ISS Newsletter

September 2007

Dear Students,

We wish you well as you continue on with your studies for Semester 2, 2007.  Please do not hesitate to visit the international Student Support offices for any concerns you may have.

Please take some time to read the following important information:

1. Early Warning Letters

Some students may have received an "Early Warning Letter" from their Faculty recently.  As the name suggests, and early warning letter is sent to those students who are potentially at risk of not mainitaing satisfactory academic progress for the 2007 academic year.  The main purpose of an early warning letter is to encourage you to seek help and support so that you can improve your academic performance this semester and avoid the possibility of being called to appear before an Academic Progress Committee (APC)  in December-January.

International Students must meet course requirements in order to hold a student visa.  Appearing before an APC hearing may jeopardise your visa.

Staff from ISS can explain the whole APC hearing process to you and go through the potential impacts on your student visa.   We can connect you to the various support services, in your Faculty and on campus, that are availiable to help you right now.  We strongly  recommend that you make an appointment to see an International Student Adviser (ISA) in September.

Don't leave things until it's too late - if you have received an early warning letter make an appointment to see an ISA today.
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2. DIAC Presentation on Permanent Residency Options for International Students

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be at the Clayton and Caulfield campus to give a presentation on:

*    Skilled migration options for international students
*    Employer sponsored options
*    General skilled migration

They will also present an overview of:

*    Skilled occupation list
*    Requirements of the visas in the Employer sponsored program

Session Details:
Date:Tuesday 18^th September
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Venue: B2.13 (Caulfield Campus)

Date:Thursday 4 October
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Venue: S3 Lecture Theatre, Building 25 (Clayton Campus)
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3. International Office Movement at Clayton and Berwick

Berwick Campus
The International office at Berwick has moved. Leanne is now located in building 930, between buildings 901 and 902. Come and see me if you have any enquiries or would just like to sit down for a coffee and a chat.

Clayton Campus
The ISS office relocation to Building 10 has been delayed and will remain in Admin 3C throughout September.  Please note that the Student Service Centre has moved to Building 10.
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4. OSHC Worldcare Campus Visits

OSHC Worldcare are available to assist you with a range of queries including how to apply for holiday credit, how to claim and what benefits you are entitled to under your cover.  Please see below for specific campus visits:

Clayton Campus: Mondays (12.30pm-3.00pm), Tuesdays (12.00pm-3.00pm) and Wednesdays (12.00pm-3.00pm) in building 3C.

Caulfield Campus: Mondays (9.30am-11.30am) and Thursdays (12pm-3.00pm), Service centre in Building A.
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5. Peer Mentor Program - Call for Volunteers

We are looking for Peer Mentors (local and international students) who are interested in assisting new International students settle in to their new university life at Monash.

All Mentors will receive free leadership and cultural awareness training and certificates.  In return we ask Mentors to commit to seeing 1-3 new International students for one hour a week for the first 6 weeks of the semester.  Mentors will also be required to attend group mentor meetings   and at least one designated social activity with the mentee(s)

The next training program will be held in February 2008. If you think you have what it takes we would really like to hear from you. If you are interested click here for the mentor application details.
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6. Working for the First Time - Know your rights

JobWatch will be presenting a session for students about knowing your rights in the workplace. This is an important seminar for students working for the first time.

When: Wednesday 19th September, 12 - 1pm
Venue: S Building, Link Theatre – CAULFIELD Campus
Presenter: Gabrielle Marchetti (Senior Solicitor), Job Watch*
* JobWatch is a Victorian Community Legal Centre specialising in providing free assistance to people about their rights in the workplace.
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7. Programs for you

FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM
Are you here with your family?  If you are a student at Monash and your spouse and/or children are with you here in Melbourne, you are invited to join the International Student Support office's Family Support Program.

The Family Support Program offers you and your family regular social activities and low cost outings. The program is co-ordinated by the Clayton and Caulfield International Student Support offices but is offered to students across all campuses. Membership is free.  If you would like to register your interest in this program, please visit the international office on your campus.

JOIN THE ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP - BERWICK CAMPUS
Want to practice your English conversation skills? Then become a Berwick chatterbox by joining our English conversation group. Take the opportunity to speak with native English speakers in a relaxed environment. No commitment required, just turn up on either Mondays (1:30pm – 2:30pm) or Thursdays (12:00pm – 1:00pm) in the meeting room, Building 930.

COME AND MAKE A CRAZY QUILT - BERWICK CAMPUS
Join us for some fun in making a crazy quilt. All the materials are supplied for you; all you need to do is come along and have some fun. All welcome, if you enjoy crafty things then you will love this.

Thursdays, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Meeting room, Building 930 
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8. FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Stay informed of events happening on and around your campus by checking

our Forthcoming Events website at:

http://www.monash.edu/international/forthcomingevents/

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9. ESOS & THE NATIONAL CODE CHANGES

To familiarise yourself with the requirements and changes to the National Code check:

http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/QuickInfo/ESOS_FrameWork_pdf.htm  

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10. International Student Research Project - A note of thanks

We would like to thank every one who took part in our survey, "Changes in nutritional habits of international students at Monash University."  The support was really good and we have had an amazing response.  We hope that our findings will be useful in implementing changes that will be of use to all.  Thank you once again - 2nd year MBBS research project team.

International Student Support
Phone: 9905 1451

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