There are some places in the world that capture the imagination and the heart in equal measure. Paris does this because of its history, architectural splendor, and cultural richness. Vienna has a similar effect on devotees of classical music. And St. Petersburg makes the minds of literature lovers spin with delight at the thought of walking along the same streets and through the same neighborhoods as the characters in the works of Pushkin, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Gogol, and the rest of the masters.
To this list should be added The Gold Coast of Australia, which holds a place similar to those other spots in the hearts of lovers of the outdoors.
Academic Study Abroad Programs in The Gold Coast
It is located on the East coast of Australia and "[stretches] from the twin towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta through Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, and Surfers Paradise to Brisbane. The region is virtually one continuous development of high rise hotels. The backdrop to the Gold Coast's coastline is the Hinterland area with rainforests and bushlands. The Gold Coast is a superb combination of spectacular beaches, national parks, wilderness, extensive waterways, valleys, and wide open spaces" (www.oztravel.com.au). And while it may not have the same international caché yet of those other places, it certainly will in coming years as more and more people discover the unique beauty of Australia's natural environment and culture.
As might be expected of a region whose weather is as famously wonderful as the Gold Coast's (it "has a subtropical climate with warm, mild winters and hot, bright summers"), sports and other outdoor activites play major roles in the lives of locals and visitors (www.en.wikipedia.org). Rugby is huge here, especially since the region recently gained a team, the Gold Coast Titans, in the National Rugby Leage. And golf is as popular here as it is anywhere in the world. Indeed, there are 50+ golf courses and clubs in the Gold Coast, which means that there is a course that will fit the needs of most anyone, from professionals to weekend duffers. Cycling, horse racing, and car racing are big here, too.
But it is for the surfing that the Gold Coast is most famous. Indeed, there is even a part of the Gold Coast that's called Surfer's Paradise, which, in fact, offers a great deal more than just surfing (though with the quality of the waves there, that would certainly be quite enough!). From the world-class shopping off the beach in Surfer's Paradise to the famously high quality of volleyball played on the sand to the bungee jumping and water sports that both locals and visitors get to enjoy, there is truly something for everyone there.
But the Gold Coast is about much more than sports and shopping. Its cultural life extends to movies (Warner Roadshow Studios, and a related theme park, are located in the Gold Coast), and a good restaurant scene and beyond. There's the rainforest of the Currumbin Valley to explore, the evening-time allure of Jupiters Casino, and the Dreamworld theme park. And because tourism is the Gold Coast's main source of revenue, you can be sure that both students and visitors alike will enjoy all the amenities of home, even if they are visiting a place halfway around the world.
As for students, there are several options for studying in the Gold Coast. There are "two major university campuses (Bond University at Robina and Griffith University, incorporating the Griffith Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and Oral Health at the Gold Coast Hospital and the main campus at Southport) and the smaller campus of Central Queensland University at Southport" (www.en.wikipedia.org). There is also the TAFE system, which is the Technical and Further Education system for adults or older students
Places as beautiful as the Gold Coast always seem to be fairly troublesome to get to. But traveling here is not that difficult at all. In fact, it's "only an hour's drive south of Brisbane, although it does have its own airport at Coolangatta" (www.oztravel.com.au). So for all that the Gold Coast has to offer, it is almost astoundingly easy to travel there. And as a student, it will seem like the perfect destination, as the combination of activities, culture, and university life make it one of the best places in the world to spend time during your college years.
