Welcome to the Student Life Monthly News!

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.

Win a $100 Coles Group and Myer Gift Card

Swinburne International is conducting an online survey of new international students who started their studies between January and March 2008.

Your responses to this survey will help us improve our services and provide feedback to our agents to better their services to prospective students.

Students who complete the survey will go into a draw to win one of five Coles Group and Myer Gift Cards valued at $100 each. The gift card can be used at any Coles, Myer, K-Mart, Target, Bi-Lo or Officeworks store.

If you commenced your course between January and March this year, you will soon receive an email inviting you to participate in the survey. The invitation will be sent to your Swinburne student email address.

The survey should take around 30 minutes to complete.

Please be assured that 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.

DIAC on campus at Hawthorn

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be on campus at Hawthorn to process Permission to Work applications and to evidence visas on Thursday 3 and Thursday 17 April 2008.

For express service lodge your application online or, if you are lodging a hard copy application, call 131 881 to make an appointment on the day.

Fee payment reminder

Don’t forget! If you’re a continuing international student and you’ve chosen to pay your fees by instalment, you’ll need to pay the remaining 50 per cent by Tuesday 15 April 2008.

Tuition fees must be paid by the stated due date. Failure to do so may result in:

• The cancellation of your enrolment. All enrolment terminations at Swinburne will be reported as required by Australian Government legislation. This could lead to the cancellation of your student visa.
• Your details being forwarded to a debt collection agency. You will be required to pay any associated cost of collection and your credit rating in Australia may be affected.
  

OSHC – are you covered?

Have you ordered your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) membership card? If not, order it online today.

Your OSHC membership number is your Swinburne student number followed by SUT (e.g. 1234567SUT).

As an international student, it is a condition of your student visa that you have OSHC for the entire duration of your stay in Australia.

OSHC gives you access to medical and hospital services and ensures you are covered for any accidents or illness.

Brush up on your language and academic skills with LAS

Having trouble with grammar? Want some tips on how to write a winning essay? Perhaps you'd like to practise your English in a relaxed environment with other students?

Language and Academic Services (LAS) offers individual and small group consultations, informal conversation groups and workshops for international students.

Upcoming workshops include:

• Learning the lingo – understanding Aussie English (Hawthorn)
• Writing effective paragraphs – linking ideas within and between (Hawthorn)
• How to work successfully in a group (Lilydale)

Visit the LAS website for a full timetable of workshops running this semester.

Puff your way through the Dandenongs

Take a trip through the Dandenongs and experience Victoria's beloved Puffing Billy steam train – it's almost like taking a ride on a real-life Thomas the Tank Engine!

The trip is scheduled for Saturday 12 April. It costs $70, which includes coach transport, guidance, fare for Puffing Billy and entry to the William Ricketts Sanctuary and Burrinja cultural centre. Book now!

We organise heaps of different activities throughout the semester, so check out our website or pick up a flyer at the Swinburne International office on your campus.

Get SUSS with the Swinburne University Snow Squad

Do you like to ski or snowboard? Perhaps you've always wanted to but never been game? Give it a go with the Swinburne University Snow Squad (SUSS)!

SUSS organises fully-catered ski and snowboarding trips, including transport, accommodation, lift tickets and lessons – all for a fraction of the cost it would normally be for you and your friends to go to the snow.

Membership is only $35 – join SUSS now!

Out on the water with SUWW

Swinburne University Waterski and Wakeboarders (SUWW) is gearing up for a top start to 2008 and you don't even need to know how to ski or wakeboard to join in the fun!

A beginners camp will be held on 4-6 April at Hazelwood Pondage. The camp costs $120, which includes free annual membership to SUWW (normally valued at $40).

SUWW organises heaps of other activities throughout the year. Give Shannyn Cain a call on 0439 474 368 or check out the SUWW website to find out more.

Discover Sultanate of Oman – the essence of Arabia

The Omani Students' Society of Victoria (OSSV) is hosting Melbourne's first Omani exhibition at Federation Square on Saturday 19 April from 11.00 am – 5.00 pm.

Admission is free and the exhibition includes costumes, jewellery, pottery, crafts, children's performances and a traditional Omani band.

Check out the OSSV website for more information.

Ask George – Top 10 questions for April

By george, he's done it again! Here are the Top 10 Ask George questions for April.

For the answers to these, and many more questions, visit My.Swinburne.

What's On in Melbourne?

Looking for some fun in the city? Check out what’s happening in and around Melbourne throughout April and beyond.

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