CULTURAL AND SPORTING WELCOME !! CENTRE VICTORIA’S STATE We are delighted to welcome you to ‘Marvellous CAPITAL ’, Australia’s sporting, leisure and culture capital. This pre-arrival letter is intended to help you settle into your temporary new home! It will be complemented by a full welcome on arrival. 4 MILLION Melbourne

According to the OECD, Australia is the world’s happiest country, and The Economist 26˚ C ranks Melbourne ‘the most liveable city’ on SUMMER the planet. This hospitable, safe, metropolis is full of events and entertainment and has a population of just over four million people. Melbourne is also one of the most diverse, youthful and multicultural cities on the planet with 42% of its residents born overseas and a median age of just 16˚C 28! WINTER Positioned at the south-eastern part of mainland Australia, Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria. From the top of the tallest building in the city, the Eureka Skydeck, you can see the city stretching out along the and the Dandenong Mountain Ranges to the east. A short boat trip from the southeast of the city is Phillip Island and Phillip Island Na - ture Park is a unique wildlife reserve where kangaroos and wallabies roam free on land and fur seals and marine birds line the coast. Heading west from the city is the Great Ocean Road leading to Torquay and Bell’s Beach, one of the world’s most famous surfing beaches and home to the Rip Curl Pro World Tour surfing competition. Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with warm to hot summers, mild, balmy springs and autumns, and cool winters. The hottest summer months are from December to February and its cooler winter months are June to August. Melbourne receives less annual rainfall than other Australian cities such as Sydney or Brisbane and snow is rare. But it is a coastal city so the weather changes quickly. A visitor to the city should be prepared for four seasons to appear in one day so take an umbrella with your sunglasses and bring layers that can be worn or removed as needed.

Melbourne is a comparatively young settlement, named in 1837 after the then British Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount of Melbourne. It was defined by the Victorian gold rush and the mines that surround the town turned Melbourne in to one of the richest cities in the world by the 1850’s. This illustrious history is echoed in the beautiful Government House, grand Parliament House and distinctive yellow and green copper Flinders Street station. Flinders Street Station is the busiest suburban railway station in the Southern Hemisphere and locals have arranged to ‘meet under the clocks’ for the last hundred years.

Penguins Ahoy!

Each year millions of people come to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade, a unique event where the world’s smallest species of penguin, the aptly named Little Penguin, gather on the beaches each evening. >> Dress >>Visa

Melbourne is a relaxed city and the dress code You should also print out and bring your visa reflects this. In summer, shorts, t-shirts and documents with you as you will be asked to thongs (flip-flops) are common and in winter produce them at customs. Failure to do so jeans and jumpers are worn. In general you could leave you unable to pass through border should take cues from your placement company control. on what to wear to work. Corporate roles in the Central Business District (CBD) will probably >> Biosecurity - Pack Carefully expect you to be smartly attired in freshly ironed shirts/ blouses each day, roles in other Australia is home to a unique and fragile industries may take a more casual approach. ecosystem and in Australia biosecurity is taken But remember: as an intern you have a chance very seriously. When coming to Australia make to impress your placement company, it is easier sure to be extra vigilant that you have not bought to make smart clothes more casual than casual any food or perishable goods into the country. clothes more smart. If you are not sure what Australia has one of the world’s most stringent to wear, go in smarter, neutral clothes (a plain customs authorities and non-compliance suit) on the first day and see how it goes from with national laws will result there. Whatever you do, make sure that when in you being held at the you meet your new boss your clothes are clean airport or even deported, and smart and, most importantly, that you are if in doubt don’t bring wearing a smile. it! You can find out more information in the biosecurity area of

>> Money Matters

The local currency is the Australian Dollar, visit the site below to see a real time exchange rate between your home currency and the Australian dollar.

http://www.xe.com

Before you arrive... To avoid bank fees when withdrawing money and to reduce the risk of carrying cash, The Intern >> Insurance Group Australia program advises that Interns bring travellers cheques and/or a prepay card It is the responsibility of every intern to present such as Travelex or Fairfx as well as a credit/debit proof of full travel insurance, including personal card from home that is cheap to use abroad. liability insurance to The Intern Group at least three Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most places weeks prior to departure. Our insurance partners in the city however you should take cash to pay http://www.theinterngroup.com/insurance/ for meals when going out to eat with friends as can assist you with this. in general Australian restaurants do not like to split bills between multiple credit/debit cards. >> How much money will I need? >> Transport and Taxis

Lunch in Melbourne may cost you from AUD 10 We will make sure that there is someone to pick in some of the cheaper places but a dinner at a you up from the airport but you must let us know swanky restaurant your flight details as soon as you have them so can cost around we know when you will arrive. 50 to 100 dollars. A cup of Mel- As well as the free shuttle to and from the bourne’s famous accommodation in to the Central Business District (CBD) every weekday, a train runs from Bell Station from around AUD (a 10 min walk from the accommodation) to the 3.50 while a bot- city centre in 25 minutes and there is a regular tle of beer will tram in to the city outside the accommodation. cost around AUD 5-10 depending on where it The tram takes a little longer but passes through is bought. Look out for student discounts and cool neighborhoods on its way in to the city and connecting trams take you to the beaches of St these eateries, often Vietnamese or Italian let Kilda and Brighton. you bring your own alcohol to consume on >> Safety first eating out. Tipping is not common in As with any city, it’s important to only Melbourne but if you feel the ser- take out the cash you need with vice has been exceptional a you, be careful with how much maximum tip of 10% should you drink, and to be aware if in train stations or downtown >> Phoning Home PAY areas late at night. You are not required to carry The accommodation ATTENTION your actual passport with you includes internet (subject while you are in Melbourne but it to fair use) and Skype is the is advisable to bring photocopies easiest (and cheapest) way to of the photo page of your keep in touch with friends and passport as with you as a back up. family back home. Cheap Pay As you A student ID can be used for discounts go, (PAYG) phones can be purchased on arrival deals and The Intern Group advises that on arrival but if you choose to use a sim only deal and you leave your passport locked up securely at bring your own phone from abroad be sure to your accommodation. You may want to take a check with your home provider that your phone driving licence or another form of photo ID with is unlocked and can be used with an Australian you if you are planning on going to a nightclub or PAYG sim provider. Our team will provide you bar for an evening. with an Australian SIM in your Welcome Pack. EXPECTATIONS & PREPARATION

Your entry level Basic Plan includes a twin student room with private bed- room and same sex twins share bath- room and kitchenette. It is a small but comfortable and well-equipped base for your time in Australia.

Upgrade Options If you would like to enquire about possible upgrade options, please >> Campus Living in Melbourne. contact our team for estimated costs Your new home and availability at australia@theintern- Your Melbourne housing ofers access- group.com. bility and student-style living for your Aussie adventure. The student basic Overall, we find that the benefits of accommodation plan will provide every- living with a community of like thing you will need during your stay and minded people and your fellow enable you to live and enjoy the city with interns outweighs the expense of up- your fellow interns and other local and grade options, however we do under- international students. - gets and requirements. The location of the accommodation is in close proximity to Melbourne city Check In centre (less than 30 minutes’ walk), and Please note that if you arrive earlier close to trendy university neighbour- than 9am on the weekend of your hoods and attractions. arrival, the front reception desk may not be manned and you should con- The student housing includes a free tact the Resident Advisor on duty. Our gym, swimming pool and multiple stu- team will inform you of this number if dent common areas. required. Transport What’s Included: The accommodation is located in North Small single bedroom with same sex twin Melbourne, very close to the central Mel- share bathroom and kitchenette. bourne business district (approx.15-20 minute walk). This is a busy, safe area, popu- lar with students and close to Melbourne Located at 5-17 Flemington Road, North University, trendy Lygon Street Carlton, and Melbourne. the famous . In your welcome pack, you will receive a Other Features Include: Myki transport card for use during your pro- gram. This will also include enough travel Linen, pillow, TV, fridge, stovetop, kitchen credit for the first 30 days of your program. utensils, desk, chair, small built-in ward- After this period, you can top up credit for robe, 50GB per month basic internet. Bed transport using the same card. linen is provided, but you may bring your own if you prefer. Laundry rooms and Access to trams and trains are within walk- additional shared kitchens are available, ing distance of your accommodations and but be careful not to leave mess or per- take you directly into the Central Business sonal belongings in these communal District (CBD). Many internship oce loca- areas. tions will be located outside of the CBD as it is quite small compared to many interna- Don't forget your towel and gym gear to tional cities and many companies (especially take advantage of the swimming and those not in the financial sector) choose exercise facilities. There is also a barbecue surrounding suburbs for their operations facility for you to use. base. Please be aware that while the swimming Travel times to internships can be expected pool is heated, it is outdoor, and may be to be over 45 minutes. You can plan your chilly in the winter months from May to route to your placement company at September. https://goo.gl/h3BDQT >> Tramtastic! Myki is the ticketing system for trams, trains and buses in the city. There are a number Melbourne has the world’s largest tram network of weekly monthly and daily options for the and the tram is a great way to see the city. When Myki pass that you can review here you first arrive it is definitely worth the longer http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki ride on the tram from your accommodation in to the CBD to get the feel of the city and to Prices for single tickets are see its chic neighborhoods, boutique shopping, on a timed basis, a two trendy restaurants hour tram ticket can get and cool bars and you virtually anywhere in cofee shops on the way. the city! During the Australian open and other big sporting events free shuttle tram services operate too.

>> A City of Sport

Melbourne is one of the world’s great sporting cities with three world class The City Circle tram ofers a free service around sporting arenas, the , the points of interest all year round and is a good tip MCG and the Ethiad Stadium. It is home to if you are in the centre of town. a full Calendar of sporting events including:

Before you come to Melbourne, find out ut your Australian Open Tennis: January best option for getting to work by visiting the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix: March journey planner at: Rip Curl World Pro Surfing https://citymapper.com/company?lang=en Championships: March- April They also have a useful app you can download. MotoGP: October Spring Racing Carnival including the Melbourne Cup: Sept-November >> Cofee culture

Nothing sums up Melbourne quite like its cof- fee culture and Melburnians pride themselves on being able to make some of the world’s best cofee. There are barista academies, bean shops all around the city.

Like most chain stores and multinationals Starbucks is ignored by the connoisseurs and the independent shop is prevalent in the majority of the city. Neighbour- hoods such as Brunswick, Fitzroy and St Kilda have a cofee shop on every corner and this is the centre point for a lot of the work, chats, and meetings that make up the local lifestyle.

If you like cofee, or a rich hot chocolate, coming to Melbourne is heaven but even if you don’t, be sure to grab a tea or a soft drink in one of the many cafe’s one afternoon and spend time people watching at St Kilda or on Lygon street early in your stay. As you watch the trams roll past and people from all over the world >> G’day chatting, relaxing, doing business and English is Australia’s national language and discussing the latest is spoken everywhere. Even so there is show or sporting event some Australian slang that might catch out you can plan your new adven- a newcomer. ture and prepare to explore. Below are some idioms for you to practise.

This experience is when you know that you have truly arrived in ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ and are ready for the adventure of your international internship. G’day — Universal greeting, used anytime day or night, but never as a farewell

Arvo — Afternoon Pronounced “gud-eye”, Good as gold — Great! usually followed by Sheila — A woman “mate” (mite) Grog — Liquor, Icy pole — Good Onya — beer. BYOG is Bloody— Universal epithet Omnipresent Popsicle, lolly “bring your own Aussie— the great Australian term of approval, grog” An adjective. Used to pop sometimes ironic Australian emphasise any point or story. Hence “bloody Ute — A pickup truck Pommie or pom — beauty”(bewdy!) or “bloody Jackaroo — An English person Bloke — horrible” or even “absa- A male station hand Man, guy bloody-lutely”! Schooner — Reckon — Think, as in Tee-up — To set up “Your shout or mine? Large beer an appointment What’ ya reckon?” glass

Bottle shop — Liquor shop She’ll be right — No problem, don’t Shout — Dag — A funny person, nerd, goof, loser worry, mate To shout means to Dinkum, fair dinkum, buy the next round Dunny — The Strewth — dinky di — Genuine, (of drinks usually) toilet, W.C., or Pronounced “sta- truthful, the real thing bathroom ruth” ... general Walkabout — Aboriginal Footpath — Sidewalk Footy — exclamation of term meaning “to go on a Aussie Rules disbelief or shock wander” G’arn — Go on, you’re kidding! Tinny — Can of beer Vegemite — Sandwich spread derived The Lucky Country — from vegetable yeast extract, dark Australia, of course brown, gooey, salty. It’s what makes Aussies strong Too right — Definitely! Tucker — Food