Host Information

The Welcome to Melbourne program is an opportunity for alumni to volunteer their time to meet with an Australia Awards scholar who is new to Melbourne. The aim is to make them feel welcome, introduce them to our city and help them create local connections.

In exchange, you will be able to learn something about them, their home country and their culture, and we encourage you to do your own reading to learn more about your student’s cultural background.

I think I have gained much more from these experiences with the international students than I ever expected. I have learned about their lives and their countries, about their religions, their professional lives and their food! I have enjoyed their company and seen how hard they work to do well in their studies. It has been, and continues to be, a privilege to be involved as a host.

​– Robyn Campbell, host

IMAGE GALLERY FROM PAST EVENTS

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where will I meet my student?

    You will meet your student at the launch event held at the beginning of the semester. After you meet you can both decide whether you’d like to meet again, how often and where. There is no obligation for you to meet more than once after the launch event.

  • How is my student selected?

    We try to match hosts and students by looking at the interests you have indicated on your registration forms. However, as this is a cultural exchange, we encourage you to explore cultural differences as well as what you might have in common.

  • Can my family join the program as well?

    Yes, your family is more than welcome to participate in the program, so please make sure you tell us about your family when you volunteer.

  • Do I need to be in Melbourne for the entire duration of the program?

    We do recommend that hosts be based in Melbourne for the length of the program e.g. if you have signed up for the semester one program then you should be available to meet up with your student at any time between February and May. If you plan to be away for more than a month during this time, particularly at the start of the program, we would recommend waiting until another time to participate.

  • Can I be assigned more than one student?

    Yes. Please let us know if you are willing to meet with more than one student.

  • Now that I have completed my application, what happens next?

    The Alumni Relations office will review your application and will carefully match you with a suitable student. You will then be introduced via email prior to the launch event. It is important that you let your student know if you are unable to attend the launch event, so that you can arrange an alternative meeting.

  • What can I do with my student?

    There are many activities you can undertake with your student, for example sharing a meal at your home, going to a park for a picnic or a sporting event, visiting an art gallery, museum, etc. It will depend on your interests and those of your student.

  • Is it ok to serve my student alcohol?

    We discourage hosts from offering or serving alcohol during the initial meeting, in case the student does not drink for religious or cultural reasons. We will make every effort to identify the student’s dietary requirements in advance, however unless the student has explicitly stated that they do drink alcohol, we recommend that alcohol be avoided.

  • What if I am having difficulties connecting with my student?

    As the program commences early in the semester, the students are relatively busy with their studies and settling into the University, so it can be challenging for them while they adjust. The Welcome to Melbourne program aims to support this process and we have found in the past that some students require more support than others. Do let us know if you have difficulties connecting with your student after the launch event and we will endeavour to assist in putting you in touch.

  • Does the program provide an opportunity for all participants to meet as a group?

    There are no formal group activities organised after the launch event, but if you and your student would like to start a group activity you may exchange contact details with other people at the launch event.

  • The activity my student and I are doing requires payment. What are the financial expectations in the Welcome to Melbourne Program?

    While many hosts like to pay for their student’s ticket or food if they have invited them to an activity such as the football, a museum or for a coffee at a cafe it should not be expected or required, especially after the first meeting. We recommend clarifying beforehand with your student the expectations around payment if you are going to an activity where it is required.

  • My student is experiencing personal, financial or study related problems. How can I help?

    The Australia Awards Scholarship students have a dedicated support team at the University who are their first point of contact for any issues they are having whether they are study related or personal. The team will be able to assist the student or refer them to the appropriate service at the University. We encourage you to direct your student to approach them for assistance. If your student is not part of the Australia Awards Scholarship group, they can access extensive support services at the University. The University of Melbourne offers one of the most comprehensive student support networks in Australia. For more information, visit the Service Finder website.