Welcome to Melbourne program flourishes

The University of Melbourne’s 2012 Alumni Welcome to Melbourne Program has received outstanding interest, as staff and alumni host AusAID students in their new city.

This semester saw 116 staff and alumni matched with 135 international AusAID scholarship students, haling from 34 nations.



The program was established to give alumni the opportunity to make a positive difference to international students’ integration into life in Melbourne and study at the University.

Hosts simply take a student to dinner, either at home or at a Melbourne restaurant. The matching process is based on information provided by both parties and every attempt is made to match those with shared interests.



Lifetime friendships are formed through the Welcome to Melbourne Program, which has matched over 350 students with hosts since its inception in 2009. On other occasions, all students require is a contact to provide basic knowledge and advice on living and studying in Melbourne.


The 2012 Program began with a cocktail reception for hosts and students at The Ian Potter Museum of Art on Wednesday 7 March.



One of the students involved, Mr Philippe Tache, said the event had been extremely helpful in his integration to Melbourne life.


"The event was all about integration into the University and the city of Melbourne. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend the Welcome to Melbourne Program to new students."


Ms Leonie Boxtel, Director of Alumni Relations, said the event created a lively atmosphere in which hosts and students mixed freely.

"The Alumni Welcome to Melbourne Program has been incredibly successful since its inception. The cocktail party enabled hosts and students to meet in an informal and relaxed setting, which is often the beginning of many friendships."

The University's Advancement Office will be running another Welcome to Melbourne Program during the second semester.



For more information and to register as a host, please contact Ms Dallas Fisher, Alumni Relations Manager, on +61 3 8344 1028 or email her at dallasf@unimelb.edu.au