Had lunch with my colleagues the other day. Don’t know how, but we started the topic of university life and remiscing how it was. Heh, everyone has the same love/hate relationship when it comes to studying in tertiary level. I don’t think very many of them minded the studying very much (my colleagues are all quite brilliant people on their own), but the lack of funds to pursue any extra-curricular activities during those times. Then when you start working, there’s the in flux of cash but not the time to spend it. Like the saying goes, you want your pie and be able to eat it too.

I’m not sure what the general culture is, but from what I’ve noticed, many Australians put themselves through university themselves. A lot of them leave highschool, get a study loan and work part time to get enough pocket money to do whatever they want. Aussie parents EXPECT their kids to move out when they turn 18 to make a living on their own. Even the Asian community here where children were born and raised here would be partially earning their pocket money, maybe if they don’t need to pay for university expenses.

This is all in contrast to some Asians from overseas who come here to study. A lot of them come with their parent’s money and pay the full fee for whatever course they are doing. They splurge on big cars and just purchase the city fringe apartments without second thought. I’ve heard of people who have been less responsible with their money and take up gambling. There is no budget or a need to control their spending. If there’s not enough, they just ask for more.

This is just a general view of things, and not everyone is like that. I know of scenarios where the roles are inverted and actually know of people who have worked their butts off just to get themselves through uni.