My Re-flectionz

Recently, I met a few postgrad students and doctors who had just came to Melbourne either for studies or specialist training and heard of the problem of getting the right information in Malaysia prior coming to Melbourne. It was a surprise because currently there are more that 30 postgrads, either with their families or not, presently studying in Melbourne.

Most of them are government sponsored students supervised by the Public Services Dept (JPA). As such, JPA should have at least some contact information to be given to the candidates coming to Melbourne so that they can get the right information from existing students in Melbourne. Through this networking, future students would be able to access latest information about living in Melbourne, how to rent a house, which school, child care services, how much is the school fees (for paying students' dependants) etc.

In view of this, here are some tips for those coming to Melbourne for the first time:

• Information sourcing.

1. Surf the Victoria Malaysian Postgraduate Group (VMPG) at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vmpg/
   
2. Email to vmpg-owner@yahoogroups.com, the group owner will do their best to provide the right information
3. Surf your uni website
4. Surf http://www.msdaustralia.org.au/ which is the Malaysian Students Department in Australia.
   
5. You can email me as well at ariefamron@gmail.com

• Accommodation - temporary and permanent

1. For temporary accomodation you can try the Malaysian Hall. Surf http://www.msdaustralia.org.au/ and search for the hall's link. Email the hall officer early to book a place. There are peak and non peak season so there's no guarantee that you'll get place.
2. If you fail to get a place at the hall, do email the VMPG owner for assistance.
3. The process to acquire an accomodation in Melbourne can be a nightmare but not hopeless totally. Lucky ones managed to get a place within just 3 days of arriving in Melbourne. But others, such as in my case took over 40 days to get a flat here.
4. Rates in the city is very expensive and may start as low as AUD 1000 per month. Students bringing their family and kids must understand that a 1 bedroom house/flat/unit is not suitable for you. So, a 2 bedroom accomodation is acceptable.
5. Do not rush in getting the accommodation.
6. To get a flavour of the real estate environment, please surf http://www.realestate.com.au/
7. Monthly rents is = [ Weekly rate x 52 weeks ] / 12
8. Virtual map of Melbourne here

• Driving and mobile phones

1. Malaysian students can drive in Victoria indefinitely as long as they are international student. Providing that they have the English translation of their licenses and their licenses are still valid. So, those coming for their Phd, it is recommended that you renew your licence to more than 3 years.

2. Mobile phones from Malaysia is compatible in Australia and there are many options to choose from. In Australia, there are benefits if you are using the same service provider with your friends such as free calls and sms. So, do not rush. You can email the VMPG owner or myself for further advice.

• Food

1. Halal food is abundance in various parts of Melbourne such as Coburg, Brunswick, Dandenong, Fawkner and Footscray.

• Schooling (will continue...if you want further information please email me at ariefamron@gmail.com)