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.

Have you thought about joining a non residential college?
Settling in to a new place can be a fun and exciting time. If you live off-campus, joining a Non-Residential College is a great way to meet new friends, participate in a range of social, cultural and sporting activities and get used to uni life. Aquila College is the new non residential college at the Peninsula Campus.  It’s free to join, and we’d love to meet you!” Sign-up today.

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