Welcome to Melbourne program

A unique alumni volunteering opportunity

Since 2009, generous alumni volunteers have offered to become friendly connections for newly arrived Australia Awards Scholarship recipients and other select groups of international students through the Welcome to Melbourne program. Alumni help these talented international students feel at home and provide them with a ‘Melbourne experience’, such as through arranging an outing at a place of interest.

It can be hard being a newcomer, but the kindness and friendship shown by each alumni host in their willingness to meet students new to the city and help them find their feet and settle into life in Melbourne has helped change students’ lives.

While the students learn from alumni, alumni also gain something from students. Volunteers learn what it’s like to come from a different cultural background and experience Melbourne for the first time, and some even make life-long friends.

Whether you’re a first-time participant wondering if this program is for you or a long-time volunteer wanting to host a student again, we encourage you to express your interest in the program.

Applications for the Semester 2, 2026 program have closed.

To register interest as a host for Semester 1, 2027, contact the Welcome to Melbourne team at Welcome-to-Melbourne@unimelb.edu.au

How does it work?

Both alumni volunteers and students can read the below steps to understand what to expect from the Welcome to Melbourne program.

  1. Complete your online application. The Alumni Relations office will then carefully match you with a suitable alumni host or student. We try to create matches based on your interests indicated in your application.
  2. At the launch of the program, you will be introduced by email, and provided a link to your connection's profile. You will also be invited to an event to launch the program. Make sure you reach out to your connection to coordinate your attendance and think about other activities you'd like to do together.
  3. Both alumni host and student should contribute a few ideas on where you might like to go. Some examples include visiting a Melbourne attraction, going to a park for a picnic, attending a sporting event, or visiting an art gallery. It will depend on your mutual interests.
  4. Alumni volunteers and students may choose to meet again after their first activity, but there is no obligation to meet more than once after the launch event.

Your commitments as a volunteer

  • Attending the in-person launch event at the beginning of the program. This is where alumni volunteers and students meet.
  • Undertaking one activity with the student you have been matched with before the end of the semester. There is no obligation to continue the connection past one activity/meeting.
  • There is no financial obligation for volunteers, however 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. We recommend clarifying beforehand with your student the expectations around payment if you are going to an activity where it is required.

Why get involved?

  • Learn more about other cultures and what it’s like to explore Melbourne as a newcomer.
  • Enrich a student’s life by connecting them into Melbourne’s community and culture.
  • The Welcome to Melbourne program can lead to lasting friendships.
  • More broadly, the program promotes connections between those living in Australia and the wider international community.

Volunteer testimonial

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

Am I eligible to apply for the program?

You can apply for the Welcome to Melbourne program if:

  • You are an Australia Awards scholar and have commenced your studies in the current semester, or
  • You are an international student in your first year and you have received an invitation to the program via your student email.

You will receive further details about the program upon application.

Why get involved?

  • Seize this opportunity to learn about Melbourne from an alum that has attended your university before you.
  • Broaden your host’s perspective by sharing your cultural background as a newcomer to Melbourne.
  • The Welcome to Melbourne program can lead to lasting friendships.
  • More broadly, the program promotes connections between those living in Australia and the wider international community.

Student testimonial

Talk to your hosts, ask them as many questions and be sure that this is a reciprocal relationship. They have the same curiosity as you; they want to know about your culture as much as you want to know about the Aussie way of life.

– Ignacio Pareja Amador, Welcome to Melbourne student

Alumni FAQs

  • 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.

  • We do recommend that hosts be based in Melbourne for the length of the program. If you have signed up for the Semester 1 program, you should be available to meet up with your student at any time during the semester. If you plan to be away for more than a month during this time, particularly for an extended period, we would recommend waiting until another time to participate.

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

  • We discourage hosts from offering or serving alcohol in case the student does not drink for religious or cultural reasons. Unless the student has explicitly stated that they do drink alcohol, we recommend that alcohol be avoided.

  • 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 try to connect you.

  • 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 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.

  • These prestigious international scholarships are funded by the Australian Government, and aim to contribute to the long term development needs of partner countries. Most students are postgraduate students, come from developing countries and many are accompanied by their families.

Student FAQs

  • Yes. Your family is more than welcome to participate in the program. Where possible we try to match you and your family with a host who also has a family, so please make sure you tell us about your family on your application form.

  • Yes. Your studies remain your priority and this program will not interfere with your studies. Activities should be undertaken when you have the time aside from your studies. Speaking openly with your host about this is very important.

  • No. It is not impolite to let your host know that you don’t have time to meet with them. However, as a courtesy you should let them know as early as possible, particularly if your host has already made arrangements (e.g. a special meal for you, organised to attend a play or a concert, etc).

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

  • While many hosts like to pay for their student’s ticket or food if they have invited them to an activity, for example to go to the football, a museum or for a coffee at a cafe, it should not be expected that they will cover the payment for you, especially after the first meeting. We recommend clarifying beforehand with your host the expectations around payment if you are going to an activity where it is required. There are many low-cost things to see and do around Melbourne. You can ask your host for ideas, or you could suggest one of the free events offered by the University.

Contact us

If alumni volunteers or students have any further questions, please contact the Alumni Relations team by email.

Send us an email

More ways to get involved

There are many ways alumni can continue to enjoy their vibrant University community beyond their studies. Learn about further opportunities to connect and grow.

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