Skip to content | Change text size
 

Volunteering has benefits for everyone

Volunteer week 14-20 May

16 May 2007

Volunteer Adeline Christie, her family and International Student Li Ke (Clark) You have become close friends through the International Student Friendship Program.

Mt Eliza residents Adeline and Bruce Christie are experiencing the benefits of volunteering their time as part of Monash University's International Student Friendship Program (ISFP).

The Christies are spending time with Li Ke (Clark) You, an international student from China studying international business and management at Monash's Peninsula campus.

Monash University accepts 17,000 students from across the world each year to study at its campuses, but it is sometimes a great challenge for international students to make the transition to the Australian culture.

More than 370 international students from a diverse range of countries study at Peninsula campus and the friendship program aims to link these students with local everyday Australians.

Already, Adeline and her family have developed a strong friendship with Clark and have supported him in discovering the local area while introducing him to gardening!

"On our first meeting after the initial introduction, Clark came to our home for lunch," Adeline explained. "We then visited the Frankston Library to get a library card and I took him to a bicycle shop so that he could get a quote to have a bike fixed."

Clark has also been able to get involved in the Christie's large garden and has helped rotary hoe the 'upper' vegie patch.

"In the next week or so Clark and I will buy vegetable seedlings including Chinese vegies to plant, and we have named the 'lower' vegie patch 'Clark's Patch'," Adeline said.

Clark agrees that the program provides a once in a lifetime experience, interacting with locals and learning about the local culture and custom.

"Adeline is a real good person to me. We spend time gardening and chatting with each other and have even studied English together. I feel like part of her family.

"My achievements since being involved in the program are great. My English has improved and I have learnt things that I can not learn in the class like kindness, hospitality and new knowledge," Clark explained.

The coordinator of the friendship program, Renee de Simone, explained that the program offers international students a look at the real Australia.

"While in Australia, international students are generally very keen to learn about the culture and experience the many opportunities on offer.

"Of all Monash's Australian campuses, Peninsula is in a unique position to provide these students with some insight into the diverse, beautiful country side and unique opportunities surrounding the campus."

Ms de Simone is looking for volunteers who must be willing to undergo police checks and an interview, so to appropriately match program participants.

For more information on how you can participate in the International Student Friendship Program, visit the website or contact Project Coordinator Renee de Simone on 9905 3186 or by e-mail on renee.simone@adm.monash.edu.au.