2. Exchange & Study Abroad Orientation & Welcome Function
It was really fantastic to see such a great number of exchange and Study Abroad students attend our Orientation and Welcome Function. The staff at Victoria Abroad enjoyed seeing you get together and begin to develop lasting friendships.

We would like to thank John McPartland (Manager International Programs Victoria University) for the inspiring speech and welcome he delivered to all our semester 2, 2005 students.

As usual I was delegated the task of running around snapping shots of you guys enjoying yourselves. Below is an overview of the Welcome Reception - "You know what they say every picture tells a story!"

................."We're Team Canada" ....................................."Hola - we're Team Mexico"

....................................."We're mixing it up - team International 1 & 2"

..John McPartland mixing with the students........."When in Australia do as the Aussies do"

...."Is it time for bed yet? I'm still jetlagged!.......... "Thank you, - another successfull function"

To see the full range of photos taken at the Welcome Reception visit:
Welcome Reception_2_2006

3. Photo Shoot
During Orientation the Victoria Abroad Team called on exchange and Study Abroad students to participate in a professional photo shoot. This took place last Friday 19/8/05. Some of the photos taken on this day will be used in promotional materials for Victoria Abroad (exchange & Study Abroad). Below you will find some of the photos taken on that day:

We sincerely thank all the students who participated in this photo shoot. I think it was an interesting and fun activity for you to be involved in, and I'm sure you all really enjoyed catching up with other students and posing for happy student shots. Thanks for your patience!.....being taken from location to location around Melbourne can be a drag, however you all participated in an extremely willing, fun way. The photos are fantastic! Thanks to all your very photogenic faces. Drop by and see us some time so you can view the complete set of photos.

4. VU Exchange Promotions
Last week the Victoria Abroad Unit held specific country exchange information days at our Footscray Park campus. Once again we called for assistance (we are doing this often and the response from you has been amazing - thanks!!) to promote our targeted countries: Germany, Mexico, and the UK. The promotion raised some interest amongst our VU student population and we believe your presence at the stand, answering questions and providing assistance is invaluable in these situations. So thank you very much to each of you that participated in this promotional event! We hope that in the near future you see some of the VU student faces on campus at your home university.

5. Contact Details
We are still waiting on some exchange and Study Abroad students to provide us with the following:

.......*copy of your passport and visa
.......*Melbourne address
.......*Melbourne telephone number

Some of you have given us a copy of your passport and visa, but haven't provided Melbourne contact details. You should all be settled by now, so please pass on this information promptly.

6. Important Information
.......Census Date
As you should be aware, census date is looming (31 August, 2005). If you are going to alter or withdraw from VU subjects, you need to complete and submit a Reduced / Overload Study Form by this date. I am sure that most of you have submitted these forms. Remember that a faculty representative and someone from the International Office needs to sign these forms.

.......Staff Member
As some of may be aware, Wendy has been on leave in the US visiting her family. She is expected back at work on Tuesday 30 August. During Wendy's absence Margaret and I have been assisting you with your enquires. We will be very pleased to see Wendy return!

7. Testimonials
In the last few weeks we have said goodbye to most of our semester 1, 2005 overseas exchange and Study Abroad students, and welcomed back our returned semester 1, 2005 VU exchange students.

Also, many of our semester 2, 2005 VU exchange students have reached their overseas exchange destinations.

Below is a selection of emails recently received:

I am now back in Fiji and I want to thank you for everything you did to make my stay in VUT a memorable one. - Naibuka Saune (University of the South Pacific)

"I had good times and good friends like You :) here. I will miss you very much. - Melih Aslan (Fatih University - Turkey)

I also would like to say again thank you very much for the great time at vicuni and for all your support!! Look forward to seeing you again some time! - Christian Teroerde (German Sport University)

I have had the best time in Australia and Melbourne and I'm going to miss all of it. Thank you very much for all you've done - Laury Thomas (Reims, France)

Thank you so much for everything you've done to make our exchange as nice
and easy as possible :-) it's people like you who make australia such a wonderful place to be! - Christelle Castelain (Reims, France)

VU Students

I highly recommend both Mexico and the university as an overseas exchange opportunity.
It's been a great year, thanks for making it possible! - Renee Westley - returned exchange student ´Universidad De Las Americas` (UDLA)

Just wanted to let you all know that everything is great here at UDEM, I'm having the time of my life even though it is extremely different to everything back at home, especially uni. But the students and teachers are very supporting and helpful and friendly. I'm also making heaps of friends and am loving subjects. - Melissa Gonzalez - current exchange student (UDEM)

"America is fabulous! Shane and I are having so much fun! Been going to heaps of parties and all that.The university here is so awesome! The facilities are incredible! Will have to tell you all about it." - Angela Martin & Shane Ryan - current exchange students (East Carolina University - USA)

 

8. What's Happening in Melbourne
Herald Sun Tour/Celebrate on Lygon
15/10/2005
The Jayco Herald Sun Tour is the oldest cycling stage race in Australia and the exciting final stage of the Tour will be conducted in Lyon Street. Come along to enjoy the coffee, shopping, food and of course the cycling. Celebrate On Lygon will also feature a large number of multicultural activities.

Melbourne Day Flag Raising Ceremony
30/08/2005
Join Lord Mayor John So as he raises the Melbourne Flag at Enterprize Park. Enterprize Park is on the Yarra's north bank near Melbourne Aquarium and marks the location where the first settlers landed in 1835. Free public festivities include live entertainment, morning tea and a rifle volley by the Historical Re-enactment Society.

Enterprize Open Day
30/08/2005
As part of the Melbourne Day celebrations, the replica of the Schooner Enterprize that transported the first settlers to Melbourne will be open to the public from 10am – 5pm at NewQuay, Docklands. Take advantage of a free tour of this fascinating and significant part of Melbourne’s history and learn what life was like aboard the famous Schooner.

The Melbourne Day Luncheon
30/08/2005
The Melbourne Day Luncheon presented by West End Business Association, in conjunction with Dibbs Abbott Stillman Lawyers, has long been established as the must-attend cornerstone of the Melbourne Day celebrations. The 2005 debate promises to be another highly entertaining event with celebrity speakers debating the topic, “That Melbourne was Better Then….”

The Changing Face of Victoria
30/08/2005
Celebrating Melbourne Day, this free exhibition brings together historical artifacts, photographs, drawings, maps, letters and diaries to tell the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped life in Victoria over the past 200 years. The first section of the gallery focuses on the early years of European settlement, daily life in rural Victoria, and the events and mythology surrounding that most famous Victorian, Ned Kelly.

Asian Food Festival 2005
01/09/2005 - 30/09/2005
With over 30 restaurants across Melbourne and special Festival events in the City, you can discover new dining experiences every day or night of the Festival for the month of September. You can book into many of these events to discover the delights of Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine.

Collins Street Store Front Millinery Installations
05/09/2005 - 11/09/2005
Collins Street presents Off To The Races, a wonderful Millinery installation exhibiting within the store front windows of some of Melbourne's leading retailers on Collins Street. Enjoy the creative collection of millinery designs, each depicting the essence of their partnering retailer. Enter the people's choice award for an opportunity to win a fabulous prize to complete your day at the races. On display 24 hours a day within the participating Collins Street retailers. Free - no ticket required.

Melbourne Fringe Festival
21/09/2005 - 09/10/2005
The 2005 Melbourne Fringe Festival arts up the city for 19 glorious spring days. Discover the throbbing heart of Melbourne’s arts scene in the theatres, galleries, nooks, crannies and dark alleys of the city. Uncover creativity, rebellion, excitement and artistic excellence as more than 230 events turn Melbourne into a frenzy of art. For 23 years Melbourne Fringe has known no creative boundaries and the event is an annual celebration of all art forms, for all ages. Sometimes surprising. Sometimes confronting. Always exciting!

2005 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade
23/09/2005
The city will come alive with Grand Final fever in the week leading up to the AFL Grand Final. Come and cheer the players in the traditional AFL Grand Final Parade!

9. Competitions

Exchange Competition
Do you remember the competition that was explained to you during Orientation? Well, it will be closing soon - 31 August. You can still be in the running to win 2 x Gold Class tickets to the cinema to see a movie of your choice (this is a great prize!!) All you have to do is send VU students our way to find out more about Victoria University's exchange program. Don't forget to tell them to mention your name to us. The person who sends the most VU students our way wins this great prize.. Not much time left so act now!!

 

THINKING TIME !

The Newsletter Competition
If you are the first person to reply to this question (with the correct answer) you will win a special prize. The winner name will be published in the next newsletter.

Question: .If you multiply 2 by itself a thousand times, what will you get?

Email your answer to sharon.boyd@vu.edu.au