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Culture Card Victoria

AFIS worked closely with the Committee for Melbourne to organise and promote the Culture Card Victoria program, funded by the Victorian Government. The Culture Card is the ‘key’ for international students to meet other student friends through special events, tailored towards  international students. This program is designed to maximising the student experience through encouraging international students to experience and understand better the local Australian culture. Events offered included the tour of the MCG, chance to view the European Masters art exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, the opportunity to go with a group of other international students for scuba diving and much more!

Orientation Programs at TAFEs and Private Colleges

AFIS has been delivering orientation programs at TAFEs and private colleges for a number of years and since 2009, we have further expanded the program to cover more education providers. AFIS currently delivers cultural orientation program at Australian Catholic University, Kangan Bateman TAFE, Box Hill TAFE, North Melbourne Institute of TAFE, ALTEC and William Angliss Institute. In 2010 specifically, AFIS presented at the Box Hill TAFE, Australian Catholic University and William Angliss Multicultural Days and Orientations.

Advocacy support

In 2009 and 2010, AFIS continues to provide accurate and up to date information for international students experiencing concerns, ranging from accommodation and employment rights, to education provider complaints and consumer rights.

International students information day

AFIS, in partnership with the Victorian Government, hosted the International Student Information Day 2010 Semester 1 in April and Semester 2 in August. The Semester 1 Event was held at the State Library of Victoria and attracted 260 international students whilst the Semester 2 Event was held at the Victoria University Convention Centre and was attended by over 480 international students.

 

On the day a series of free sessions and workshops were run to deliver accurate and timely information on key issues faced by international students in Victoria. Information stalls hosted by relevant government agencies (such as the Department of Immigration and Citizenship) and non-profit student service providers (such as the International Student Care Service) enabled students to engaged with professionals to receive further information on a range of issues.
Highly engaging and interactive multicultural entertainment was also organised. These included Bollywood dancing, indigenous Australian performance, hip hop dancing and a live DJ.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Justice, the Hon Marsha Thomson MP and the Director of International Education from the Victorian Government, Ewa Kuriata presented in the events. AFIS received very positive feedback from both the students and organisations who participated on the day and believe that the objective of informing students was successfully achieved.