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UNE welcomes new members of its international 'family'

February 14, 2006

Crew.thumb.JPGStudents arriving from overseas to begin study at The University of New England have been given a comprehensive introduction to the University – and to Armidale.

About 70 new overseas students took part in UNE’s International Orientation program last week (Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 February). They have come from many parts of the world, including China, India, Germany, Hong Kong, Bhutan, the United States, Japan, Sri Lanka, France, Indonesia, Canada, Tuvalu, and The Seychelles.

UNE’s English Language and International Services (ELIS) office organised the four-day program. Dr Vernon Crew, the Director of ELIS, launched proceedings by welcoming the students to the University.

Dr Crew urged the students to become involved in some of the wide range of cultural and sporting activities available in Armidale, to mix socially with Australians and people from other cultures, and to practise English conversation whenever possible. “You’ve got a marvellous experience ahead of you,” he said – “the experience of everything that another culture has to offer.”

He explained that International Services at UNE could help them with everything from academic matters and accommodation to visa problems and shopping. (Dr Crew is pictured here with Toshihiro Niwa, left, and Yukari Kowarada - both from Japan - at the welcome to international students.)

Harsha Karath, a postgraduate student from Bangalore in India, acted as a group leader for this year’s International Orientation program. Studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Financial Management, he has been at UNE for almost two years, and has another semester to go before completing his studies. He says his UNE experience has been “fantastic”, and has given him the chance “to interact with local people”. “At a city university I’d have been socialising mainly with other Indians,” he pointed out. “UNE has given me the Australian experience.”

“I’ve made some excellent friends here,” he continued. “With every passing day I’m liking Armidale more and more.”

Orientation activities last week included talks by UNE professors, enrolment and course advice, a visit to the UNE Postgraduate Association (UNEPA) for a welcome to postgraduate students, a session titled “Visas, Overseas Student Health Cover and You”, a tour of Armidale, and a barbecue lunch at Dumaresq Dam.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at February 14, 2006 02:21 PM