emma.munro@elf.mcgill.ca (ekm) wrote in
news:81942d56.0409090629.5b1d643a@posting.google.com:
> Thanks everyone, your replies have been very helpful! I'm looking
> forward to my move to Perth...
> em
>
Hi Emma.
Congrats. on choosing Perth!
Just a few more points about Murdoch and Perth (from one who knows )
* Perth is one of the more conservative of Australia's cities. Very proud
of its "isolation". It sees itself as a nice place to bring up a family by
the beach. (until the boys become teenagers and spend all their time
drinking and hooning around in loud cars). As a result,it has rather less
nightlife than you would find in, say, Melbourne or Sydney. If you are used
to big city vibrancy you'll probably be bored very quickly (OTOH, it might
mean you get more relaxed and get more work done).
* Fremantle is one of the more lively parts of the Perth metropolitan area.
It has the (locally) famous 'cappucino strip' and a bit of shopping,
history etc. It is about 30 minutes from Perth CBD by train (every 15
minutes or so). It is also becoming an increasingly desirable (=expensive)
area.
* Perth's gay scene is very quiet. Most ppl entertain privately. There is
one gay pub ("The Court", in Northbridge), which is scheduled to be
demolished to make way for apartments. There is one gay nightclub
("Connections" also in Northbridge) which has recently announced it is
going to go 'mixed'. There is the usual round of social and support groups,
but that is about it really. (Oh, but I do recommend the Loton Park Tennis
Club if you like tennis!)
* Murdoch is what is known in Australia as a 'bush campus'. That is to say,
go to an outer suburban area, get a great big block of land and build
concrete buildings on it. Surround them with carparks, then native trees to
shield it from the locals. Call it a University. Rinse and repeat.I don't
know what you are used to, but you might be in for a culture shock. You'll
probably find people in your department keen and intelligent, but the rest
of the University rather depressing :(
* Murdoch is around 25 minutes from Fremantle by bus (every 15 minutes) or
30 minutes from Perth City, also by bus (every 30 minutes, not on
weekends). It is in the middle of not-very-interesting suburbia. You will
find yourself commuting a lot, I should imagine.
* Just a final point, we don't have 'grad students' in Australia. We call
them 'postgrads'. I don't think it's important. What will you be studying
at Murdoch?
Feel free to post here if you have any more questions. We aim to please :)
Les who studies @ Murdoch
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