Swine flu update
 Outbreaks of a new strain of swine influenza (or flu) in the USA and Mexico are generating significant media attention.
Although the World Health Organisation has raised its alert to level 5 – declaring a swine flu pandemic imminent – there have been no reported cases in Australia.
Students from the US and Mexico who have any concerns can contact Gail Quirk from Swinburne International on (03) 9214 8884. Swinburne Abroad students intending to travel to these regions can contact Karen Docking on (03) 9214 8890.
Swine flu can be transmitted from human to human through coughing, sneezing or touching infected people or surfaces and then touching your mouth or nose. The symptoms are similar to regular types of flu however some people can also have nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Precautionary steps to take to help prevent transmission:
- If you are unwell with a fever or cough you should consult a doctor as usual.
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially before eating.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, use a tissue and dispose of it appropriately.
 From the Swinburne Health Service: don't forget to bring your health insurance card when you see a doctor or a nurse on campus. If you need to renew your health insurance, contact OSHC Worldcare or Medibank Private.
Can you bend it like Beckham?
 The search for Swinburne College's answer to David Beckham is still on!
The Pathways Cup is an annual football (or soccer, as we like to call it in Australia!) tournament for ELICOS, Foundation and Unilink students around Melbourne.
You'll be able to represent Swinburne and compete against students from other university and TAFE colleges. It's a round robin competition, so each team plays a least three matches on the day. Guys and girls are both welcome!
When: Saturday 13 June
Where: Monash University, Clayton
Register your interest and help Swinburne College bring home the Pathways Cup!
On the subject of pathways: if you're currently enrolled at Swinburne College or TAFE and wondering what to do next, come along to Pathways Month to find out about your further study options and career opportunities.
What are employers really looking for?
 Get your career on the right track with the Career and Employment Unit's international student seminar series.
Successful networking in Australia | Thursday 14 May, 10.30am–11.30am (TD121)
Learn how to make connections and build relationships
What do employers look for? | Thursday 21 May, 2.30pm–4.00pm (TD121)
You'll be able to ask a panel of employers about how to increase your employability and stay competitive in the current labour market.
Register now via the Careers and Employment Unit's website, phone (03) 9214 5360 or drop in to the ground floor of the SPW Building on the Hawthorn campus.
These are the last two sessions for this seminar series, so don't miss out!
Malaysia-Australia Business Council Essay Competition
 The Malaysia-Australia Business Council (MABC) is offering one lucky student a return flight to Malaysia for a four-week internship in January 2010.
All you have to do is write an essay (no longer than 2000 words) on the following topic:
'An internship experience in Malaysia would add value to my qualification and professional development.'
The competition is open to students from Malaysia and Australia. Click here for eligibility, selection criteria and submit your essay with your application form.
Entries close Saturday 30 May.
Get talking with LAS
 Does your brain feel like a jumbled mess every time you open your mouth?
The good news is that you're not the only one! The not so good news? The best way to improve your English conversation skills is with a bit of practise and perseverance.
Language and Academic Services (LAS) hold weekly Lunchtime Conversation Groups at the Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses.
They're a great way to practise your conversation skills with other students in an informal and non-threatening setting and you can talk about, well, pretty much anything!
LAS also run regular workshops and staff are available for individual and small group appointments. Find out more about LAS services.
Looking to make new friends?
 Come along, share your experiences and meet new friends from all over the world!
The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Program (CALD) is a free program especially for international and regional students. There's free food, free trips and free activities!
Drop in for afternoon tea on the one of the following days to find out what it's all about:
Thursday 7 May | Friday 15 May | Thursday 21 May | Friday 29 May
We meet at 3.00pm in room TD 326 at the Hawthorn campus.
If you'd like to come along, please contact Lynne on (03) 9214 8025 or email lyparker@swin.edu.au.
Experience the Red Centre with SSAA
 Make the most of the mid-year break with the Swinburne Student Amenities Association (SSAA) in Central Australia from Monday 22 June–Friday 3 July.
- Stay in an underground house at Coober Pedy, the opal capital
- Camp under the stars at Ayers Rock (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park)
- Go hot air ballooning in Alice Springs and much more*!
$600 for Swinburne students; $800 for non-Swinburne travellers. *Hot air ballooning (and other optional activities) not included. Click here for a full list of tour inclusions.
Only 40 places available, so get your bookings in as soon as possible.
For more information, contact Nik Willmott on (03) 9214 8174 or email nwillmott@swin.edu.au.
News from the Lilydale campus
 Melbourne put on it's best spring weather for our international student picnic in St Kilda over the Easter weekend. Everyone soaked up the atmosphere of Acland Street and the Esplanade markets before finishing up with lunch on St Kilda Beach (pictured left).
Our finishing students who attended our Returning Home Program last month got all the info they'll need about graduation, kick starting their career, staying in touch with Swinburne alumni and tips for re-adjusting to life back home. Stay tuned for details of future programs when it comes time to return to your home country.
We'd also like to extend a huge thank-you to our O'Hosts for their fantastic work in helping new international students during orientation: Sooyoung Choi, Yichao (Bob) Wang, Yan (Alice) Jin and Hongfei (Dean) Shen.
If you'd like to lend a hand to new students as an O'Host next semester, please contact Marissa or Lorraine from Swinburne International.
Can science help save the world?
 SSAA's Postgraduate Student Advisory Group (PSAG) invites postgraduate students to a free lecture by well-known science journalist and broadcaster Robyn Williams.
Robyn has presented The Science Show on ABC Radio National since 1975 and has appeared in many TV programs including Catalyst, Nature of Australia and World Safari with David Attenborough.
He was the first (and only) journalist to be elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, has been a fellow at Oxford University and is a Professor at the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales. His latest book is Unintelligent Design: Why God Isn't as Smart as She Thinks She Is.
Please register your attendance by emailing scn@swin.edu.au.
What's on in Melbourne?
Looking for some fun in the city? Check out what's happening in and around Melbourne in the coming months.
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