Study in South Australia

South Australian government high schools are well-equipped with creative learning spaces that include technology labs, performance centres and hospitality, vocational learning and specialist sporting facilities.

You can choose a school that is near the beach, close to the city centre or in the country.

As part of your high school program you will live with a supportive homestay family or you can nominate to live with a relative or family friend.

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Why South Australia

South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide, is a friendly welcoming and vibrant city and repeatedly ranks among...

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Why South Australia

south australia, South Australia Government Schools

South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide, is a friendly welcoming and vibrant city and repeatedly ranks among the world’s top 10. South Australian Government Schools has been providing study abroad experiences for international students since 1989 and have over 100 primary and high schools offering unique study and sporting programs. Choose South Australian Government Schools for:

Affordable tuition and homestay fees
Centrally managed study program and accommodation
Personal approach to student safety and wellbeing
Dedicated support for students to achieve success
Top 10 reasons to study with South Australian Government Schools

Adelaide is a well planned city and easy to get around.

Adelaide beaches are close to the city centre.

WATCH VIDEO Top 10 reasons to study in South Australia!

Adelaide universities and museums are located in the education and cultural precinct.

The River Torrens flows from the Adelaide hills to the sea.

View Swiss students talk about their study abroad experience in South Australia.

South Australians enjoy an active and relaxed lifestyle with friends and family.

The Adelaide Riverbank is the recreational, cultural and sports hub of the city.

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Secondary student stories

Hi guys, Chris here. Currently, I am a year 11 international student at Unley High School....

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Chris, Vietnam

Hi guys, Chris here. Currently, I am a year 11 international student at Unley High School. Vietnam is my home country and Da Nang (for those who haven’t known; it is located in the middle of Vietnam, famous for magnificent beaches and breathtaking eco-tourists spots) is where I come from. Back to the time of last September, I just finished my first IELTS exam and received a favorable result. It was such a surprise for me since I didn’t expect that much. Nevertheless, the result had somehow impressed my mom so she finally ended up asking me how I think about a chance of studying abroad. Since I was in secondary school, I have possessed a particular interest in going out of my country and to me at that time, my mom’s proposal was such a fortunate for myself. The answer “Yes” just took a heartbeat to come out of my mouth. But then, there was a question need to be solved: "Where shall I go?” It seemed like a multiple choice question that every answer turned out to be perfectly suitable. I was so confused, I had no clue what should I do next. Fortunately, my superficial Geographic understanding had got my back this time. Australia was the most suitable choice for me since it it the only one located In the south hemisphere (also near the equator, too). Which means that it is mostly covered with Sunlight and beautiful days! Among those big cities in Australia, Adelaide had caught my attention from the first glance since with its peace and cultural richness. It also comprises a numbers of natural parks and reserves, which sounds great for me as an explorer! So here I am, in Adelaide, enjoying the wonderful life with lots of interesting, friendly people. If you are a sun-lover, you will love Adelaide. If you are a sea-lover, you will love Adelaide. If you are a mountain-lover, you will love Adelaide. Trust me, it isn’t biased or exaggerated, Adelaide is there to be loved! I feel fresh and free everyday just breathing the air and saying hi with a big smile to strangers on the streets. Although it’s not as bustling and hustling like big cities, It still possesses the common traits for a modern lifestyle and be perfectly set-up for your future career. Adelaide is a melting-pot, you can easily come across Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Indian, Malaysian and SO MANY ethnics! You would have a big chance to develop a deep multicultural understanding, as well as a complete set of communication skills. You would feel free to talk and laugh and enjoy your new life here and ready for a new chapter of your wonderful life! Just a small notice, the winter is a bit severe (but trust me, it’s gonna be alright). Coldness and dryness could be a little bit irritating for your winter here, gloves and scarves are recommended, especially if you come from a tropical climate. Learning some greetings in other language (Japanese is what I’m currently learning now) could be another good idea, since people would feel more comfort by talking in their own language! Personally, I believe you just need to keep your eyes open and enjoy how fascinating the new life at Adelaide is!

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Secondary student stories

Shoma came to Adelaide in April 2019 to study here and complete his high school education....

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Shoma, Japan

Shoma came to Adelaide in April 2019 to study here and complete his high school education. He enrolled in the Specialist Soccer Program at Hallett Cove School when he first started studying here and even now, in Year 11, he is successfully balancing his studies and soccer, making the most of his life here. School Soccer Program Having really focused on playing soccer since his fourth grade of elementary school, Shoma chose a junior high school that has a strong soccer team and really applied himself to the sport every day. During that time, he was fortunate to get the opportunity to play in France and he says it was while he was there that he became conscious of his desire to play soccer overseas. “I wasn’t really good at studying so I thought that I want to do something which would give me the skills to help me in the future. For me, that was to learn English while playing soccer overseas.” While deciding on which high school to go to, the idea of studying at an overseas high school became a clearer goal, so much so that he began talking to his parents about it to get their advice. They really understood their son and were fully supportive of his decision. There were several countries that were good candidates for him to study in, but while sifting through English speaking countries he looked at factors including safely and high level of soccer and Australia became the natural choice. Then, when choosing which city in Australia would be best, Shoma was able to narrow it down to three cities, and he and his mother actually flew to Australia and travelled around to inspect various schools in each of the cities, each of which offered a soccer program. The pair visited two schools in Adelaide with soccer programs but when he went to Hallett Cove School it was the ‘at home’ atmosphere that made him feel comfortable and he says he instinctively thought to himself, “I want to come to this school!”. “I’m really glad I came to this school. I have no regrets.” And that feeling still hasn’t changed.

Challenging but not Hard Shoma started his study here with the ISEC (Intensive Secondary English Course), an intensive English language course for international students, but he says at first he had absolutely no idea what the teachers were talking about or what his homework was. He says, “That first year, study was a constant challenge.” This was really highlighted when he decided to extend his time in ISEC, which normally has students enter main stream class after six months, to really get a strong grasp on the language from the very basics. Shoma says that staying in ISEC longer was not a bad thing, nor did it make him feel down. He joined the soccer program from when he first enrolled in ISEC so he had already started making friends with local students there. And in order to improve his English, he pushed himself to speak English with local students outside of the ISEC class. By proactively making the effort to spend time with his local friends and through trying his hardest with soccer, Shoma has been able to make a place for himself. “Going into my second year of study here I became able to speak English and I no longer had problems with everyday conversation. I really think that making local friends through soccer was a big factor in making this happen.” The Challenges of Soccer The Specialist Soccer Program is set up so that soccer is a subject that counts towards the student’s grades. Each week there are practical and theoretical classes and they even have matches with other soccer program schools from across the country. As part of his international study application, Shoma presented a video of himself playing soccer which helped him to successfully pass the screening process and earn a place in Hallett Cove School’s Soccer program; his journey had begun. In addition to his school’s soccer program, Shoma joined a team at the local soccer club when he first started studying here. As it is a local club, it is close to his homestay family’s home and he made friends with others from his high school and age group. It also really helped him to get used to the English language. Shoma quickly settled into the team and became a key player before being scouted by the high-ranking Cumberland United FC, and playing in their U18 reserves team while studying at high school. Realising his improvements as a soccer player along with all his other growth, Shoma really is making the most of his life here in Australia. “With grassed ovals, Adelaide’s standard of soccer is very high and it really provides the best environment for playing!” Starting Year 11 Starting Year 11 from 2021, Shoma’s school assignments are increasing and becoming more difficult, but he says that he is somehow managing to keep up. Until the end of Year 10 he says there was flexibility that allowed him to continue even if he didn’t quite get it 100%, but he is becoming more and more aware that Year 11 will need him to really focus. The tutor he has had since he first began studying here continues to play a significant role supporting Shoma. He has so much appreciation not only for his tutor but also for the two home stay families, his school teachers, friends, and his parents who support his study here. He really wants to be able to repay everyone but especially his parents one day in the future.

While he hasn’t decided on his career and what he plans to do after graduating from high school, his dream of becoming a professional soccer player hasn’t changed. “There are people who belonged to my club that are now professional players so I think I have a chance,” says Shoma who at the same time says he is working hard to set goals to go to university either in Australia or Japan. Finally, Shoma has a message for anyone who is going to study abroad. “I think you definitely need friends. For me, it isn’t fun without friends and having friends is the most important thing. While I think it is obviously important to have Japanese friends, I really think it is very important for your life as an international student to become friends with local people and students from other countries and spend time together. Please make sure you make friends and enjoy your time as an international student!” Balancing soccer and studies, and enjoying the connection with friends, Shoma’s life here as an international student is running forward into the second half of the match!

To read this article in Japanese, click here.

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Jenny, Vietnam

Why did you choose Adelaide as a place to study? After an exchange student programme to...

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Jenny, Vietnam

Why did you choose Adelaide as a place to study? After an exchange student programme to Australia, I decided to choose Adelaide as my destination. I was impressed by its enthusiastic and unique instructive method. I love how my teachers respect and inspire me to show my creativity, my thoughts upon every topic. Thus, boosting my confidence and developing my critical thinking. Besides being committed to study, extracurricular activities are highly encouraged. As an adventurous girl, Adelaide's spectacular scenery not only attracted me but also made me wonder how much care conscientious people dedicate to preserve their environment. My favourite thing about Adelaide is the warm-hearted people, from my homestay family to my teachers and friends. They’re loving, caring, devoted and have a great sense of humour. Once you step in this city, the cosiness will wash away your homesickness. I adore my homestay Mum who wasn't my biological Mum but fate brought us to be family by heart. Every moment with her seems endless. I also valued my friends. They are the charming gardeners who always make my soul blossom.

After I finish high school my plan is to attend university as a medical student. I desire to follow in my parent’s footsteps, to devote my life to medicine and science. With an ardent passion, I believe I could get over all the obstacles and accomplish my ambition-becoming an anaesthesiologist. Moreover, after graduating, settling down my life as an Australian citizen would be my next lifelong goal.

Advice to international students considering Adelaide as a study destination: One of my biggest concerns when considering my studying abroad destination was school including high school and university. But I’m sure you would be amazed by Adelaide’s distinctive education system. We also have a wide variety of choices in universities. Quantity and quality are high with 3 universities (University of Adelaide, Flinders University and University of South Australia). Like a fish out of the water, it was challenging for me to integrate myself into the society. I defined my 14-year-old self as an introverted and timid girl. Thanks to my Aussie friends, they came and turned my life into a new and bright chapter. However, nothing is achievable if you don’t put effort into it. I understand that international students usually struggle with making new friends. My advice is to be as dynamic as you could in extracurricular activities and seize any opportunity to be close to them. Eventually you will find your soulmates like the way me and my bestie, Leila did!