Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions International Student Programs Q) I need help finding accommodation. A) For all your accommodation questions you will need to contact Accommodation Services. Accommodation Services provides all on-Campus as well as many off-Campus residences. They will also help you to find private accommodation through a Real Estate Agent. To contact Accommodation Services phone: 5327 9480 or visit their office which is located across the walkway bridge. Office hours are 8.40am - 5pm Monday to Friday. Q) I would like to find a job. A) For all your questions regarding employment you can contact Unijobs. Unijobs is a University of Ballarat service that can help you find paid employment at the University and in the Ballarat community. You may also try looking in the Saturday edition of the local newspaper, The Courier. This newspaper lists most of the jobs that are currently available in Ballarat and surrounding areas. You can purchase this newspaper at newsagents and supermarkets. You can also read it at the University Library. Job listings in The Courier are also listed on a website. Go to www.jobsguide.com.au PLEASE NOTE: it is illegal to work in Australia unless you have a Work Visa and a Tax File Number. To obtain your Work Visa and to enquire about a Tax File Number, you can make an appointment with Joan Giles in the International office. Q) I want to get a travel concession card. A) Unfortunately, only under-graduate domestic and exchange students are able to get a travel concession card. No full-fee paying international students or any post-graduate students are allowed a concession card in the State of Victoria. This is a State Government matter, not a University of Ballarat one. Some international students have obtained concession cards in the past, but they are illegal and the card holder can incur a fine of up to $200.00 if caught. International Student Programs here at Ballarat and people at other universities in Victoria are lobbying to get this law changed so that all international students can benefit from travel concessions. Q) I need help with my studies. A) For all your questions regarding assignments, exam preparation and English expression you should speak to Talia Barrett, our International Academic Advisor. Talia can help you improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and help you to better understand the academic basics. If you wish to speak to Talia, you will need to make an appointment. To make an appointment you can phone Talia on 5327 9868 or e-mail t.barrett@ballarat.edu.au. The staff at the International Student Programs office can also make an appointment with Talia for you. Talia is available Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm. K:\International\H Ed\Student Support\Orientation Pack Templates\Frequently Asked Page 1 of 3 CRICOS Provider Number 00103D Date: Q) Subject: Do I have to tell the International Office if I change my address? A) Yes. It is a requirement of your Visa conditions that you tell International Student Programs if you change your home or e-mail address or your phone number. You will need to speak to Danielle at the front desk of the International Office. It is most important that we have your up-to-date contact details so that we can contact you in an emergency. Q) I want to buy a car. A) Buying a car is a major commitment. Not only will you have to pay for the car, but you will also have to pay registration and insurance fees, put petrol in it, get it serviced, put new tyres on it and get it fixed by a mechanic when it breaks down. All of this can cost a lot of money and time. You will need to work out carefully whether or not you can afford to run a car. You will also need to make sure that you can drive it properly. Do you know the Australian road rules? Do you have an international licence or an English translation of your licence? To find out more, you will need to speak to Vicroads, the State Government department. Visit their website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au. This website can tell you what you need to know about road rules and licences. PLEASE NOTE: It is vital that when you buy a car you GET THIRD PARTY (FIRE AND THEFT) INSURANCE. Third Party Insurance covers for any damage your car may cause to other cars or property. If you don't have this insurance, you have to pay for the repairs of the other driver's car. For example, if you run into a brand new Mercedes Benz and the repair bill is $25,000, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY IT. You will also have to pay for the towing and legal fees if there is a court case. And of course you will have to pay for the damage and towing of your own car as well. And don’t think it won’t happen to you. In the first two weeks of 2005 there were three separate accidents involving Ballarat University international students. In each case the international student was the driver and caused the accident. None of these students had insurance and all had to pay for the damage they caused. To find out about car insurance, look in the Yellow Pages of the local telephone book under Insurance – Motor Vehicle. Generally, the cheaper the car, the less reliable it will be. Some car dealers and people selling their cars may try to sell you a car that doesn’t run properly and may need to have a lot of money spent on it to keep it going. It is best to find out as much as you can about cars before you buy one, or even better, take someone with you who knows about cars. The Royal Victorian Automobile Club (RACV) can help you to buy a good car. You can visit their website at www.racv.com.au There is also a guide to car buying brochure available from the International Student Advisor’s (Kelsey’s) office. This guide is available in English and Mandarin Chinese. K:\International\H Ed\Student Support\Orientation Pack Templates\Frequently Asked Questions.doc Page 2 of 3 CRICOS Provider Number 00103D Date: Q) Subject: I am feeling very homesick. A) Some new international students may feel homesick or ‘culture shock’ in their first few weeks in Australia. Symptoms include: • Feeling sad (crying, missing home and family) • Feeling confused and frustrated (not being able to study) • Feeling alone or afraid • Feeling physically unwell (not eating, tummy pains, headaches, not being able to sleep, tired all the time). All of these feelings are quite normal and will usually pass once you have settled into your accommodation and classes, make friends and get used to the very different way Australians do things. If these feelings don’t pass, you may need to speak to someone who can help you deal with these feelings. At the University of Ballarat there are qualified Counsellors who can help you to feel better, and enjoy your time here. To speak to a Counsellor, you can make an appointment yourself at The Health Centre, or you can speak to Kelsey McDonald, the International Student Advisor. Kelsey can come with you to see the Counsellor or she can make an appointment for you. To contact Kelsey phone 5327 9340 or e-mail k.mcdonald@ballarat.edu.au or call into her office next door to International Student Programs. To make an appointment yourself, you can call at the Health Centre, which is located in the Student Centre, ground floor T building. Appointments can be made by telephoning 53279477. Normal hours of operation: • • 9.00am - 3.00pm Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 2.00pm Friday After Hours Emergency Contact: Lifeline - Telephone 131114 Ballarat Health Services/Base Hospital - Telephone 03 53204000 or 03 53203718 St John of God Hospital - Telephone 03 53202126 K:\International\H Ed\Student Support\Orientation Pack Templates\Frequently Asked Questions.doc Page 3 of 3 CRICOS Provider Number 00103D