An important issue for both international students and resident Australian students is getting better acquainted with each other. There are positive outcomes for both parties. International Students can get to know Australian culture better. Often the best way to increase proficiency in a language is to immerse oneself in it. In addition it is a very enriching experience to share one’s culture and learn about other cultures. Through this, you can expand your knowledge and gain a greater understanding and empathy – important skills for just about anything in life.

Expanding one’s friendship circle has numerous benefits for Australian and international students, with the opportunity to help each other out with study as well as socialise when you need to take a well-deserved break. Socialising with local students may also allow you to discover parts of Melbourne previously unknown to you. However, given these advantages, meeting and getting to know new people can also be quite daunting and it is not always easy to do.

This fact sheet is aimed to give you some starting points for doing just that. There are numerous avenues for meeting and socializing. Especially in the community, it is likely that you’ll meet other people of all ages, including non-student and this could certainly provide a different perspective of life in Australia.

Volunteering

Volunteering can be an ideal way to develop personal and work skills and enhance your CV. Volunteering Victoria is an organisation that places volunteers within community non-profit organisations. There is a wide range of areas in which you can gain work experience: entertainment, welfare, clerical/administrative, manual, marketing, retail, hospitality and special functions.