When you are choosing a study destination, life-changing, career-shaping decisions must be made. It can be a scary idea for some, particularly those who have not studied abroad before, or haven't traveled on their own.

Will you make friends, will you be safe, will you have the experience that you hope to have? 

What comes to mind when you think of the perfect place to study? It would be just about any student's dream to study in a place that will offer a world-class education and a pathway to a successful career, an exceptional standard of living, a pollution free, safe and secure environment, an exciting lifestyle…. at an affordable price.

Enter Perth – the capital of Western Australia. A cosmopolitan city of 1.5 million people that has been home to international students for decades. Every year, more and more students are discovering why Perth is the ideal place to study.

The lifestyle

Famous for its friendly people and relaxed atmosphere, Perth embodies the true Australian lifestyle. There are not many

places left in the world where a passer-by will warmly greet you on the street or stop to have a chat. Australians love to interact with overseas visitors and embrace other cultures. Recently Lonely Planet voted it is as one of the world's "top 10 future cities" and the Economist has voted it as one of the world's top three "most livable" cities.

You'll be amazed at how much time West Australians spend outdoors, and it won't take you long to realise that this is one of the best ways to enjoy what Perth has to offer. Its natural environment and Mediterranean climate make Perth the ultimate lifestyle location.

WA is one of two states in Australia to offer international students a 40% discount on any type of public transport. When you do the math, it works out to be a saving of over $800 per year – any student could think of a million better ways to spend that money!

When you get here, you will probably hope to find a part-time job, be it for financial reasons, English practice, or just so you feel like you are a part of a community. Or, you may decide to get a job just because you can, simply because there are so many opportunities for students to do so. The booming WA economy has created strong demand for skilled staff, which means plenty of part-time work for students, and, looking beyond study, work experience or permanent employment opportunities.

The success

Perth has a tradition of punching above its weight. Who would expect a young city of this size to produce Nobel Prize winners in Medicine (2005), who would've guessed that the revolutionary tissue engineering technology, otherwise known as "spray-on skin" was developed right here in Perth, and that the southern hemisphere's largest eye research institute, the Lions Eye Institute, leading the world in its field, is also located here. WA universities are experts in oil and gas engineering, sports science and veterinary science just to name a few; its English language colleges teach modern English through an interactive approach; and its vocational education colleges give students the practical skills they need to succeed in today's ever changing world.

The diversity

During your first few months abroad, it is a great comfort to meet fellow students who speak your language or come from the same country. But the last thing you want to do is replace your English practice with your native tongue. Why would you bother leaving home then? Diversity is the key, that's why the following two facts are so important: over 140 different nationalities are represented at WA institutions and any one nationality makes up no more than 12% of the total student population. WA's 15 most common student nationalities are a vibrant mix of students from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. If you were asked to name some of them, you probably would have never guessed that Switzerland comes in at number 7!

Some Perth Facts & Figures:

Population: 1.5 million

Area: 1,075 sq km

Time zone: GMT +8

Currency:AUD

Climate: Mediterranean

To find out more about studying and living in Perth, visit www.pertheducationcity.com.au