Welcome to the Student Life Monthly News!

The Student Life Monthly News contains updates, announcements and events that are relevant to international students. The newsletter is delivered straight to your inbox every month.

If you wish to change your email address, please email siactive@swin.edu.au with your new details. Feedback about the new format is also welcome.

Your Swinburne International Student Life Team

International Student Advisors are met by appointments only; call 9214 6741 or email isa@swin.edu.au

Include your full name, student ID, campus, phone number and the reason for your appointment.

New International Student Survey – Five Lucky Winners of $100 Coles Group Gift Card

Swinburne International conducted an online survey of new international students who started their studies between June and October 2007. The survey is to help us improve our services, and to provide feedback to our agents to improve their services to prospective students.

We received about 270 responses. All respondents were put into a draw to win one of five Coles Group Gift Cards valued at $100 each.

Congratulations to the following lucky winners!

Neha Rauniyar
Vikay Gadhavi
Carolina Smolinski
Aakash Sembey
Dando

Thank you to all who have completed the survey. Swinburne International is reviewing the results, and will provide an update to all students in early 2008. The survey results will help us improve the services that Swinburne International provides to all international students.

2008 Employment Fair at Swinburne's Hawthorn Campus

Swinburne's Careers and Employment unit will hold its annual Employment Fair on 5 March 2008, at the Hawthorn campus Atrium.

The Employment Fair is a 'must-attend' event, especially for students who will be graduating this year. More than 50 graduate employers will be participating in this year's event, making it an excellent opportunity for final year students to meet potential employers on-campus.

Visit the Careers and Employment website for more information.

KPMG Australia Graduate Program 2009

Exciting news for final-year accounting students!

Starting February this year, KPMG in Australia will be accepting applications for its 2009 Graduate Recruitment intake, from accounting students who have not yet obtained their Australian permanent residency. Students can apply for graduate employment in KPMG's Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices.

In order to be eligible to apply for this graduate program, international students must meet the criteria required for them to apply for, and obtain, their permanent residency immediately after they graduate. KPMG Australia will not be sponsoring any students. If the student is successful in obtaining a graduate role it will be a condition of their employment that they independently apply for and obtain permanent residency.

The current requirements for international students to obtain permanent residency after graduation will form the conditions that must be met in order to apply for the KPMG graduate program. These include:

• be completing or have completed an Australian undergraduate degree that is accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia as satisfying the academic requirements for entry into the Chartered Accountants Program
• have studied this degree for at least 2 full years while based in Australia
• have completed and be able to provide results indicating that they have achieved a level 6 on all four components of the IELTS language test (www.ielts.org) which includes reading, writing, speaking and listening. If the student holds a passport from the UK, USA, Canada or the Republic of Ireland they will not need to provide these test results; AND
• be under the age of 45 when they complete their degree, as specified by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

As KPMG graduates are recruited on a permanent full-time basis, only applications from international students that meet the above criteria, and therefore qualify for permanent residence after graduation, will be accepted. KPMG will not accept applications from from international students who will only qualify for the 18-month temporary (subclass 485) visa upon graduation.

Due to the fact that it might take some time for students to book in for the IELTS test and to obtain the results required to be submitted with their application, this exciting news is being communicated now to ensure that any eligible international students will be able to obtain their IELTS results in time to apply for the 2009 graduate program. The application closing dates are as follows:

Adelaide - Sunday 6 April 2008
Brisbane - Wednesday 9 April 2008
Melbourne - Wednesday 2 April 2008
Perth - Sunday 20 April 2008
Sydney - Thursday 17 April 2008

Swinburne's Careers and Employment unit strongly encourages final-year students to attend this year's Employment Fair on 5 March at the Hawthorn campus Atrium from 12pm-3pm. Check the Careers and Employment website for more information.

Accommodation Helpdesk During Orientation Period

Swinburne International conducts a free Accommodation Assistance Program during the university orientation period. The program includes an Accommodation Helpdesk, which offers help and advice for students seeking accommodation while at Swinburne.

The Accommodation Helpdesk will run during the Semester 1, 2008 orientation period. For a list of dates and times when the Accommodation Helpdesk will be open, refer to the Accommodation Assistance Program webpage.

Permission to Work Visas - DIAC Outreach Program

Officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be at the Hawthorn campus to process Permission to Work (PTW) applications and evidence visa labels.

Note: You only need to make an appointment if you are lodging your application on paper, rather than online.

To make an appointment or for further information, call DIAC at 131 881.

Want to Take Your International Study Experience Even Further?

Imagine completing your education having had study experiences across three countries! Participate in Swinburne’s Exchange Program and you can make it a reality. Eligible international students can apply to spend one or two semesters at one of Swinburne’s overseas partner institutions. With over fifty partners across twenty countries, there are programs to suit most students’ needs.

Swinburne encourages all students to maximise their international experience and it has never been easier with over $200,000 worth of scholarships on offer to go abroad. Additionally, going on exchange will not lengthen your course as you will receive full credit for your overseas studies. Another bonus is you only pay your normal Swinburne tuition fees whilst abroad, which can mean big savings when studying at a European or American institution.

To find out more about this exciting opportunity and other overseas study options visit the Education Abroad website. Here you can find comprehensive information on: the range of programs; exchange partners; eligibility criteria; application procedures and scholarships.

You can also read about students’ experiences at the Swinburne Wanderer Blog

Pack your bags and see where your Swinburne course can take you!

Learn More about the Swinburne Library – Information Sessions

Need some help with finding your way around the library, and accessing its many facilities?

Come along to an information session at the Swinburne Library. Our friendly staff will take you on a tour of the library, guide you through some basics like finding books and online reserve articles, as well as show you how to access facilities like computers, printing, and photocopying. No bookings needed - just turn up.

Get a schedule of Information Session dates and times

Find out more about the Swinburne Library

2008 Night Bus Service On Campus

Studying late at the library? Or maye you are just leaving campus later than usual. Do you know that a Night Bus service operates out of Swinburne's campuses in Hawthorn, Prahran and Lilydale?

Important: Please note that the Night Bus will NOT operate on these dates: 10 March, 13 May, 9 June, 22 August, 4 November.

We encourage students to be aware of their personal safety and to use this service.

Night Bus departure times

Swinburne Information Centre (SIC) and Swinburne International Reception – Late Opening Hours

The Swinburne Information Centre (SIC) and Swinburne International (SI) front counter has extended its opening hours during the enrolment/re-enrolment period.

Until February 2008, the SIC (including the cashier) and SI front counter at ALL campuses will be open until 6pm every THURSDAY only, on the following dates:

Free LAS Refresher Course in February 2008

Please note that the free Academic Language and Learning Course offered by Swinburne's Language and Academic Skills (LAS) Unit in February is now fully booked.

However, if you wish to improve your skills for academic study and successful communication, please contact the Language and Academic Skills (LAS) Advisers on 9214 5583 or email lashawthorn@swin.edu.au

Welcome Festival - Semester 1, 2008

We are having a party! To welcome both our new and returing international students to Swinburne in 2008, Swinburne International will be hosting a Welcome Festival on Friday 22 February at the Hawthorn campus Atrium from 4pm.

Join the celebrations with food, fun, entertainment and the company of good friends. Take the opportunity to find out more about the tyupes of student services available at Swinburne, including student clubs. You will also get a chance to participate in a lucky draw to win some great prizes. All are welcome!

What's On in Melbourne?

Here are some of the events happening in and around Melbourne in the month of December:

Keep up-to-date with the latest events and student activities on the International Student Life website.