Is your student visa expiring?
 If so, you'll need to extend your student visa or apply for an alternative visa before it expires. If you allow your visa to expire, you may have to leave Australia and there is a chance you will not be allowed to return for three years.
You should apply to renew your student visa at least two months before it expires.
To begin, you will need a new electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) from Swinburne International*. You can then apply to renew your visa with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Extensions are not automatic and are granted at the discretion of DIAC.
Follow the step-by-step guide to renewing your visa on the Swinburne International website. If you have any questions, contact DIAC on 131 881 or visit the Swinburne International office on your campus.
* This is different from the 'Confirmation of Enrolment and Tax Invoice' from your faculty.
Want the chance to win a $100 Coles Myer Gift Card?
Swinburne International wants to know what you think.
We are conducting a survey of new students who started studying at Swinburne between June and October this year. It will only take 15-25 minutes to complete.
An email inviting you to participate in the survey will be sent to your Swinburne email address.
Your responses will help us improve our services. We will also be able to provide feedback to our agents to improve their services.
By completing the survey you automatically go into a draw to win one of five Coles Myer gift cards valued at $100 each. The gift card can be used at any Coles, Myer, K-Mart, Target or Officeworks store.
The information you provide will be treated in strictest confidence. Your responses will in no way impact upon your relationship with Swinburne and no information identifying you will be made available to any third party.
Your participation will be greatly appreciated.
SSAA Seven Deadly Sins Ball - tickets selling fast!
 |
Celebrate all your hard work during the semester with classmates. The theme of this year's Swinburne Student Amenities Association (SSAA) annual ball is based on the seven deadly sins.
Come in formal or fancy dress – with a touch of sin!
What: SSAA Seven Deadly Sins Ball.
When: 27 November 2009.
Cost: $55 Swinburne students (with valid student ID)
$65 for non-students.
Includes: Three-course meal, entertainment, beer, wine, champagne, soft drink and orange juice.
Where: Albert by the Lake, Aughtie Drive, Albert Park.
Visit the SSAA website for more information. |
Improve your language and academic skills during the break
 Second semester exams are coming to an end. Use your holiday time to improve your skills for summer semester and 2010 assessment tasks!
LAS individual appointments and conversation groups continue until mid-December. LAS advisers would love to help you develop your language and academic skills.
If you're returning to your home country over the Australian summer, LAS has created a list of handy holiday tips. Email them for a copy to be sent to you.
Book an appointment with an adviser by visiting the LAS website.
Swine Flu vaccine is now available at the Swinburne Health Service
 The Swine Flu vaccine is now in stock at Hawthorn campus's Health Service, located in Mcleod Lane.
You must phone the health centre to book an appointment prior to receiving the vaccination. When you arrive for your vaccination remember to bring your Worldcare OSHC card.
Phone 9214 8483 to book your appointment.
Fifteen minutes of fame? Click here!
|
Prizes are up for grabs in Swinburne Abroad's monthly photo competition.
If you are a current Study Abroad or Exchange student, we'd like photos of your trips and weekends, the city, where you live, campus, Orientation Week or your favourite discovery – anything that shows the fun you're having in Melbourne.
Submit your photo with around 50 words telling us where it was taken, why it's special to you etc.
The next competition deadline is Monday 30 November. But don't wait – start submitting your photos now!
Submission
Bring your photos into a Swinburne Abroad office on a USB or CD (for high resolution shots).
Hawthorn: Monday to Friday (see Marisa)
Prahran: Wednesdays (see Xenia)
Lilydale: Thursdays (see Yuki)
Prizes
Monthly prizes include bookshop vouchers and movie passes. We'll present a final and runner up prize at the end of this year.
Congratulations
Olivia and Jeroen have won prizes for their winning entries (left) in September's photo competition. Nice work, guys!
Get happy snapping! |
Broaden your horizon – become a student of the world
 |
Where do you plan on being next year?
How about seeing the northern lights in Sweden or skiing on the powder snow in Canada or even learning how to salsa in Mexico? With over 60 partner institutions in more than 20 countries, studying on exchange opens you up to the world!
Through participating in the International Exchange Program you have the opportunity to study in a third country.
- maximise your international academic experiences
- be exposed to new cultures
- gain a global perspective
- give your resume a competitive edge
To find out more, visit www.swin.edu.au/abroad.
|
Finishing your course this semester?
 |
If this is your last semester at Swinburne, you are probably counting down the days until you graduate!
To graduate you must submit an Award/Graduation Application form. You are advised to do this prior to receiving your results.
Applications close Tuesday 5 January 2010 to graduate in March/April 2010.
For further information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/graduation.
|
Calling O-Hosts!
 |
Student volunteers are needed for Orientation Week.
Make new students feel at home, meet new people and gain valuable experience helping the SSAA with this important event.
For further information, visit the SSAA Volunteer Program page.
|
Diwali lights shine upon Hawthorn campus
|
The Atrium at Hawthorn campus became awash with colour as it played host to one of the biggest Indian festivals last month.
Diwali, the 'festival of lights' and Bandhi Chorrh Divas was celebrated with the spirit and enthusiasm of a 500-strong crowd made up of local and international students and staff.
Indian and Australian national anthems opened the event, followed by a welcome speech by Swinburne vice-chancellor Ian Young.
The Atrium turned into a dancefloor with the Swinburne Bhangra, Gharbha and Bollywood Groups busting out their moves to tunes spun by Oorjo DJs. Highlights of the day included a multicultural Bhangra performed by local students and a South Indian performance.
The energy-filled dances were accompanied by students offering 'mehandi' (Indian tattoo) and artistic handmade Indian jewellery. Beautiful 'rangoli' (sandpainting decorations) set the Diwali mood. Adding an aromatic atmosphere was mouth-watering food sponsored by Gujjus Hawthorn.
During Diwali, people light 'diyas' (cotton string wicks) inserted in small clay pots filled with oil to signify victory of good over evil within an individual.
The Swinburne Punjabi Club not only represents Punjabi culture, but also prides itself in promoting all cultures in India. Its events are aimed at bringing together the diverse Swinburne community. |
International Commencing Students Study
 |
Are you a Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) student? Did you commence study at Swinburne in Semester 1 this year?
If your answer is yes, the faculty is inviting students to take part a study to help improve educational and learning experiences at Swinburne.
The Faculty of ICT wants to hear about your academic and personal experiences, the good and the not-so-good. One-on-one 30-minute interviews will be held in the EN building at the Hawthorn campus. They will be conducted with a researcher. You will receive movie passes as thanks for your participation.
To find out more, email Dr. Sara Niner at sniner@swin.edu.au.
|
Horticulture students get to smell the roses
 |
Horticulture students from Wantirna campus recently went on an excursion that would probably make most other students jealous!
The students — from China, India and Australia — experienced the marvels of the natural rock phenomena at Organ Pipes National Park, located north-west of Melbourne. The 'pipes' are
a set of basalt columns formed by lava many years ago. The park was also worth the visit for its native vegetation and variety of birds.
In the lead up to Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival, the students also visited the other end of the horticultural spectrum – the highly manicured grounds of Flemington Racecourse.
The different destinations meant students were exposed to rose growing, garden bed maintenance, indigenous plants, soils and parent rocks.
|
Make a world of difference
 |
The Parliament of the World's Religions is the largest interfaith event
in the world.
Held
from 3 – 9 December, over 6000 people are expected to attend. The aim of the parliament is to share and
discuss a multitude of perspectives on a wide range of global issues.
The Youth Program (for those aged 18 – 30 years) will run sessions and workshops. These will look at religion in the media,
sport as a tool for peace, the impact of removal on young indigenous
people, religious challenges between the generations and the
environment.
To check out more about the event, visit www.parliamentofreligions.org |
What's on in Melbourne?
|
