Life in Melbourne
Australia is progressive, thriving and beautiful. Our cities are urbane and cosmopolitan, and our landscapes range from pristine sandy beaches to perfect snowy mountains.
We're also one of the world's most culturally diverse nations. In the Australian state of Victoria, 45 per cent of people were either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas. In Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, you will hear people speak more than 150 different languages.
Why Melbourne?
Our Australian base is a vibrant, multicultural city that offers an abundance of cultural festivities, international sporting events, cafés and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, beautiful parks and beaches, and an eclectic mix of music and arts. You couldn’t pick a better place to live.
Melburnians are friendly, smart and outgoing. We value equality, tolerance, respect, and freedom of speech and religion.
Melbourne student life
Monash University has multiple locations in the greater Melbourne area. Each has its own style and environment, and offers different academic and social opportunities. You can learn more about a specific campus by following the links below:
Hear what Monash international students have to say about living and studying in one of the best cities in the world – Melbourne, Australia.
Attractions
Melbourne is safe, well-designed and easy to get around. The city boasts:
Arts and culture
Melbourne hosts a number of international cultural events and festivals each year. The Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival are favourites. Federation Square, in the heart of Melbourne, often holds free special events that celebrate the multicultural nature of the city.
Sport
Melbourne is home to major sporting events, including the Australian Open (tennis), the Boxing Day Test (cricket) and the Spring Racing Carnival (horse racing). In winter, Melburnians flock to the Australian Football League (the AFL, or just 'the footy') – pick a team and join in. More recently, international football has become very popular, and in 2015 the city will co-host the AFC Asian Cup.
Cafes and restaurants
Melbourne is famous for its coffee, thanks in large part to the influx of southern European migrants that came here in the 1950s. We also love food, enjoy a variety of ethnic cuisines, and celebrate a food and wine festival each March. The city has a lively and unique laneway culture with many restaurants tucked away.
Shopping
As a bustling capital Melbourne features large department stores, international designer shops and fashion outlets. Our thriving laneway culture has helped foster a unique community of boutique designers and local artists. Surrounded on all sides by farmland and the coast, Melbourne also hosts a large number of outdoor markets, offering fresh food to shoppers daily. The Queen Victoria market, a local landmark, is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.
Entertainment
Melbourne is home to amusement parks, recreation precincts, zoos, parks and gardens. Venture out of Melbourne to visit wineries, go bushwalking, or go on a balloon flight.
Night-life
At night, the streets and laneways light up with a variety of theatres, bars, nightclubs, night markets, restaurants and concerts.
Find out more about Melbourne:
International students
Monash University is committed to fostering a welcoming environment that provides all students the opportunity to participate fully in campus life. We understand that visitors from other countries often have specific social, religious and cultural needs. Monash offers resources and programs to help international students settle into campus, make friends and adjust to life in Australia.
Our handbook for new Muslim students Salaam Monash (pdf, 2.60mb), also offers advice for settling in and adjusting to life in Australia, together with information about religious facilities and where to find Halal food.