The Sunshine Coast - An Ideal Learning Environment
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But just as important, is where you’ll be living whilst studying at Queensland Institute for Aviation Engineering (QIAE). And that’s where we really have the edge...
QIAE is located right in the middle of a playground. Yes, the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland is renowned as a tourist destination. And it has so much to offer that plenty of people who come for a holiday love it so much they stay.
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Spectacular location, friendly community, great climate
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Australia in general and the Sunshine Coast in particular have so many wonderful features it’s no wonder people want to come to Queensland Institute for Aviation Engineering (QIAE) to study! It’s safe and clean and the people are welcoming. The climate is great – warm and sunny. And Aussies are renowned for their good humour and friendliness. We’re sure you’ll fit in and like it here.
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The Sunshine Coast
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We live in a comfortable and safe environment. The Sunshine Coast stretches for about 100 kilometres alongside the Coral Sea. Caloundra where QIAE is located is on the southern end of this strip. The population numbers 325,000 spread over 312,000 hectares.
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Because we’re next to the ocean, there’s plenty of surfing, swimming and diving to do. The air is clean, the traffic isn’t hectic and the people are friendly. There are good shops, clubs and places to meet. And the Sunshine Coast has a young population with many opportunities to be social and make friends.
There’ll be plenty of chances to take a break from study and enjoy the relaxed and easy lifestyle – just like the locals. Choose from adventure activities like bushwalking, diving, rock climbing and canoeing, or take it easy and go to the movies or listen to bands.
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Close to the big city;but far from its stress
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Brisbane is only 100 km to the south via a major highway, with easy access to an international airport, and all the facilities a big city has to offer. But being located here in Caloundra is perfect – we’ve easy access to those city facilities, but not the drawbacks of living in a large, busy, impersonal and expensive city.
But we’re no country town. We have a major regional hospital, rail transport links, a university, and the Sunshine Coast Airport offering several daily jet flights to Melbourne and Sydney.
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The food is plentiful and healthy too The Sunshine Coast has a fantastic variety of food. Our top quality meat, fish, fruits and vegetables are exported to markets all around the globe. There is a large range of fruit and vegetables available at Australian produce markets. Due to the large multicultural population, you should have little difficulty in finding most of the foods that you have been accustomed to at home.
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You can shop for fresh fruit and vegetables at market stalls (often buying direct from the grower), or at supermarkets (most are open every day of the week). We have a thriving fishing industry, so fresh local fish and seafood is available directly at the bigger wharves. Or you could catch your own!
There are elegant restaurants or typical Aussie restaurants. Good food at reasonable prices can be found at bistros or cafes. For those who like takeaway, most of the major global fast food chains are well represented! The adventurous can try some Australian ‘bush tucker’.
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We love our leisure and sport
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We’re right beside a big beautiful clean ocean so naturally; swimming, surfing and fishing are major pastimes for the people of the Sunshine Coast.
Want to see crocodiles, kangaroos and koalas? The famous Australia Zoo is on our doorstep;a short 20 minutes drive from Caloundra. You can get up close with some of these Australian natives.
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Not much further away, there are well-conserved bushland parks for those interested in hiking, rock-climbing, caving, canoeing and other outdoor pursuits. Want to play with a team? The Sunshine Coast has many commercial and suburban sports clubs for all tastes. Golf, tennis, cricket, rugby, soccer, touch football, bowling and boating, are just a few. Or in winter, you could try your hand at ‘Aussie Rules’ football. There are even lots of mountain bike clubs that go touring on weekends.
And we play host to a variety of international events, like triathlons and road cycling, not to mention golf tournaments like the PGA right here on the Sunshine Coast.
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The climate is kind –with lots of outdoor living
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The Sunshine Coast has a temperate/sub-tropical climate ideal for outdoor living. Winters are mild, and though it can get humid in summer, it’s tempered near the coast by sea breezes. Rainfall can be heavy - particularly so in February and November - but can occur throughout the year. Our winter months of June to August are normally fairly dry.
The Sunshine Coast averages 300 days of sunshine a year and enjoys a pleasant climate between the winter months of June –September of 11 –21 °C.
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Shops are plentiful and have everything you need
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We have many sophisticated shops selling just about anything and everything you might need. The Sunshine Coast boasts several major regional air-conditioned shopping centres, which house department and chain stores as well as specialty shops. The largest of these includes a multiplex cinema showing the latest movies and all have places to eat while you shop.
There are also many smaller under cover and air-conditioned shopping centres throughout the Coast, together with many main street shops. The most spectacular of these are on the esplanades of Mooloolaba, Caloundra and Noosa with the ocean beaches on one side of the street and the shops on the other.
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Parks and gardens are green and abundant
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The Sunshine Coast is full of green spaces. All along the foreshore, there are picnic tables and places to sit and watch the waves and the surfers. There are large public parks with lots of trees and shelters, and small suburban ones too. Some of our parks even have kangaroos hopping about in them – but don’t worry, they’re shy and will probably stay away from you.
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Health services are first rate
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There are many medical centres to choose from scattered throughout the Sunshine Coast. You may be required to pay for some of this treatment, but much will be covered by the compulsory medical insurance (for our International Students) we arrange for you. There’s a first class hospital, which has accident and emergency facilities, located close by at the inland town of Nambour. There is ambulance service coverage throughout the region.
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But you’ll need to watch out for the sun. The Sunshine Coast enjoys a sunny climate for much of the year. It’s important to pack a hat and use 30+ sun screen (available widely) to protect your skin. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water. It‘s surprising how much you can lose during the day.
And by the way, when you’re in the water make sure you swim at beaches patrolled by Queensland surf lifesavers and then only between the red and yellow flags. The surf can be dangerous, even for experienced swimmers, and can lead to drowning. The patrolled beaches are there for your protection.
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