TRAVEL TIPS

AIR TRAVEL: The program schedules and pays for round-trip air transportation from the West Coast of the United States to Perth.  The students are met there by Notre Dame Australia representatives and travel by bus to their Fremantle residence hall. Students will need spending money and will have to get yourself to the west coast.

JET LAG:  From getting on the plane in South Bend to arriving in Perth, approximately 34 hours have elapsed!  "Jet lag" could be a problem!  Here are some useful tips to minimize the effects of this potentially debilitating affliction:

  1. As soon as you take your seat on a plane, set your watch for the time zone at which you will arrive
  2. Do not drink alcohol
  3. When it is dark outside the plane, try and sleep
  4. Drink plenty of water
  5. When you arrive at your destination, DO NOT go to sleep until your normal time (i.e., NO CAT-NAPPING WHILE IT IS DAYLIGHT!)
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Two pieces of checked baggage per person is allowed, with the weight of each not to exceed 70 pounds. In addition, only one piece of carry-on luggage is allowed, and it must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK? The seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere - Christmas time is summer. However, winters are mild by South Bend standards (there is no snow), so a heavy coat is not required.  Summers are hot (in the 100's), so dress accordingly.  The power supply is different from the U.S. - running at 220-240 volts (NOT 110).  Therefore, DO NOT take lots of appliances (i.e., hair dryers, radio alarms, etc.) and expect them to work - they will burn out!  You will need a power transformer, but remember that the amount of luggage you can take is limited.

PASSPORT:  You will need a passport!  If you do not have one, apply for it immediately.

PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS: Each student will need a total of twelve (12) passport photographs.

MONEY:  Your ATM (if MAC &/or Cirrus) will work in Australia, drawing money from your U.S. account.  You get a much better rate of exchange this way than if you tried to convert cash/travellers checks.  Take approximately AUD$200 with you for incidental expenses while you get organized.  All major credit cards can be used, but you will have to make arrangements with your card company about paying the bill while you are away.

COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone calls back to the United States are very expensive.  E-mail is the cheapest and quickest way to communicate with friends and family and the University Western Australia, has excellent computer facilities to achieve this.  However, if e-mail is not possible, the lost art of letter writing can be ressurected.
 

VISA INFORMATION:  Follow this link to obtain information on the visa application.
 

Below are some links to travel sites and locations within Australia.  Happy surfing!

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