Oceania
There are few places in the world that conjure up quite the same images of exoticism and adventure as Oceania. Most Westerners, of course, know it more as "Australia, New Zealand, and that whole region on the other side of the world," but that’s neither here nor there. The fact remains that it is one of the most beautiful, exciting parts of the planet, and traveling there—and especially attending college there—is rewarding in ways that precious few other experiences can be.
The region itself encompasses a shockingly large number of lands, and though the exact ones that are included in Oceania differ based on who is doing the accounting, the following, in general, are the standards: "Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and various islands of the Malay Archipelago," which include, among many others, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines (www.en.wikipedia.org).
But no matter how Oceania is defined, and no matter what nations—or island-nations—are included in it, the fact remains that the wide variety of cultures, languages, religions, and peoples in this region are as wide-ranging and fascinating as anywhere in the world.
In general, most college students who attend school abroad find themselves either studying in Australia or New Zealand. This is the result of many factors, though certainly one of the main ones is the cultural familiarity of these two nations. Indeed, because they are both English-speaking, and because they both have a modern infrastructure and all the advantages and comforts that go along with it, they are particularly attractive to Western college students who yearn for adventure, but at the same time also want to know that they will be in a safe, at least somewhat familiar environment to help ease their transition.
There are, indeed, many advantages to attending college abroad in Oceania, not least of which is the fact that it is one of the most beautiful, utterly different natural environments in the entire world. From Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to its vast Outback, and from New Zealand’s breathtaking Walker Bay to the hustle and bustle of downtown Auckland, both of these nations appeal to both naturalists and city-lovers. They are, indeed, first-world countries on the other side of the planet, and their wonders are limitless.
They also are home to any number of top-notch universities, and the reputation of schools like the University of Auckland and the Australian National University mean that some of the finest professors from all over the world teach there.
But for those who want a different experience while attending college abroad, there are schools in places like Fiji (The University of the South Pacific), Guam (The University of Guam), and Samoa (National University of Samoa) to consider. And while these places certainly do not have the same infrastructure as Australia or New Zealand, they more than make up for it with their natural beauty, the hands-on study the environmental subjects, and the fact that attending college there will open your eyes in ways that going to school in a bigger country never could.
Really, there are infinite options for attending college in this beautiful part of the world. All you have to do is decide where to go, brush up on your language skills (if your school is in a non-English-speaking country), and head on over. The wonders of the world truly await you in Oceania. It’s simply up to you to discover them.
