Dear students,
Here’s some information to help you settle in and make cultural adjustments, and to connect you to other students and the local community.

International Students with partners and/or children
You are invited to an informal information event to assist to assist international families through their adjustment to a new environment. Topics include overseas health insurance, English language support, community services, child care, accommodation and social opportunities. Children are welcome to come along and refreshments will be available. The fun “Let It Glow” family event will take place following the session.

When: Friday 12 August, 4-6pm
Where: Seminar Room 1, PhD Hub (Holman Hall, 27 Sports Walk, Clayton Campus)

Let it Glow Monash
An event for all the family. Join in a night filled with food trucks, family entertainment, rides, activities, ending with show-stopping fireworks. As part of the Winterfest, it is an event not to be missed.

When: Friday 12 August, 5-9pm
Where: Monash Sport, Clayton Campus

Did you know Allianz Global Assistance has a My OSHC Assistant App?
Download the My OSHC Assistant app from the App store or Google Play and have easy access to:
– Instant E-membership card. (You don’t have to order a physical card as Doctors and Hospitals will accept the e-card)
– Easy access to your policy Information
– Set up your security PIN
– Find a Doctor using the GPS network on your mobile
– Medical term translator (up to 20 languages)
– Submit your claim from your mobile

Student Safety Seminars
Your safety is important to us at Monash! Learn some news ways to improve your personal safety on and off-campus with advice and assistance form a panel of experts including the Victoria Police, Monash Security and the Safer Community Unit. Attend the seminar on your campus. Register now.

Security Bus
A security bus service for the Clayton and Caulfield campuses is provided between 5.30pm and midnight Monday to Friday, leaving every 30 minutes. The security bus route and bus stops are located on the Clayton campus and Caulfield campus. You can see where the bus is by viewing the live tracker on the Monash App under Transport or on the security bus page.

International student Orientation session
If you have recently commenced your candidature at Monash, come to an International Student: Essential information session and learn all you need to know as a new international graduate research student to help you with your transition to study at Monash and living in Melbourne. The next session on Monday 8th August at Clayton. Register Online.

Study Melbourne Student Centre (SMSC)
The Centre provides international students in Victoria with information and professional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students can get access to information on housing, legal and health issues, as well as crisis intervention and support in emergency situations. All services are free and confidential. To learn more,visit the SMSC website.

Conversational English Program
English Connect has lots of fun and free programs to improve your English! Practice your conversation and learn about Australia in Let’s Chat. Get help with written English grammar at Peer Support. Sessions start 8 August.
Email: english.connect@monash.edu for more information.

Are you Rent Smart?
Renting in the private rental market can sometimes be challenging. There are so many things to do, places to inspect, contracts to read and understand! Here are a couple of important things to remember:
• Make sure you have all your landlord’s details (email address, contact address, not just phone number)
• Communicate with your landlord in writing
• Make sure you get receipts for everything you pay for
The Off campus accommodation and Rent Smart website is a useful link for students who live off campus know their tenancy rights and responsibilities.

Welcome from the Monash Postgraduate Association (MPA)
Monash Postgraduate Association (MPA) is the representative body for all postgraduate students. They provide free services to support the needs to postgraduate students including advocacy, representation, seminars, free lunches and social events. Visit the MPA website and subscribe to their fortnightly news.

Free Movie Night
Join senior students for a movie night to watch Monsters University. There will be free pizza and snacks.
Where: Monash Cinema, Room G1.49, Clayton
When: Thursday 4 August, 6pm -8.45pm

Phillip Island day trip
Spend the day on a magical Phillip island and witness the famous penguin parade.
When: 7 August
Cost: $79 Monash Postgrads

Weekend away in the Otways and Great Ocean Road Experience
Join fellow postgraduate students on a fantastic weekend away with coastal scenery, lush temperate rainforests, cascading waterfalls and friendly colourful birds. Accommodation, transport, most meals and Otway Fly tree included.
When: 3-4 September
Cost: $150 Monash Postgrads

Free Yoga Classes
Free yoga classes at Caulfield and Clayton. No booking necessary. Limited spaces available in the class so make sure you arrive on time to avoid disappointment.
Caulfield – Thursdays 10-11.30am
Aerobics Room at Monash sport
Yoga mats are provided

Clayton – Mondays 4.45 – 6.15pm
Seminar Room, Graduate Student Hub, Campbell Hall
Bring your yoga mat

Any queries, contact caroline.baroow@monash.edu

International Student Engagement
If you have any feedback about the newsletter or suggestions of items to be included, please email iss@monash.edu

Volunteer Opportunity
We are seeking students who will be in Singapore or Malaysia in June to volunteer at the Monash Pre-departure briefing.

Volunteers are required to meet and greet new students and parents, assist at the registration desk, share their Monash journey from a student perspective and answer any questions from the audience.

This is a great opportunity to connect with others, gain some public speaking experience and help support new students coming to Monash. Selected volunteers will receive a certificate of appreciation.

Singapore: Wednesday 15 June 2016, 7:30pm – 9:30pm at the RELC Hotel
Malaysia: Saturday 18 June 2016, 1:00pm – 3:30pm at Monash University

Register your interest here. Please note that this is a volunteering opportunity and expenses will not be covered.

Need help lodging your tax return?
Make an appointment with an Australian Tax Office trained volunteer!
Appointments are free and available on Caulfield and Clayton Campus. Bookings are essential.

When: 1 July – 31 October

Counselling Services
Monash offers a range of counselling services that are free and confidential. No issue is too big or too small.

– Make an appointment to see a counsellor from 9-5 weekdays. Drop-in or call       9905 3020
– Contact a counsellor by email. You will get a reply within three working days
– After hours phone counselling. call  1300 STUDENT (1300 788 336)

Monash Security Videos
If you are ever worried about your own or someone else’s safety, see something suspicious or just want some security advice, help is just a phone call away. Our Monash security videos offer some advice and tips to stay safe. You can view the videos in other languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Indonesian, Mandarin, Sinhalese and Tamil.

Orientation for new international graduate research students
If you recently commenced your candidature at Monash University, come to an International Student: Essential Information session and learn all you need to know as a new international graduate research student to help with your transition to study at Monash University and living in Melbourne. The next session is Thursday 16th June at 10.30 to 12.30

Do you know any Monash Olympians?
The Olympics are coming up soon! Do you know of a Monash person competing at the Olympics? Or is someone you know competing at the Olympics? Team MONASH will be broadcasting our athletes on campus during the Olympics. Let us know if you want to see specific athletes on the big screen! Contact Emily at Team MONASH on Emily.Cherry@monash.edu                    (Right: Heming Hu)

Monash Postgraduate Association Trips
Winery tours to the Yarra Valley – Spend the day tasting some of Australia’s best cold climate wines and learn about wine-making. For just $80 postgrads can enjoy a gourmet lunch and tastings at four of the more popular wineries in the region. Register here.

When: Saturday 25 June and Saturday 19 November
Cost: $80

Central Australia
27 to  30 September, 2016
$1000 Monash postgrad /$1,100 partners
Book and pay by end of June. Register here

Kindergarten places now available at Monash Children’s Centre (Clayton)
Kindergarten places are now available for the 4 year old and 3 year old program. The centre runs independently from the university and is led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. Children must be enrolled for a minimum of 15 hours a week (over 2 days) for 4 year old children who are not attending kindergarten elsewhere. For more information about vacancies or to enrol your child, please contact 03 9905 3062 or visit the website.

School Holiday Program
With school holidays rapidly approaching, parents are reminded that Camp Australia is running the University’s School Holiday Program. There are lots of fun games and body moving activities to keep kids running, hopping, skipping and dodging their way through the day! For further information and to register, check out the Camp Australia website

Where: Monash Sport, Clayton Campus
When: Starts Monday 27 June – Friday 8 July

Holiday Intensive Swimming Program
Do you have a child who is new to swimming and needs to move up to the next level? This 5 day intensive swimming and water safety program is a great chance to fast track progress for busy kids and adults who don’t have time to go to regular swimming lessons throughout the term. Lessons are taught by qualified AUSTSWIM instructors and go for 40-45 minutes each. Check out the website for more information and to register.

When: Monday 4 July to Friday 8 July.

If you have any feedback about the newsletter or suggestions of items to be included, please email iss@monash.edu.