IDP Australia hosts welcome events for students
IDP offices around Australia recently hosted welcome events for
new international students, giving them an opportunity to meet
other students and become more familiar with their new cities.
Sydney students tour historic sites
IDP Sydney Student
Services Centre held a welcome function on Friday February 16,
2007. The welcome function was a half day trip to Parramatta. Ten
students attended the tour. We visited St Johns Cathedral, Old
Government House and had a ferry trip back to Circular Quay.
We started at 2pm in our Sydney office and walked as a group to
Central Station. Along the way, and on the train, the students got
to know each other and exchanged email addresses and contact
details. Everyone was very polite and friendly to one another.
From there we visited St Johns Cathedral, took some photos and
had a rest and talked about the history of the church. And off we
went to see Old Government House. It was also a lovely relaxing
place to visit, with a lot of parkland, and most students were
extremely impressed when they saw cockatoo birds.
It was a long walk back to the ferry wharf and we had some time
on our hands, so we stopped by an ice cream store and had a
treat.
Students were looking forward to the ferry ride and it was
magnificent. As we were coming into Circular Quay, students’ jaws
dropped and their eyes lit up as they saw the Harbour Bridge and
Opera House for the very first time.
At the end of the trip some students went their separate ways
but others departed together to experience Circular Quay at
night.
Perth students cruise the Swan River
On the eve of
Chinese New Year, IDP Perth Student Services Centre successfully
organised a Swan River Cruise as the welcome function for overseas
students. Although this office was recently established and the
date clashed with the orientation day of some institutions, eight
students still participated in this activity.
The students were from six different countries and they were
very excited at meeting each other. Some of them even arrived half
an hour earlier than expected. When they arrived at the office
Henry, the Student Services Manager, introduced himself and gave
students a brief introduction to IDP student services.
Then, accompanied by Steven, the students started their
three-hour tour. It changed from cloudy to shining sun when the
students boarded the ship.
Rutten, from the Netherlands, who just arrived in Perth four
days beforehand, was very happy to join the activity. He kept
taking pictures and exchanging his experiences with other students.
Putri, from Indonesia, was very glad to meet a student from her
home country and got to know another student who will enrol in the
same university with her.
Three hours passed quickly and at the end of the tour, students
exchanged contact details and expressed thanks for the organisation
of this activity.
When they were informed that there would be another function in
March, they showed great interest and said they looked forward to
joining in and meeting more friends.
Students see Melbourne from the Yarra River
A total of 23
IDP students from Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia,
Taiwan and India enjoyed the blue sky during the Yarra River
Cruise, hosted by IDP Mebourne on Friday February 16.
The students were warmly welcomed by two IDP Melbourne
counsellors, Sujin Kang and Kwanta Sooksom, as the cruise made its
way along the river along from the city to William Town. And
although they were from different countries, culture was not a
barrier for the students.
One hour into the cruise, all students enjoyed wonderful
scenery. When they arrived at William Town, the students spent time
chatting together to exchange information about which country they
were from and where they would be studying.
During the return trip, there was no sunshine at all, students
then enjoyed the fresh warm breeze, and took photos for their
memories.
IDP Australia offices will host more welcome events on Saturday
March 17.
