MULTICULTURAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER. Orientation & Welcome Back Week Edition. Centre for Multicultural Services Ballarat Edition February 2017

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1 MULTICULTURAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER Centre for Multicultural Services Ballarat Edition February 2017 Orientation & Welcome Back Week Edition CRICOS Provider No D

2 KEY DATES Important Dates 13-17th February - FedReady Program 20th and 21st February - International Student Orientation (O-week) 27th February - Semester 1 begins 1st March - Clean up Australia Day 9th March - Labour Day (Long weekend) 12th March - Ballarat Begonia Festival 20th March - Nowruz (Persian New Year) 21st March - World Harmony Day 31st March - Census Date 14th - 18th April - Easter Break 18th - 28th April - Lecture break for Higher Education 5th - 9th June - Swot Vac Period 13th - 26th June - Semester 1 Examinations 27th June- 28th July - Mid-semester Break for Higher Education Multicultural Services Welcome to all of our new international and multicultural/cald students on campus as well as our returning students. We hope you enjoy this newsletter edition which gives you lots of information about events and activities planned over the coming weeks not just on campus but around Ballarat. Our office is located in the Albert Coates Building, above the hub - U117 at Mount Helen and in the D Building of SMB campus. The newsletter is sent out monthly and is always jam-packed full of information about what is going on and support services that are available to you. We also have a Facebook group page that we highly recommend everyone to join to keep updated with events/activities on a daily basis! Our door is always open- so call in if you have any problems or just want to say hi! SERVICES

3 EVENTS + ACTIVITIES Harmony Fest Harmony Fest is a wonderfully diverse festival that embraces Ballarat s multicultural community. March 17th - 26th Harmony Fest 2017 will be a jam-packed 9 days of fun, flavour, music, film and special events. Promoting the theme All of Us, Harmony Fest 2017 will explode across the city in celebration of Ballarat s wonderful diversity. In previous years events have included; colourful parades, cuisines from around the world and lots of family friendly activities. If you would like to find out further information about Harmony Fest head on over to their Facebook page for updates: Ballarat Begonia Festival Ballarat Begonia Festival falls on Labour Day weekend in March, so if you re looking for a fun-filled weekend that is FREE the the Begonia Festival is the place to be. March 11th - 13th The award winning Begonia Festival is one of regional Victoria s largest and most popular festivals attracting over 60,000 patrons annually. The famous Begonia display, celebrity gardeners, markets, live entertainment, kids entertainment and a community parade, there will be something for everyone. Labour Day Weekend March 2017 Ballarat Botanical Gardens English Corner (FREE Conversation Class) Practising your English is really important for not only your studies but also for future job opportunities and speaking with your fellow classmates. Every Wednesday - 11:00-11:45am Every Wednesday we will be holding an English conversation class called English Corner in the Student Lounge (above the Hub in the Albert Coates Building). We welcome all students to come along and speak with other students from CALD, domestic and international backgrounds in a relaxed environment. We will cover things such as Aussie slang, world topics and events and activities that are going on around Ballarat. It is a drop in class, so bring your lunch and your friends and let us help you practice your English! For further details, please look for our poster around campus or us: international.ss@federation.edu.au

4 On - Campus Orientation Program EVENTS + ACTIVITIES 20th and 21st February, 8am - 4pm The FedUni On-Campus International Orientation is a compulsory two day program from new students to explain your rights and responsibilities as an international student; hear from staff, industry experts; and meet service providers who will be on-campus to provide you with information and assistance in: * Academic resources and help * Campus facilities explained * Land, natural disaster safety * Health and welfare * Long term accommodation options * Obtaining student ID card * Opening bank accounts * Understanding finance * Faculty information * Individual enrolment/timetable For more information, please see your welcome Ballarat Tour and Picnic Lunch 21st February 12:30-4pm Discover what Ballarat has to offer. Our tour of Ballarat is designed for you to get to know the city centre, historial landmarks and various other attractions. * Visit Ballarat s main attractions including Lydiard street scape, our multicultural history and top locations in the Ballarat CBD. * Lunch will be provided at our final destination - Lake Wendouree Bus will depart from the Mount Helen Campus flagpole at 12:30pm and return by 4pm. Students are to bring comfortable walking shoes, hat and sunscreen. Torquay Beach Trip Australian s have a love of the ocean, so it is important that you understand about water safety. We have combined our water safety briefing, a trip to the beach with an option to surf. 25th February 8:30-5pm * Safety briefing by Surf Life-Saving Victoria * Surfboard hire available in Torquay ($30) * Light refreshments provided Bus will depart from the Mount Helen Campus flagpole at 8:30am and will return 5pm. Students are asked to bring water, swimming wear, towels and lunch (there will be the opportunity to buy lunch as well) Limited places available for this trip so you must register prior to the day. 50% off tickets to Ballarat Wildlife Park 4th and 5th March ONLY We are offering a 50% discount to experience one of Ballarat s finest tourist attractions - the Ballarat Wildlife Park. The Ballarat Wildlife Park specialises in native Australian animals and a wide variety of exotic reptiles. From free-roaming kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, eagles, giant tortoises, crocoliles and alligators to a large display of lizards and both venomous and non-venomous snakes! You can collect your 50% off ticket at Orientation from Bek or Luke.

5 Ballarat Food & Drink Experience Ballarat is home to some amazing cafes, bars and restaurants and we want to show you what Ballarat has to offer. March 16th Join us for a tour of some of Ballarat s finest coffee, tapas and mouth watering desserts. We will be showcasing a select few cafes, bars and restaurants to give you the best possible culinary experience available. This event will be limited to 20 places so it is essential that you register your interest with the International office as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Further details can be found by ing: international.ss@federation.edu.au Grampians Outback Adventure Join us for a day trip to one of Victoria s most popular tourist attractions- the Grampians. Discover grand and rugged mountain ranges, spectacular wildflower displays, and a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities in the Grampians National Park. March 25th, DAY TRIP * Full day sightseeing and bushwalking * Feed the native kangaroos * Experience the iconic Halls Gap * Lunch provided within cost ($15) Bus will depart from the Mount Helen Campus flagpole at 8:30am on Saturday 25th and return by 7pm Melbourne Night Market March 29th, 3:30 pm - 10pm Discover Melbourne s famous Queen Victoria market, eat and drink your way around the world one dish at a time with more than 50 street food traders cooking up a global feast. There will be live music and specialty shopping from artisan designer and vintage collectors. Bus will depart from the Mount Helen Campus flagpole 3:30pm and return to campus at 10pm. COST: FREE bus, food vendors will be at own cost. Welcome Dinner Bring a plate, bring a friend and join us for our welcome dinner in March. 9th March, 5:30-9:30pm We will be hosting a fun-filled evening right here on campus with an array of foods from different cultures. This evening is a great way of meeting new friends and experiencing new cultures. We encourage you to bring a friend, a family member and a plate of food from your country and enjoy an evening with us. Further details to follow...

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8 This month s front cover image: Lake Wendouree at sunset. SOCIAL MEDIA Gippsland Student Connect Building 3N, Room 102 Phone: international.ss@federation.edu.au Mt Helen International Student Support Office 1st floor, Building U, Room 117 Phone: international.ss@federation.edu.au CONTACT