1. VU Exchange Fair Report
The first VU Exchange Fair was held on 21 April, 2005. The fair was everything we hoped it would be and more!

This event was extremely well supported by all current exchange and Study Abroad students. Your response was overwhelming and we were very pleased and proud to have so many of you in attendance. You all did a great job in promoting your country and your university as a destination for VU students to go on exchange.

We are preparing Participation Certificates for all participating students. These will be handed out at our upcoming function on 17 May - go to Funny Photo Scavenger Hunt for more details.

Victoria University also hosted the Exchange Fair Cocktail Party on the 21 April (the night before our Exchange Fair Day). This evening was a huge success. The venue was level 13 of the Flinders Street campus which provides a balcony with a wonderful view of the Yarra River and Southbank. Those present were even privileged to witness a scene of Nicholas Cage's new movie being filmed.

Following are a few comments from people who attended the Study Fair:

"Thank you so much for inviting me to VU--my time there was valuable and gave me even more reasons to encourage our students to study there. Thanks again for everything, visiting VU was a great ending to my Australian tour!" - Penny Shouten Study Abroad Recruitment Coordinator SUNY - New Paltz, USA

"I would like to thank you and all your staff for the fair at VUT. The week in Melbourne was excellent" - Raphael Benoist Socrates Coordinator and Academic Advisor at the International Center - Université de Technologie de Troyes, France

"Thank you very much for putting together such a well organised event - both the cocktail party and the exchange fair" - Klaus Gebel German Sport University

"I thought that it was a great initiative; and it presented well. Events such as the Exchange Fair will increase students' awareness, knowledge and enthusiasm; and also involve international students and staff in the life and work of VU. Great effort" - Rose Mulraney Senior Lecturer School of Education Faculty of Human Development VU

"A great event to showcase our faculty exchanges. We look forward to participating in the Exchange Fair in 2006" - Herta Derrij International officer Faculty of Business and Law, VU

"Congratulations to you and your team on a job well done" - John McCallum DVC - Education Programs, VU

'I hope we will be together at another Exchange Fair as soon as possible. You have made very good job at that fair" - Melih Aslan Exchange Student Fatih University, Turkey - Thank you Melih and Ahmet for your assistance during the fair and your early attendance at the fair to help set up. Your table generated much interest and we will hopefully send some of these students to Fatih University - The Education Abroad Team

The Inaugural Australian Exchange Fair was such a success that there are plans in the works for another Exchange Fair Circuit in March/April 2006. We look forward to being host to many more of our exchange partners at this future event!

2. Pre-Departure Sessions
The VU Education Abroad Unit are working together with other Melbourne Universities and offering Pre-Departure Sessions to their outgoing students. The first Pre-Departure Sessions were held last week on Wednesday 4 May. Sessions were offered on the USA, Canada, France, and the UK. It is anticipated that countries such as Germany, Mexico and countries from Scandinavia covered for the session later in the year.

Any present incoming exchange and Study Abroad student who is going to be studying at VU during semester 2, 2005 is encouraged to come forward and volunteer assistance at these sessions. Our students gain so much from the knowledge you have of your country and university. Please let us know if would like to participate next semester sharon.boyd@vu.edu.au

The Education Abroad Unit will be holding a Pre-Departure Session to all VU students going on exchange during semester 2, 2005. If you would like to volunteer to answer questions we would be grateful for your assistance. We are specifically interested in students from the USA, Canada, Germany or Mexico (most of our students are heading out to these countries). Please let me know if you are able to help out at this event. It is anticipated that this session will be held early June preceding our end of semester function (read Farewell Function for more details).

3. Funny Photo Scavenger Hunt

Nearly all of you have a digital camera!! We are inviting you to have fun with a digital camera and enter a great contest. We have attached a document stating 20 different photographs we would like you to take:

List of Photographs (click on link to download list)

Now, this contest should be lots of fun! You can register as a single entry or you can combine with up to four other students to make up a team - the choice is yours!

Forward to registration form to sharon.boyd@vu.edu.au

Once you have forwarded your form you can begin hunting around for your photos.

Registration Form (click on link to download registration form)

You have until 6.00pm Wednesday 18 May to take all the photos. We will meet up at the Cityscape Restaurant at Footscray Park campus to view your photos and judge your photos. Please read the judging criteria (top of the page on the photo list) to help you plan on how to take your photos to ensure that you have a great chance of winning!

Drinks and snacks will be provided on the evening.

Please make sure that you bring along your digital camera - we will view your photos on a television screen. Prizes will be distributed on the night.

We will also be distributing the "Participation Certificates" to students who helped out during the Victoria University Exchange Fair.

Please contact me if you If you do not have a digital camera and you would like to take part, or if you have a camera and need more members on your team.

This is a great opportunity for all our exchange and Study Abroad students from semester 1, 2005 to catch up and have a fun social evening together.

Please spread the word about this event.....it should be lots of fun......don't disappoint us! Register now!!!