Can't Go Home? 5 Things to Do During Summer/winter Break

If you are staying apart from your family, friends, or from relatives then the only time in the year to meet them is the summer/winter holidays. Both the breaks occur in different time zones and different weather conditions, while summer breaks fall between December and February, winter breaks begin in June and stay up till August. The breaks are just simply the synonyms of heading home for the reunion with the close ones. However, international students or individuals are living far from home, and due to any circumstances they not being able to return home during these breaks which is quite disheartening for them. But hold on, you still have nuance to a lot of activities that can help you be occupied during these breaks. Though we know that living costs in Australia are unmeasurable, giving yourself some instances of pleasure can make you feel better, while you stay alone in Australia. You can go on exploring the sun-kissed beaches of the Gold Coast, the snow-capped peaks of the Victorian Alps, or explore new academic pathways, Australia offers an array of exciting activities and destinations to explore.

So, let's delve into the myriad of opportunities awaiting those who find themselves far from home in this blog. Let's explore what you can do as an international student during your summer or winter break in Australia.
 

Top fun summer vacation ideas for international students

1. Hit the Beaches: You can experience and explore multiple coastline areas and beaches that are popular not just in Australia but in the world as well. Whether it's Bondi Beach in Sydney, Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, or Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, you should try to spend your days soaking up the sun, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and trying your hand at surfing.

2. Explore National Parks: Australia is home to numerous national parks offering hiking trails, wildlife encounters, and breathtaking scenery, as it has vast stretches of landscape. You can visit iconic parks like Kakadu in the Northern Territory, the Great Otway National Park in Victoria, or the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

3. Experience Outdoor Adventures: Why don’t you try kayaking, skydiving, hot air ballooning, or even camel riding for an adrenaline rush like no other in Australia? From snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef to diving with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef, Australia offers unparalleled outdoor adventures.

4. Attend Festivals and Events: Summer in Australia adds more fun when you get a chance to seek tickets to cultural festivals and events. You can celebrate these events by diving into music, food, culture, and more. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of events like the Sydney Festival, Tropfest in Sydney, or the Falls Festival in Lorne.

5. Discover City Life: If you are more like a city person and like to explore bustling cities, then you can roam in Australia to explore the cities, each possessing and pleasing you with their unique charm. Wander through Melbourne's laneways, indulge in gourmet delights in Adelaide's Central Market, or experience the vibrant nightlife of Brisbane.

6. Go Wildlife Spotting: Australia is renowned for its unique wildlife, and summer is the perfect time to spot some iconic species. Head to Kangaroo Island to see kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas in their natural habitat, or visit Tasmania to spot Tasmanian devils and wombats.

7. Enjoy Water Activities: Cool off from the summer heat with a range of water activities. Water activities are the best thing you can do during your summer breaks. Great places to go on holiday here are snorkelling or diving in the Great Barrier Reef, taking a scenic boat cruise along the Sydney Harbour, or going kayaking in Tasmania's pristine rivers.

8. Indulge in Culinary Delights: Australia's food scene is diverse and delicious, with culinary delights to suit every palate. Sample fresh seafood in Tasmania, indulge in gourmet cuisine in Melbourne or experience multicultural dining in Sydney's Chinatown.
 

Top fun things to do during your winter break in Australia:

1. Skiing and Snowboarding: If you are an adventurous person then what makes you wait? Head to the Australian Alps for some thrilling skiing and snowboarding adventures. The Popular ski resorts in the country are the Thredbo and Perisher in New South Wales and Mount Buller in Victoria offer excellent slopes for all skill levels.

2. Visit Winter Festivals: You can attend the Winter Festivals which are very popular across the continent such as in Sydney, where ice skating is featured, snow slides, and winter markets can be experienced during the season. Else you can join the Dark Mofo festival in Hobart, known for its unique blend of art, music, and food.

3. Whale Watching: Winter is the perfect time to witness the annual migration of humpback and southern right whales along Australia's coast. Head to coastal destinations like Hervey Bay in Queensland, Albany in Western Australia, or the Great Ocean Road in Victoria for unforgettable whale-watching experiences.

4. Explore Hot Springs: Relax and unwind in natural hot springs scattered across Australia. Visit the Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, the Blue Mountains Sparadise in New South Wales, or the Mataranka Thermal Pools in the Northern Territory for rejuvenating experiences amidst stunning scenery.

5. Winter Wildlife Encounters: Winter offers unique opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats. Take a guided tour to see penguins on Phillip Island in Victoria, witness the annual seal pupping season on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, or embark on a whale-watching cruise along the coast.

6. Stargazing and Astronomy Tours: If the night sky captures your attraction then you can take up the excellent opportunities for stargazing and astronomy experiences. It will require you to join guided tours in locations like the Australian Outback, the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, or the Northern Territory for unforgettable views of the southern night sky.

7. Explore Cultural Attractions: Immerse yourself in Australia's rich cultural heritage by visiting museums, galleries, and historic sites. Explore the Aboriginal cultural center in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, discover the ancient rock art of Kakadu in the Northern Territory, or visit the MONA museum in Hobart for contemporary art experiences.
 

Educational and personal development activities to do in summer/winter breaks in Australia

While the fun activities differ based on the seasons, educational and recreational activities remain the same throughout the year. Within the span of two to three months, an international student can broaden their horizons, acquire new skills, and enrich their overall learning experience beyond the classroom.

1. Learn a new skill: If you are not planning to step out of the country during the holidays then you can indulge yourself into acquiring skills that can turn out to be beneficial for your future aspirations. There are various short-term courses, virtual or physical, that are helpful for self-fulfillment. These can include acquiring skills relevant to the main course of study and others may include the ones that interest you a lot. 

2. Learn a new language: There are many individuals out there who find interest in learning a new language. The reason can be personal, as well as professional but it can surely help you delve into the cultural diversity of Australia. You can either get help from your friends or apply for courses offered by institutions and language schools, experts in teaching languages such as Mandarin, Japanese, or Spanish. It's a great way to boost your language skills and cultural understanding.

3. Volunteering: You can volunteer for activities that can eventually help you build connections, and consecutively the experience gained can be essential in highlighting your traits while applying for some job offer. Whether it's environmental conservation, community support, or animal welfare, volunteering in these activities while being a part of a community allows you to make a positive impact while gaining valuable experience and skills.

4. Start a business: If you have an interest and can cultivate creative ideas regarding a specific business field then why not give yourself a chance to work on this skill of yours during the breaks? Self-assess and analyse which business field interests you the most, for which you can initiate by building its online presence. Make sure that you possess knowledge in the field and then take on the challenge to build your business. 

5. Attend seminars: Move out of your place and fill out the forms that lead the way toward enhancing your skills and expertise in a particular field of study. Whether it's a leadership summit, industry conference, or skills development workshop. All this does is it will open gateways to build valuable networking opportunities and insights to enhance your professional skills and knowledge.

6. Personal Growth Retreats: Nowadays, students have been seen struggling to keep up with the expectations of academia and personal life, therefore if you invest in personal growth programs and well-being you will be more focused on mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or wellness. Retreats offer opportunities for self-reflection, relaxation, and self-discovery in tranquil settings such as coastal retreat centres, rainforest eco-lodges, or mountain retreats.

7. Internships and work experience: As an international student you must be aware that you are allowed to work for 40 hours per fortnight but has anyone told you that you can work for unlimited hours during your summer/winter breaks? Amidst the fact that the living cost in Australia is reaching heights, these activities can really support your stay. Thereby you can seek out internships for the short term in the field that interests you the most, eventually, it will sum up to create an attractive resume and highlight that you have gained some hands-on experience in a specific area. 
 

Conclusion

You can admit that Australia has a vibrant and flexible environment that offers an international student the opportunity to explore and self-assess themselves so that they can find activities that suit them the best during their summer/winter breaks in Australia. Since you are not leaving for your home this summer or winter, you can consider choosing amongst the activities that will keep you engaged throughout. These are not just confined to fun activities whereas we have tried to include activities that can help you strengthen your academic sphere. So, whether you choose to indulge in fun-filled escapades or embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, this is the time to seize the opportunity and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Well, here are the things that you can do to engage yourself during your breaks but if you want to seek assistance in any subject or mainstream then you can reach out to Oz Assignments. We assure personalised assistance with your coursework including tackling challenging topics such as living costs in Australia.

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