2010 International Undergraduate Prospectus nts. u.au

108
Your Student Experience
Welcome to Melbourne
Studying abroad is an exciting and inspiring
experience. We understand that it can also
be a bit daunting. Naturally, you can expect
a period of adjustment as you settle into
your new course and lifestyle. Our students
come from a diverse range of social and
cultural backgrounds. All of them need to
anticipate changes as they commence
living and studying somewhere different,
even those students who are familiar with
Melbourne.
Arrival Services
We can arrange to collect you at Melbourne
Airport (Tullamarine) when you arrive
in Melbourne. This service is available
from the airport to the CBD, Parkville and
surrounding areas. You must apply at least
72 hours before you leave your country or
other Australian states and territories.
Temporary Accommodation
If needed, we can also book temporary
accommodation for you in a budget hotel
located near the Parkville campus. You are
responsible for all hotel costs and must
apply at least 72 hours before you leave
your country or other Australian states and
territories.
www.services.unimelb.edu.au/international/
planning/arrival.html
Transition to university
Academic and student culture
Studying abroad is an exciting and inspiring
experience. It can also be a bit daunting.
Naturally, you can expect a period of
adjustment as you settle into your new
course and lifestyle. Our students come
from a diverse range of social and cultural
backgrounds. All of them need to anticipate
changes as they commence living and
studying somewhere different, even those
students who are familiar with Melbourne.
At the University of Melbourne we have an
award-winning Transition and Orientation
Programs unit to welcome students and
provide support as they enter this new
environment.
The first event you are expected to attend
is Academic Advice Day (AAD), which
includes your international student briefing.
At AAD you will receive detailed course
and subject information, which will enable
you to finalise your enrolment early, so that
you can start getting ready for university.
Following AAD is Week O: Orientation
for all new students, which will give you
opportunities to prepare for your studies,
settle into your new lifestyle in Melbourne,
become acquainted with the campus,
services and facilities and meet other new
students. Orientation begins with the Host
Program in which you will be welcomed to
the University community by a later-year
student host who will introduce you and a
small group of other new students from your
course to the campus.
Throughout the week you will have the
opportunity to attend a series of transition
workshops on a variety of academic,
cultural and practical topics. We also
encourage you to visit the Welcome Centre
for assistance after you arrive.
Your transition support continues beyond
the important week of Orientation activities.
Each faculty has specific transition
strategies designed to meet the needs of
its students and its fields of study. Some of
this will be directly available to you in your
subjects. There may also be additional
resources to look out for such as first-year
learning centres, study groups and mentor
schemes. In addition, there are excellent
central services to access including
academic skills and developmental
sessions for students with English as a
second language.
Your Melbourne Experience is not limited to
academic pursuits. We encourage you to
become involved in the life of the University
community. You might start by joining one
or more of the 150 student-run clubs and
societies on campus.
There are plenty of opportunities to meet
people outside class, learn new skills,
explore new areas, maintain health and
fitness, develop your leadership and
communication skills or simply relax and
have some fun.
From school to university
Perhaps you don’t know many people
in Melbourne, you’re not sure how the
University works or you are wondering what
your average day will be like. You may be
used to a different teaching and learning
style. As an international student, you have
the added challenge of adapting to a new
country. All students starting university for
the first time need to make adjustments.
Sometimes simply expecting things to be
different can make it easier to deal with
change. Give yourself a chance to settle
in. Some things will be better than you
expected, and some might not be so easy.
There are sure to be challenges, laughs and
many enriching and rewarding experiences.
You can assist in your own transition by
finding out as much as you can before
arriving. The Transition and Orientation
website has great advice for you as you
embark on your university career.