hours time

It's quite a question, Oz or US? There are many things to take into account and it very much depends what sort of person you are. I can't vouch for the educational institutions in either place, but I've travelled a great deal within both. I also don't know what the geological value in either are.

After seeing what I've seen, I would tell you to go to Oz. Not only would it be much easier to get a VISA, the weather is more clement and the geology (and flaura and fauna) would be so different to what you would be used to in the UK.

But don't stick to the cities in Australia - get out into the outback. Travel, adventure, suffer and see the things that people only dream about. I've seen wild camel herds, huge hawks, crazy wild emus and wombats and bats and birds and all sorts...

Cities to be in are either Sydney or Brisbane - I really enjoyed Brisbane but Sydney is closer to the mountain ranges and the famed Blue Mountains. Visit Echo Valley and the Blue Mountains National Park then head into the Jenolan Caves - as a geologist you'd probably be in heaven. Don't bother with Adelaide or Melbourne. If you do get out to Ayres Rock, climb it.

If you want to ask me any questions, just PM me or e-mail me at spedge at g mail dot com (or do it through here so people can read the on-going saga) and I'll answer as soon as I can, but remember I'm travelling

 

[DaGaffer]

Brisbane is a boring dump. Sydney is probably one of the prettiest cities in the world (I'd imagine getting the ferry to the CBD from Manly for work every morning would never get old), but also surprisingly dull. Melbourne is much more interesting from a social POV. I too would recommend getting out in to the bush, and as a geology student I'd kind of assume that was a given anyway.

But as for Milkshake's other comments; "the weather is more clement in Australia"; WHAT??? Apart from the fact that both places are so huge that the statement is meaningless, the weather in Australia is just another thing that's actively trying to kill you (highest skin cancer rates in the world by a country mile remember?) Overall the US has FAR more temperate regions than Australia. I'd also question the comment about flora and fauna; yes its certainly different, but North America isn't exactly short of wildlife either.

I can't comment on the geology, isn't Australia like the oldest continent or something?

 

[StRaNgEdAyS]

The geology in Australia is awesome. If your doing geology I'd seriously recommend James Cook University of North Queensland in Townsville. I did my B.A (Anth/Arch) [yes, double major] there. They say God probably made Queensland, if that is so then he chose to reside in the far north. The Daintree and the Atherton Tablelands are nothing short of spectacular. I lived up there for almost half my life, by far the longest time I've spent in one place. While I couldn't see myself going back to Townsville, I'd definitely consider retiring in the Tablelands.

 

[DaGaffer]

The geology in Australia is awesome. If your doing geology I'd seriously recommend James Cook University of North Queensland in Townsville. I did my B.A (Anth/Arch) [yes, double major] there. They say God probably made Queensland, if that is so then he chose to reside in the far north. The Daintree and the Atherton Tablelands are nothing short of spectacular. I lived up there for almost half my life, by far the longest time I've spent in one place. While I couldn't see myself going back to Townsville, I'd definitely consider retiring in the Tablelands.

They also say the reason they don't put the clocks back in Queensland is because if they did, they'd have to put them back 20 years....

 

[Jail Bait]

The geology in Australia is awesome. If your doing geology I'd seriously recommend James Cook University of North Queensland in Townsville. I did my B.A (Anth/Arch) [yes, double major] there. They say God probably made Queensland, if that is so then he chose to reside in the far north. The Daintree and the Atherton Tablelands are nothing short of spectacular. I lived up there for almost half my life, by far the longest time I've spent in one place. While I couldn't see myself going back to Townsville, I'd definitely consider retiring in the Tablelands.

But it is DRY

Canada has you beat hands down in the geology there SD

40% of the worlds mining companies are based in Vancouver BC

 

[TdC]

true, but Oz has the third largest iron ore port in the world, and iirc the richest uranium deposits bar none, but hey depends what geology you're after I suppose.

also, the east coast of Aus is wet(ter), and they actually have green things there, rather than the predominant colours being red or blue o0.

I'll not deny Canada being awesome though. Fwiw, it's the only place in the northeren americas that draws me. I really want to see the forests and the rockies

 

[StRaNgEdAyS]

But it is DRY

Canada has you beat hands down in the geology there SD

40% of the worlds mining companies are based in Vancouver BC

North Queensland is the wettest part of the country. Tully has the highest rainfall of the entire continent.
Milla Milla Falls on the Atheron Tablelands.

Malanda Falls also on the Atherton Tablelands.

Barron Falls at Kuranda just north of Cairns.

The Tully River (in a slow calm spot)

Atherton Tablelands.

Daintree.

Cape Tribulation.

The Great Barrier Reef. (One photo does not do it justice, it's about one and a half thousand miles long!)

 

[Jeros]

Well i lived in Adelaide for a year and a half or so i have some idea of oz, just did not get to see anything as i was working the whole time.

Hmmmm decisions decisions.....

And yes the Geology is Australia is ancient and VERY important in the greater scale of things, i think it was Australia where they might have found evidence for life in rocks dating back to before our generally accepted belief of life beginning on earth.

I think i have untill September to decide if i want to apply for the year abroad, so i have some time to think and up to sept 2012 save up money (assuming i can get a job in this ****ing economy).

 

[Jail Bait]

I see your waterfalls and raise you two

A thundering waterfall which plunges a total of 380 metres to the Yoho River below, the Takakkaw Falls are the second highest waterfall in Canada and are situated in the Yoho National Park of BC.

helmcken falls bc

 

[Milkshake]

Brisbane is a boring dump. Sydney is probably one of the prettiest cities in the world (I'd imagine getting the ferry to the CBD from Manly for work every morning would never get old), but also surprisingly dull. Melbourne is much more interesting from a social POV. I too would recommend getting out in to the bush, and as a geology student I'd kind of assume that was a given anyway.

But as for Milkshake's other comments; "the weather is more clement in Australia"; WHAT??? Apart from the fact that both places are so huge that the statement is meaningless, the weather in Australia is just another thing that's actively trying to kill you (highest skin cancer rates in the world by a country mile remember?) Overall the US has FAR more temperate regions than Australia. I'd also question the comment about flora and fauna; yes its certainly different, but North America isn't exactly short of wildlife either.

I can't comment on the geology, isn't Australia like the oldest continent or something?

Sure sounds like we disagree on most things here old chap. I'm interested to find what you felt was boring about Sydney and Brisbane? I thought the bars and nightlife were excellent and the people friendly. Both had great places to eat and things to do during the day - including plenty of places to lie out in the sun. And Sydney has both the Blue Mountains and Bondi within it's reach, Rugby, Cricket and AFL live and easy to get to (and relatively acceptable ticket prices) I've got to ask what actually entertains you?

Australia does indeed have the worst case of skin cancer in the world, it's true and such a sad statistic. Be sure to slip, slop, slap if you are going over there. I still found the weather to be comfortable once you got used to it, you just had to be careful about your exposure times. You are very right in saying the statement isn't particularly useful due to the size of each country, so I'll retract that - in both places you can probably find the perfect climate.

But the flora and fauna - because Australia has not been connected to the mainland of Asia for such a long time (millons of years) the diversity of the animals is something you'll be impressed with. Parrots instead of Pigeons. Huuuge Spiders. Kangaroos, Wombats, Possums, Camels, Emu - a ton of things you'll not find anywhere else in the world.

It's a helluva place.

 

[Cdr]

New Zealand ain't a bad place to visit for a year or so.

Lots of things to do, lots of things to see - plus you don't have the added shityapants factor when venturing off the path - like you do in Aus (spiders, snakes, crocodiles), or Canada (wolves, bears, French Canadians).

Of course, I am slightly biased, as it was the place that I picked to emigrate to (over that of Canada and Aus).

I could post lots of pictures, but, you just have to ask anyone who's been how beautiful the place is.

And hell, if you do want to go to Aus, airfares to Brisbane / Melbourne are like $100. Or if you want to go a little further, for a little more - there's places like Rarotonga.

 

[DaGaffer]

Sure sounds like we disagree on most things here old chap. I'm interested to find what you felt was boring about Sydney and Brisbane? I thought the bars and nightlife were excellent and the people friendly. Both had great places to eat and things to do during the day - including plenty of places to lie out in the sun. And Sydney has both the Blue Mountains and Bondi within it's reach, Rugby, Cricket and AFL live and easy to get to (and relatively acceptable ticket prices) I've got to ask what actually entertains you?

I was really underwhelmed by Brisbane; its dull to look at and it just didn't click with me (I didn't really like Southern Queensland at all apart from Noosa). Sydney is much better and I could easily imagine living there, and I was lucky enough to be there for Australia Day on my first trip and NYE for my second, so I've seen Sydney when its really rocking, but on other days I thought it was really quiet for such a big city, everyone goes to bed early in the week. And I can't believe you rate Bondi; its a total toilet; the most overrated beach in the world imho (closely followed by the Copacabana). On the other hand, while Melbourne is dull to look at, there always seemed to be something going on, and I liked St.Kilda immediately.

But the flora and fauna - because Australia has not been connected to the mainland of Asia for such a long time (millons of years) the diversity of the animals is something you'll be impressed with. Parrots instead of Pigeons. Huuuge Spiders. Kangaroos, Wombats, Possums, Camels, Emu - a ton of things you'll not find anywhere else in the world.

It's a helluva place.

I don't dispute that Australia has lots of interesting (and often lethal) beasties, just pointing out that North America does as well. I'd be just as interested in seeing a Grizzly as a Koala.

 

[DaGaffer]

New Zealand ain't a bad place to visit for a year or so.

Lots of things to do, lots of things to see - plus you don't have the added shityapants factor when venturing off the path - like you do in Aus (spiders, snakes, crocodiles), or Canada (wolves, bears, French Canadians).

Of course, I am slightly biased, as it was the place that I picked to emigrate to (over that of Canada and Aus).

I could post lots of pictures, but, you just have to ask anyone who's been how beautiful the place is.

And hell, if you do want to go to Aus, airfares to Brisbane / Melbourne are like $100. Or if you want to go a little further, for a little more - there's places like Rarotonga.

Agreed. More stunning scenery per square foot than anywhere else in the world.

 

[StRaNgEdAyS]

Agreed, Un Zud has some of the most stunning scenery in the world.
Pity it's all in places that only a goat could live. Anywhere there is more than a few square metres of flat land that, it's full of sheep. If it's not it's packed with Kiwis, while they're not a bad bunch, they smell funny and can't play rugby.
Their women are pretty good roots too, they have to be. They have to compete with the sheep.

 

[TdC]

New Zealand ain't a bad place to visit for a year or so.

Lots of things to do, lots of things to see - plus you don't have the added shityapants factor when venturing off the path - like you do in Aus (spiders, snakes, crocodiles), or Canada (wolves, bears, French Canadians).

Of course, I am slightly biased, as it was the place that I picked to emigrate to (over that of Canada and Aus).

I could post lots of pictures, but, you just have to ask anyone who's been how beautiful the place is.

And hell, if you do want to go to Aus, airfares to Brisbane / Melbourne are like $100. Or if you want to go a little further, for a little more - there's places like Rarotonga.

been to both Oz and NZ, and I must say I agree. imo NZ is more awesome because it contains all the goods in a smaller package. I likes that.