Same here, but the problem is that on some schools teachers are really bad. And other the students fail/drop out only because of them

The visa doesn't cost THAT much, and it's basically a one-time expense anyway (but a total, total bitch to obtain). What tests do you need to take? Maybe the Australian way of doing things is different than ours, but I didn't have to take any sorts of tests, nor have I heard of anyone that has had to.

 

I'll be at UEA in Norwich starting in September :wink:. However, I'll be in London as of Monday! :freak:

 

Ahh I was going to have to do an English language test because I don't have any certificates to say I can speak English haha. I've heard how hard it is to get a visa, did it take you a long time?

Ooo how exciting! that means you'll be there almost (according to my time), hehe yay! Did you say how long you're there for/did I already ask that?

I'm there for at least a year, hopefully more, assuming I like it :D.

 

I'm actually leaving for the airport in like two hours :freak:.

 

You have to take an English language test? But you're from Australia, yes? Ususally they don't make you do it if you are a citizen of a primarily English-speaking country.

 

Getting the visa was a total pain organizationally, especially because the UK just revamped the visa system and no one knows what they're talking about. I can answer specific questions if you have them (at least from my American experience), but my advice is APPLY FOR THE VISA AT LEAST 2.5 MONTHS IN ADVANCE, just in case. And START the application like a month before you submit it, because it can get confusing.

Question for myself...

 

What is the very first thing I need to do to be ready for this, and when should I start preparing? I'm going into my Junior year in high school, and I feel like Senior year is going to roll along and I'm just gonna be like "shit, I forgot about that".

Anyone coming to Lisbon?

Ooo okay now I can say you're on a plane or there or something! :D

Yeah on the application form it had a section asking for a certificate in English language qualifications, and I was thinking "Uh... aren't I from an English-speaking country?!"

Well now I've decided to go to university in Australia for about a year and then do an exchange to London for a year and move back up there later if I like it heaps :) cheaper for me and gives me more time to save up and plan everything properly :)

Ooo okay now I can say you're on a plane or there or something! :D

Yeah on the application form it had a section asking for a certificate in English language qualifications, and I was thinking "Uh... aren't I from an English-speaking country?!"

Well now I've decided to go to university in Australia for about a year and then do an exchange to London for a year and move back up there later if I like it heaps :) cheaper for me and gives me more time to save up and plan everything properly :)

 

Whoops, edited.

Ooo okay now I can say you're on a plane or there or something! :D

Yeah on the application form it had a section asking for a certificate in English language qualifications, and I was thinking "Uh... aren't I from an English-speaking country?!"

Well now I've decided to go to university in Australia for about a year and then do an exchange to London for a year and move back up there later if I like it heaps :) cheaper for me and gives me more time to save up and plan everything properly :)

a bit late joining in on this conversation, but i'm curious as to why you need to take an English language test considering you're from Australia (presumably) & already studying there?

 

i'm from Malaysia which isn't considered an English-speaking country. anyway, i didn't have to sit for any English language test to get my student visa from the British High Comm...& that was just this July, after the new visa system was put into effect.

 

from what i know, any English language certification required will be from the respective unis' admissions ppl & not the British High Comm. & generally all the unis i applied to told me i didn't need to provide any English language certification since i graduated from an Aussie uni for my undergrad degree when i was discussing my application with them.

Question for myself...

 

What is the very first thing I need to do to be ready for this, and when should I start preparing? I'm going into my Junior year in high school, and I feel like Senior year is going to roll along and I'm just gonna be like "shit, I forgot about that".

 

Are you talking about college/uni in general, or overseas specifically?

 

The first thing you need to do for American schools is get out and look at schools to decide what you do and don't like. Junior year is a good time to do it, you're the same age as my brother and he's just starting as well. Visit a state school, a private school in a city, a private school in a small town, etc, all of which have things you like about them after internet research.

 

Also, those Priceton Review type books, like 361 Best Colleges & Universities or whatever, are very helpful in deciding which schools are worth a visit.

 

But basically, the entire process is a total bitch. Keep that in mind.

a bit late joining in on this conversation, but i'm curious as to why you need to take an English language test considering you're from Australia (presumably) & already studying there?

 

i'm from Malaysia which isn't considered an English-speaking country. anyway, i didn't have to sit for any English language test to get my student visa from the British High Comm...& that was just this July, after the new visa system was put into effect.

 

from what i know, any English language certification required will be from the respective unis' admissions ppl & not the British High Comm. & generally all the unis i applied to told me i didn't need to provide any English language certification since i graduated from an Aussie uni for my undergrad degree when i was discussing my application with them.

 

yeah i am quite delayed, i'vebeen busy with studying atm because i'm only aout a month from finishing my final year of high school :shocked2:

nah the english language thing was a requirement from the uni not for applying for a student visa, but i still needed something to certify it which i found strange seeing as (as you said) i am clearly from an english speak country...

a bit late joining in on this conversation, but i'm curious as to why you need to take an English language test considering you're from Australia (presumably) & already studying there?

 

i'm from Malaysia which isn't considered an English-speaking country. anyway, i didn't have to sit for any English language test

I have to take TOEFL :shifty:

yeah i am quite delayed, i'vebeen busy with studying atm because i'm only aout a month from finishing my final year of high school :shocked2:

nah the english language thing was a requirement from the uni not for applying for a student visa, but i still needed something to certify it which i found strange seeing as (as you said) i am clearly from an english speak country...

ok, that's really weird then. :thinking:

I got conditional offers for unis in UK & Aussie back then w/o needing to take TOEFL/IELTS on account of me already taking the A-Levels + my grades from the Malaysian equivalent to the O-Levels.

 

I did have 1 UK uni during my recent applications who initially wanted me to take the IELTS, then they changed their minds to ask for me to just get written certification that my course was fully conducted in English, then changed again later to just needing to see my academic transcripts only after a couple of email exchanges where I emphasised that they're the only uni who've asked me for the English certification. :shifty:

 

I have to take TOEFL :shifty:

well, that's expected from us as overseas applicants from a non-English speaking country. + I think TOEFL is a standard requirement from US unis for us.

 

but coldplay <3's case is odd since she's from a recognised English speaking country but still needs to produce English certification for an offer.