7 of the best study experiences around the world
© geoftheref / Melbourne

All your bags are packed and you're ready to go – you're leaving on a jet plane, but have you decided what your destination's going to be? If you're a student looking for places to get the best out of your university degree, the world offers many different options and experiences. Even if you're doing a short course, where you study is as important as what you study. This is your opportunity to explore the four corners of the world and develop your interests and strengths before you decide what you want to do for the rest of your life. There's also the fact that you want to have fun now you've now finished school. Europe is one of the most popular destinations, but Australia and America are not far behind. Here's a short list of some of the most coveted destinations for academic pursuits…

1. Melbourne
It was ranked the world's 4th top university city in 2008. Some of Australia's oldest universities are to be found here as well as some of the world's top engineering colleges. It was also named a City of Literature in 2008 by UNESCO. The city also has a vibrant social scene, is the centre of a hundred sporting activities, and has some great clubs and amazing culture. It's a diverse and multicultural city that actively supports independent arts.

2. Paris
For some, there is nothing more romantic than to study French in France. A French course France offers will undoubtedly be a comprehensive way to learn more than just the language. Culture must be lived in order to be understood, and who could possibly complain about the French way of life? The beautiful city of Paris would of course be a great choice, but there are smaller towns and cities that will offer similar courses with lower costs.

3. London
The big bad city of London draws its fair share of students. London's cosmopolitan nature attracts people from all around the world, and the UK offers a world-class education. The experience of living in London is an added bonus. History, culture (alternative and mainstream), food and style are all in abundance here. You just need to absorb it all.

4. Boston
North America's original settlers made Boston their home, and today, it happens to be an elegant counterpoint to England's Oxford. Harvard, America's oldest and most prestigious institution of learning is a stone's throw away. The city itself is an idyllic throwback to American splendour, with its typical brownstones and broad tree-lined avenues.

5. New York
New York is certainly one of a kind. The world follows in its wake, doing today what NYC was doing two weeks ago. As one of the coolest cities in the world, the place itself is as much a learning ground as any university. It helps that some of the world's most prestigious universities are also located here. The New York Film School has in fact taught some of the greatest talent Hollywood has seen.

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© Stéfan / Tokyo harajuku

6. Barcelona
For a city whose cultural roots go back over 2,000 years, Barcelona becomes an easy bet for students interested in history and culture. Live music and theatre fill the streets and plazas, and the Gothic quarter has ancient buildings that still leave even the locals breathless. Architect Antoni Gaudí's surreal buildings are everywhere, and his unfinished Sagrada Familia is still an awe-inspiring sight. There are (man-made) beaches to be enjoyed and nightclubs where the dancing never stops – student life couldn't be more adventurous.

7. Tokyo
Not a destination for the faint-hearted, but if you're up for something really different, look no further than Tokyo. Japan's proud adherence to tradition along with its wide acceptance of the foreign has created an interesting city that students will be fascinated by. Whether it's the computer game capital of Akihabara or the shopping at Shibuya, Tokyo has something for everyone.