Dear students,

Welcome to your first monthly newsletter for international students. Here’s some information to help you settle in and connect you to other students and the local community.

Change of address
As part of your student visa conditions, you MUST update your address if you have recently moved to a new accommodation. Please do so via the Web Enrolment System (WES) or contact Monash Connect at your campus. You must also include emergency contact details.

Public transport concession card – iUSEpass
International undergraduate students are entitled to 50% discount on the price of an annual transport pass – the iUSEpass. This pass allows unlimited travel for 365 days from date of first use. For information on eligibility and to apply, visit the transport concessions website or Monash Connect on campus.

Sun, swim and splash
Enjoy a day of fun and games at the beach and learn how to stay safer in and around the water with the Life Saving Victoria team. Try a range of body boards and flotation devices and make new friends.  For more information, visit the Sun, swim and splash website.

When: Saturday 10 March, 10am – 5pm
Cost: $30 includes beach activities, lunch, transport from Clayton or Caulfield campuses
Where: Carrum Beach

Ticket sales close at 9am on Tuesday 6th March.

Water Wise
Water Wise is an “Introduction to Swimming” program aimed at increasing water safety awareness and swimming ability of Monash students. This program is fun, free and is held at the Doug Ellis Swimming Pool on Clayton campus. There are also swimming classes for women only as well. Find out more information about learning how to swim at Monash.

Get Rent Smart!
Renting in the private rental market can sometimes be challenging. There are so many things to do, places to inspect, and contracts to read and understand! Here is a couple of important things to remember:

• Make sure you have all your landlord’s details (email address, contact details, not just a phone number)
• Communicate with your real estate agent/landlord in writing
• Get receipts for everything you pay for

Visit the Rent-Smart website for more help with rights and responsibilities and living off-campus or go to ask.monash to search for answers or submit an enquiry.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) membership
You can now access your e-membership card through the “My OSHC Assistant App”. There is no need to wait for a card to arrive in the mail. Use the app to update personal details including passport and nationality. Read the step-by-step guide on downloading and registering the app, or speak to an OSHC representative on campus.

Diversity and Inclusion
Monash aims to create an inclusive environment at the university for all students and staff. With a focus on Cultural inclusion, Anti-Racism, LGBTIQ inclusion and Equal Opportunity, the Diverstity and Inclusion team run events and programs, provide training opportunities and develop resources to raise awareness and educate our community.

Queer 101 training sessions  cover the basics of the LGBTIQ acronym, common terminology and some of the key issues faced by LGBTIQ communities. Register online.

International Students with families
Monash welcomes international students with partners and children.  You are invited to an information event to assist families through the  adjustment to a new environment. Topics include overseas health insurance, English language support, community services, child care, accommodation and social opportunities. The first half of the session will be information and networking and the second half will be BBQ at the Lemon Scented Lawn. Children are welcome. Register you attendance now.

When: Thursday 22nd March,  – 4 – 6pm
Where: Graduate Seminar Room 2, Campbell Hall, 21 Sports Walk, Clayton campus

Monash Security
Our security videos offers tips and advice for all Monash students. Watch the security video.

Salaam Monash booklet
Salaam Monash is a handbook to assist Muslim students with settling and adjusting to life in Australia. It comes in different languages and are available online the Monash website.

English Connect
Grammar Services
English Connect runs two grammar services, a drop-in service called Peer Support to assist with academic writing which you can find in the libraries, as well as two-hour specific workshops on different aspects of grammar.

Presentation Skills
Improve your pronunciation and presentation skills for university assignments, public speaking or job interviews!

Workplace Talk
Develop global communication skills with language for interviews, how to talk with your colleagues and networking practice. Increase your employability now!

AFIS Info Day 2018
The AFIS (Australian Federation of International Students) Info Day provides essential information for international students to hear directly from experts on finding a home or job in Melbourne and get personal career development and immigration advice.  Check our out AFIS website or the event page!

When: Saturday 10 March, 11am – 5pm
Where: Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

Holi Festival – Connecting Cultures through Colour
Come along to this ancient Hindu celebration where you can celebrate the food, music and dancing and art of South Asia and the Indian subcontinent. “Holi” is one of the most vibrant festivals of India and has now become and international Festival of Colours. The spirit of Holi is about hope, happiness and peaceful existence. It brings communities, nationalities and different religious, ethnic groups together by assisting in understanding of richness in diversities, necessary to build a harmonious multicultural society. Join this FREE event that brings together a community of various cultures, religions and national backgrounds and enjoy food trucks, stalls, camel rides, live performances and the traditional sprinkling of coloured powder.

When: Sunday 11 March, 11am – 6pm
Where: Monash Sport Clayton campus, 42 Scenic Boulevard, Clayton VIC 3800

The heat is on at SummerFest
SummerFest is a celebration of campus life across all Monash campuses! Enjoy the spread of over 30+ SummerFest activities and download the program details online.
When: 6 March to 10 April

Highlights include:

• Holi Festival – 11 March
• Street Food Fest – 13 March
• MAX – Monash Arcade Gaming Expo – 16 March
• BBQ Bash – 22 March
• Cinema series – 9, 14, 20, 27, 28 March and 10 April

Daylight Saving Ends
Victoria’s period of daylight saving will end on Sunday 1 April. Remember to turn your clocks backward one hour on that day at 3am to 2am.

Where to find cheaper textbooks
Textbooks can get quite expensive. If you’re finding it difficult to borrow the textbook you need from the Monash library, you might be able to borrow it from another library through the CAVAL reciprocal borrowing program which allows you to borrow a book from another Victorian library. You could also try searching online to purchase the book  you need on  Monash Marketplace,  StudentVIP , Uniswap.com.au,  Ebay, Fishpond, Zookal or Gumtree.

Dear students,

Welcome to your first monthly newsletter! Here are some tips to help you settle in, make cultural adjustments, and connect you to other students and the local community.

International student Orientation sessions
If you arrived late or missed the compulsory International Student:Essential Information Session, we have organised repeat sessions just for you! Register online. These sessions at Clayton will help you transition to life in Melbourne and to life at university. Students from any campus are welcome to attend.

Have you updated your address?
As a student visa condition, you must provide your current address and phone number in Melbourne to Monash. Update your information via the Web Enrolment System (WES) or contact Monash Connect. Make sure you include your emergency contact details too.

New to Monash? Too shy to speak? Not confident with English grammer?
You are not alone – English Connect is here to share tips and support you!
English Connect offers a range of free peer to peer programs developing academic and conversational English, grammar and public speaking. To find what programs are the best for you, visit the English Connect website and check out how to register .

Chance to win a Monash Hoodie 
We want to assess the level of demand for packaged trips and tours offered to students at Monash. It will take about 2 minutes to complete, and your responses will remain anonymous and help Monash provide a better experience for students. Take the survey here for your chance to win this hoodie.

Public transport concession card – iUSEpass
International undergraduate students are entitled to 50% discount on the price of an annual transport pass – the iUSEpass. This pass allows unlimited travel for 365 days from date of first use. For information on eligibility and to apply, visit the transport consessions website or visit Monash Connect on campus.

Allianz Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Step 1. Register for your online services   Visit: www.allianzassistancehealth.com.au
Step 2: Download the My OSHC Assistance app

On your OSHC Assistant app you have easy access to:
– Your instant E-membership card. (You don’t have to order a physical card as doctors and hospitals will accept the e-card)
– Your policy information
– Finding a Doctor using the GPS network on your mobile
– Medical term translator (up to 20 languages)
– Submit your claims for medical expenses

If you are on a student visa, you must have OSHC for the duration of stay in Australia. If you need assistance, speak to an Allianz representative on campus.

Free tickets to an Aussie Rules football game at the MCG
The Melbourne Football Club is hosting a Student Match Day Experience involving activities and the chance to watch the Melbourne Football Club  AFL team play at Australia’s biggest sporting stadium (MCG).
When: Sunday August 13th – 9.30am check in  for a 10am start
Where: Gosch’s Paddock – Corner of Punt Rd and Olympic Blvd.  Public transport information.
Activity: Hands on session – 10am to 11am   After that we will walk together to the MCG at approx. 11.30am to watch the game – Melbourne v’s St Kilda.
Game starts: 1.10pm
Registration link

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

Check out the Off campus accommodation and Rent Smart websites and learn about your tenancy rights and responsibilities.

Monash Security
The security video offers some tips and advice for students arriving at Monash for the first time. If you are studying late at the Caulfield or Clayton campus, make sure to use the FREE security bus to help you get around campus after dark. The bus operates from 5.30pm – midnight, Monday to Fridays, leaving every 30 minutes. See where the bus is by viewing the live tracker for Clayton or Caulfield Campus on the Monash App under Transport.

Ask Me Ambassadors: Ask us questions!
Friendly ASK Me volunteers are available at all campuses to help you with any general questions such as finding where certain Uni buildings and lecture theatres are, finding your faculty office and other University services and where to find the cross campus transport! Look out for your local Ask Me Ambassadors on campus!

WinterFest
From the 7-13 August, all monash campuses will be transformed into a winter wonderland. There will be daily entertainment, live music, a snow zone, light show, comedy performances, night market, fireworks and a selection of food trucks to choose from. Details are available on the WinterFest website.

Monash Library 101
Access the Monash Library Orientation guide to get a head start on your studies and find out about places to study, how to start your research, library resources available and other study tips!

Salaam Monash Salaam Monash
Salaam Monash is a handbook to assist Muslim students with settling and adjusting to life in Australia. It comes in different languages and is available online the Monash website

International Students with Families
Come to an networking information event to assist international students with families. Meet like-minded people, make social connections and gather information on services and programs to help you settle into Melbourne and children. Partners and children are welcome. Refreshments will be available. Register online.

Local community and Monash service representatives will be available to answer any questions you might have on a range of topics including;  child care, accommodation, English language support, healthcare and more.

When: Friday 11 August 3.30 to 6pm
Where: Where: English Connect Seminar Room, G106 (Campus Centre)

Following this event, families are invited to the ‘Winter Carnival’,  a family focused event being offered as part of the Monash Winterfest Program.

The Winter Carnival is a free event on the Clayton campus with food trucks, roving entertainment, rides, a kids’ zone… and a fireworks display to light up the night! Fireworks begin around 7.30pm.

Monash 2017 Facebook group
To get to know people, keep up to date with social events, clubs and societies, join the New to Monash 2017 Facebook group.

Monash Day Out – Phillip Island
Hundreds of new international students recently went to Phillip Island Penguin Parade and Wildlife park. Everyone got a chance to get up close to kangaroos, wallabies, emus and see the little penguins on the beach at sunset. This was a popular trip and tickets sold out fast. If you missed out on coming along, and you are still interested in visiting Phillip Island, you can register for a tour with Bunyip by calling (03) 9650 9680 and quoting Mon2017 for a 15% discount. You can also use this code to register for other tours to the Great Ocean Road, Wilsons Prom and the Dandenong Ranges.