Alumni Welcome to Melbourne
Alumni are invited to host an international AusAID scholarship student in their home for dinner and make a difference to their Melbourne experience.
Information for alumni
The University of Melbourne has a large international student body, which made up 27% of all students in 2007. In the initial stages of their student experience, these students face challenges that are unique from local Australians. They need to understand local geography, language, cultural and social norms, adjust to food and climate and come to terms with different expectations about their roles and responsibilities and their study. Getting on top of these things and feeling comfortable in their new surroundings can have an enormous impact on each student’s ability to do well in their studies and integrate and benefit from all the things Melbourne has to offer.
The Welcome to Melbourne program was established to give alumni the opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of some of our international students. The program will also bring alumni in touch with a range of students and other likeminded members of the alumni community. Very simply put, the program invites alumni to be part of a structured series of activities that include hosting a student for dinner in their home.
The program is coordinated by the Alumni Relations and International Student Services offices at the University of Melbourne. These offices pair an alumnus (and family) with an international student commencing in 2009 on an AusAID scholarship. Students mainly undertake postgraduate studies and come from developing countries around the world, including Africa, Indonesia, the Pacific and many South East Asian Countries. The matching process is based on information provided by both parties, and every attempt is made to match those with shared interests. Participating alumni will receive background information on the student as well as background brief on the country and culture they come from.
Learn more about the AusAID Scholarship Program by visiting the University’s International Student Services webpage here.
Thank you for your interest in this program. Due to an overwhelming response from our alumni community, we have reached the maximum limit for the 2009 Welcome Program.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Alumni Relations Team should you wish to participate in a future program.
Enquiries to Dallas Fisher, Alumni Relations Manager via email alumni-office@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 1028.
Read an e-news article with program ambassador, Dr Berhan Ahmed (PhD 2001) here
Read an interview with current AusAID scholarship student Dr Lumbini Roy here