20/9/06 Victorian International Students Summit Follow Up in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Date: 20 September 2006
Event name: International Students Summit Follow Up Event
Venue: Gryphon Gallery Room Central Mezzanine Floor Graduate Centre University of Melbourne Corner of Swanston and Grattan Streets Parkville Victoria
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Guests: 35
Cost: Free
Sponsored by: Newcomers Network
Views on Event Registration Page: n/a
Event Description: Successful student living in Victoria
The Victorian International Students Summit Follow Up Event is being coordinated by Sue Ellson BBus AIMM MAHRI, Founder of Newcomers Network and Mr Amgad Elmahdi PhD Candidate CRCIF (Activities Officer-UMPA) IDTC, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, at The University of Melbourne.

After some general background information on the first event on 17 August, it will be run as a workshop with two 'sessions'.

Part 1 - What direction do you want to focus on in the future?
Guests sorted by what they do - ie
1. University/TAFE representatives
2. Service Providers to International Students
3. International Students
4. Government/policy maker/media

General Networking and refreshments

Part 2 - How can different sectors help achieve outcomes?
Guests sorted as a mix of groups 1/2/3/4 - ie
Group A = representatives from groups 1/2/3/4
Group B = representatives from groups 1/2/3/4
Etc

These 'alphabetical groups' could form their own 'mini network' and follow through on their own 'leads and ideas'.

This exercise will be an excellent Professional Development and Networking Forum. The aim being to meet people, discuss issues and report successes - and it is our hope that it will be a positive learning experience for all involved.

Some materials from the AFL Multicultural Program will be shared with guests during the networking break - and there will be some door prizes too. This is a 'must attend' event if you are interested in issues related to international students.

The written feedback will be collected and distributed to all guests after the event.  Anyone with an interest in this topic is welcome to attend (maximum of 85 guests).

Speakers/Facilitator:

Mr Amgad Elmahdi
2006 SBS Harmony Hero
Council Member, University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association
PhD Candidate CRCIF
IDTC, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
http://www.umpa.unimelb.edu.au/about/councilmembers.html

Amgad has eleven years experience in various aspects of hydrology and water management. After obtaining a Masters of Science in Water-Ecological Studies in Egypt, Amgad went on to study environment conservation in Greece and completed a Masters degree in Land and Water Management in Italy. In 2003, Amgad received an award from the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt, for Best Master Thesis in Water Resources Management. In August that same year he commenced his PhD on Irrigation System Management at the University of Melbourne.

In addition to his ground-breaking research, Amgad is very active in the life of the University. He is founder of CROSS CULTURAL GROUP at Melbourne Uni from diverse background, departments and faculties. This group now is running for two years and helps students to get integrated and understand other cultural particularly Australian cultural. He was elected as a postgraduate councillor for the University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association (UMPA) in 2004, and then as the Activities and Communication Officer, and was recently named the DIMIA and SBS Australian Harmony Hero of 2006 for his work promoting cross-cultural understanding and dissolving cultural barriers amongst students at the University.

Sue Ellson
Founder
Newcomers Network
http://www.newcomersnetwork.com
Event designed for: People who provide services, support, resources or information to international students studying in Victoria, Australia.  We are inviting:
. representatives from international schools, TAFEs, colleges and universities operating in Victoria (this includes country Victoria)
. student union representatives
. a small selection of international students (no more than three from the same campus)
. local, state and Australian government representatives who have responsibility for international student policy and procedures
. authors of relevant publications
. service providers to international students (like home stay associations, student accommodation providers, international student agents etc)
All Newcomers Network events welcome anyone who is interested (until the maximum number of guests have been registered).

Photos:

Event notes, summary and follow up email:

We started this event in a group circle and everyone introduced themselves and mentioned an interesting experience they have had in the past.

Sue Ellson, the Founder of Newcomers Network, briefly covered what happened at the first Victorian International Students Summit at Parliament House on 17 August 2006. 

Some of the main themes from this event were:

. the importance of intercultural training for staff, students and service providers
. the need for public transport concessions for international students (local students already receive this)
. the need for improved language and communication skills
. the confusion around democracy and the assistance available to international students

As the proposed changes to Australian Citizenship regulations were announced on 17 September 2006, Sue Ellson also mentioned her personal beliefs on the importance of not only improved English skills but the need for all new arrivals to have the necessary living skills to enjoy life in Australia.  From humanitarian refugees to skilled migrants, everyone needs to be able to shop, eat, have somewhere to live and abide by rules and regulations and even the most well educated people can have difficulty with the most basic living skills if they do not have support, training and people willing to answer their questions.

A general discussion followed and talk about how this group of people could move forward in the future and which people could take coordination roles in that process.  There appears to be a need to bring together the various stakeholders so that issues facing international students can be addressed.  It was a very passionate and interesting discussion.  One interesting point raised was how international students would need to work in Australia for one year before being able to apply for permanent residency - a reason many students cite for studying in Australia in the first place.  New South Wales has recently introduced public transport concessions to international students

Everyone was then divided into one of four groups.

. Amgad Elhmadi chaired the University/TAFE representatives group
. Dr Barb West chaired the Service Providers to International Students group
. Wesa Chau chaired the International Students group
. Sue Ellson chaired the Government/policy maker/media group

Here are the notes taken from each group.

University/TAFE representatives group

Opportunity for professional jobs for graduate students
Assimilation for students: how do we help students adjust quickly without overwhelming them?
Multicultural training for staff in direct contacts with students
The strategy for that:

Pre-departure emphasis perhaps
Language adjustment or even learning slang
Accommodation, cultural and special adjustment
Extra support by community groups or specially set up
Excursions and shopping


Service Providers to International Students group

. stats available on international students on gambling issues?
. leads to crime, prostitution, visa issues, drugs
. cultural differences emerge in every area, problem and solution, ie counselling isn't the same everywhere and many are reluctant to seek it
. lack of advocacy! The educational institutions are sometimes the problem.  Hiding things, wrong information, don't report events that would make them look bad, even at these events
. serious legal trouble - visa cancellation, can cost students many thousands of dollars. Who knew?
. how can different sectors achieve outcomes?

International Students group
2500 detentions in four years
OECD report about international study requiring a standards approach so that each course can be compared internationally as having covered certain skills/information
Costs $30 per day concession from Geelong/Ballarat to Melbourne
Regional people get more points for permanent residency
No employment in Geelong/Ballarat - $400 per month
Employment for 20 hours per week doesn't cover living costs
Social pressure, financial
Public transport is basic
No different between London and Melbourne (comparison)
Provide something with student if they want something from student
Employment facilities in regional areas
VISA - Vikram - organising housing, $700/day in backpacking
Korean
United Kingdom - proactive to help students
Cambridge University - one week orientation, expensive to go home, so lonely, lots of student activities, from America (exchange), Asia, Germany etc
Reason why they don't pay for concession - fail subjects and need to pay but don't want to tell parents
All students get the public transport concession in the United Kingdom

Government/policy maker/media group
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Government emphasis is on remaining lawful and more resources going online
If information is online, more transparent
Outreach programs to universities/orientations
Most students technology savvy
July and August is a 'mini-peak' time
Contact Centre - available in English and phone translation service
Policy takes a long time to change

City of Melbourne
Connecting vertical communities (high rise apartments) - in Southbank and East Melbourne
Induction - Crown Casino
Art Project used for community building
SmartMob - Mobile phone network to communicate by SMS - how affects life and connecting people to networks
Council's role to make community work
Include is not marginalise
Tell local government is here
Based on the city's plan - inclusive and engaging city
Connecting Multicultural Officer with settlement needs and how to respond
Working Committee is designed to support life skills, civic life, international student friendly location
Using yearly event to acknowledge presence of international students in Melbourne
Minimise the cash cow philosophy
More information to integrate into community and more involved
Welcome event attracted approximately 1500 visitors, 400 surveys were distributed and 200 completed
70 international student ambassadors
People on working committee include people from the Community Services Team, staff, students, fluid - changes frequently meets monthly

Committee for Melbourne
Higher Education Taskforce has David Pitchford and Peter Chaffey involved

Pigs Will Fly
Willing to pass information on through various networks
Yahoo has group funds that can go to not for profit ventures

Newcomers Network
Mentioned importance of receiving information from sources for distribution
Can publish content on the Newcomers Network website
Discussed who can champion these issues - responsibility of all individuals through every network
May be able to enlist support of additional people to help with campaigns - for example, Getup.org.au
Important for people to ask questions and join forces, collaborate effectively

+++++++++++
After a brief networking break over coffee, we re-convened in three separate groups focusing on the topics of Public Transport Concessions, Pre Departure Initiatives and Integration after arrival.  Guests personally chose which topic was of most interest to them.

Public Transport Concession
It is pleasing to be able to report that on the issue of Public Transport Concessions, a small group of people have decided to take this issue forward, possibly through a legal discrimination claim.

Reason why it hasn't happened:
. international students don't vote and hence not a lot of voic
. international students don't have much interest in politics - so the last protest didn't attract as many students as we have hoped
. it is a financial burden for the government
. Is it possible to do it through the Unis? - something to explore the future
. If students get concession, they're willing to buy the tickets

Approach:
. find out from NLC and see where they're at, so we don't overlap each other
. Jensen will contact lawyers from NSW and see how they did it

Pre Departure Initiatives
Formalities and ensuring students know rules, agencies, universites and registered training organisations to provide a kit
Cultural information - a packet beforehand? CD Rom or online version. Welcome packet with maps
Logistics of arrival
A universal segement and institutional specific
Clothing, food, where to shop, where to go to for help, places of worship
Most critical first off information - accommodation, transport, food, just a few, focus on CBD, links
Communication styles and channels
Culture - probably best once they are here
Who - city government, institutions join together - a separate section of sponsored links

Integration after arrival
Buddy system
How to list - manual, student friendly
Culture shock - moving to a country if very protected previously
Some people never felt discriminated against
Educating culturally - integration
Depends on the attitude of the international students
Racial versus personality issues
International Student Support Centre to be located in the City of Melbourne - a shop front providing independent/neutral help/resources - make help more visible - perhaps have an alliance with Traveller's Aid
Buddy and mentoring - prefer friendship rather than mentor.
Community volunteers act as tour guides
International student friendship program
Cambridge University calls it the Families Program where students 'marry' other students and are given three/four children
Food and cooking training
Advice - but not from other students (who may also not know what to do)
Interview volunteers, have them police checked, teach about travel and the Australian culture
Clubs to come in and share information at universities - not being approached at present
Need to gather and play sport
Asian, Chinese, Indian in local activities
International Student Week - whole week like Seniors Week
+++++++++++

Evaluation Results
We had around 35 guests on the day, 14 evaluations were completed.

Question 1 asked Why did you decide to come today?
Interested in the topic - 13 said yes 93%
Meet other professionals - 6 said yes 43%
Network - 6 said yes 43%
Other - 1 - Advise of our Customer Support Centre

Question 2 asked Did you enjoy the function overall?
Everyone said Yes - 100%

Question 3 asked What has been the best part so far?
Networking - 2
Hearing different sector perspectives
Information and new ideas to follow up
Internal affairs
The ideas and solutions
Talking to other service providers
Raising issues
Networking and discussing issues
Learning about these issues

Question 4 asked Which of the following are helpful for internationals students living in Victoria?
Fee free services - 8 said yes 57%
Student activity groups - 8 said yes 57%
Cultural training - 10 said yes 71%
Information gathering skills - 9 said yes 64%
High level English skills - 8 said yes 57%
More informal support networks - 9 said yes 64%
Universities that collaborate - 8 said yes 57%
Professional support networks - 12 said yes 86%
Other - Nil

Question 5 asked What is your 'priority' issue for international students living here?
Adjustment
Cultural training
Employment opportunities
Not convinced that the transport concessions debate is the correct focus (prove/disprove)
Help students help themselves integrate into our community, minimise cash cow feeling
Concession fare
Transport concessions
Concession travel
Access to support groups
Assisting students in need, promote awareness, International Student week in Victoria/Australia to honour their contributions, funding to uni has stagnant for a number of years.  It is the international students who funded the university on behalf of government and hence government should assist/subsidise
Loneliness
Liberation
Understanding gaming and that assistance is available

Question 6 asked Any other thoughts or suggestions?
Good forum - enjoyed it
Concession on transport a must!
A permanent body and continue these exchanges???
Employment
Keep meeting
We all need to work together
Further discussions would be beneficial

The Australian Federation of International Students is hosting free seminars and activities in the Melbourne Town Hall. 
Job Hunting 28/9/06
Health and Insurance 12/10/06
Social Soccer Game and AFIS Birthday Party 8/10/06
Please visit http://www.internationalstudents.org.au

Guest List

The guests who registered to attend are listed below.  We also had a few extra arrivals on the day including two Student Agents from India.

Sue Ellson BBus AIMM MAHRI
Founder and Director Newcomers Network
http://www.newcomersnetwork.com

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