The Swinburne Education Abroad Experience

Pre-departure information and free airport pickup service
Welcome Hours
Orientation
SwinMates Mentor Program
Activities
Yearbook
Farewell Ceremony

Pre-departure information and free airport pickup service

A free airport pick-up service is available for all Swinburne International Education Abroad students when they first arrive. You can use our Online Booking System to arrange this service before you arrive. You must book this service at least 3 days before you arrive, otherwise we will not be able to guarantee a place for you.

If you are arriving with family members or friends they will be required to pay on arrival. Please include your family members when you fill in the booking form.

Please refer to the Pre-Departure and Arrival section for pre-departure and arrival information.

Welcome Hours

The Education Abroad Office invites all exchange and study abroad students to attend an Education Abroad Welcome Session. Sessions will be held in the Education Abroad Office the week prior to Orientation.

‘Welcome Hours’ are a great opportunity to find out more about the Education Abroad program and meet other students who have just arrived.

Orientation (compulsory for all Education Abroad students)

Orientation is designed to provide new Education Abroad students with an introduction to the academic, social and cultural life in Australia. You'll also learn about Swinburne's facilities and services with important academic sessions and fun activities. 

Orientation week will commence on Monday 23 February and finish on Friday 27 February. More details to follow.

SwinMates - Mentor Program

SwinMates is a Mentor program, which matches Education Abroad students with current Swinburne students. SwinMates pairs two students together so that they can meet, talk, go out and share experiences and cultures. This program enables Education Abroad students to make Australian friends, learn about Melbourne and talk about their home country. The mentors can help arrange trips or activities, give advice on transport systems, local facilities, where to go for help at Uni and simply be a new friend. New Education Abroad students are automatically signed up and allocated a "SwinMate" (this is also an excellent way for students to practice and improve their English and to learn more about the Australian culture).

Education Abroad Activities 

There are also SwinMates specific activities organised throughout the year, including a Melbourne discovery tour and a trip to see an Australian football match.

Trip to see Australian Football
Going to see Australian Football or ‘Footy’, as it is affectionately called by locals, is a must for anyone visiting Australia! Experience the thrill and excitement of Australian Football at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Melbourne Discovery Tour
Scattered throughout Melbourne are secrets tucked away in narrow lanes and alleys, behind obscure doors, or at the top or bottom of staircases. Come along and discover some of Melbourne’s best kept treasures! Check out photos of the last Melbourne Discovery Tour on our Semester One 2007 Photo Album.

Yearbook

During your semester abroad you will make so many new friends you will want to keep in touch with forever. To help remind you of your exchange/study abroad experience at Swinburne, the Education Abroad Office produces an Education Abroad Yearbook. The yearbook includes photos of Education Abroad events, unique Australian locations and parties students took part in whilst studying at Swinburne during the semester. Students contribute their own photos throughout the semester. The yearbook is a great way for you to show family and friends back home what your experience at Swinburne was like. The yearbook also contains a contact section with everyone’s details so students can stay in touch after they leave Australia.

Farewell Ceremony

The Education Abroad Office hosts a Farewell Ceremony at the conclusion of each semester to farewell visiting Education Abroad students. Students are awarding a certificate for participating in a Swinburne Education Abroad Program. The evening event is a great opportunity for you to celebrate your time at Swinburne and in Australia. Australian students who are leaving Australia on Education Abroad Programs also attend the ceremony so it is a good opportunity to meet Australian students who will possibility be studying in your home country.

Check out photos of the last Farewell Ceremony on our Semester One 2007 Photo Album.