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Friendships forged with international students

13 December 2006

Cross-cultural experiences are part of daily life for international students, but a new program is helping them tackle the truly important issues: how to discuss football scores and Australian Idol.

From joining a volunteer at an AFL grand final barbecue to making a group trek through Victorian bushland, international students are gaining a new appreciation for Australian culture through the International Student Friendship Program.

More than 60 volunteers have signed up to take part in the program since it began in July at the Clayton campus.

Participants gathered at Clayton's Cinque Lire restaurant to celebrate International Volunteer Day on 5 December.

Project manager Jennifer Weber said community volunteers and alumni were the program's biggest supporters and many had praised the new initiative for its positive effect on international students.

"It is giving these students the experience of what life is like in a multicultural community," Ms Weber said.

Funding has been secured to roll out the program to all campuses in the new year, she said.

"Many of our volunteers were international students who now have permanent residency in Australia and want to give something back to the school community."

Monash representatives have also met with community organisations such as Rotary and Rotaract to discuss how they can get involved in the program.

Ms Weber said the program provided the impetus to develop a university-wide policy on volunteering, which is currently being formulated by Academic Director Professor Rob Willis.

Volunteers received a book voucher as thanks for their efforts in providing friendship and fellowship to international students.

More information on the International Student Friendship Program is available from the Monash Community Services website.