International Student Handbook
Total Page:16
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International Student Handbook Section 1: Welcome Section 2: Pre Arrival Section 3: Settling‐in Section 4: Studying at ALTEC Section 5: Social and Cultural Appendices How to use this Handbook The information contained within this handbook has been colour‐coded for your convenience in order of priority. Each page is colour‐tagged according to its urgency or importance. Colour Code Information “I need to know IMMEDIATELY!” “I need to know by the first week!” “I need to know BEFORE classes begin!” “I need to know by the end of WEEK 4!” “I need to know by the end of WEEK 6!” I need to go back and remind myself of this as I go through my study!” This initiative is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Section 1: Welcome 1.1 Welcome 1.1.1 A message from the CEO 1.2 Important Information & Emergency Contacts 1.2.1 ALTEC’s Main Contact Details 1.2.2 International Student Coordinator/Advisor 1.2.3 International Student 24 Hour Emergency Contact 1.2.4 Important Numbers 1.2.4a Emergency Numbers in Australia 1.2.4b Department of Immigration and Citizenship ‐ DIAC 1.2.5 Medical Services 1.2.6 Transport 1.2.6a By Bus 1.2.6b By Train 1.2.6c By Tram 1.2.6d Ticket Options 1.2.6e By Taxi 1.2.7 Public Facilities 1.2.7a Public Telephones 1.2.7b Australia Post 1.2.7c Exchanging Money 1.2.7d Traveller’s Cheques 1.2.7e Credit Cards 1.2.7f Currency 1.2.7g Tourist Refund Scheme 1.3 Application Step by Step Process Model 1.4 Things To Do 1.4.1 Before Leaving Home 1.4.2 Upon Arrival in Australia 1.1 Welcome 1.1.1 A message from the CEO Thank you for considering Australian Learning, Training and Education Centre (ALTEC) as your education and training destination in Melbourne, Australia. This prospectus provides useful information about student life in Melbourne and ALTEC courses to help you make a decision on your qualification and career choices. In the last decade, we have witnessed a rapid and progressive advancement in technology, telecommunication and global trade, creating a major shift in market and consumer behaviour, business processes and business thinking. Moreover, changes in business and industry dynamics also require an equal transformation in education and training. It becomes pertinent that new graduates and skill workers are equipped with appropriate skill sets, competencies and knowledge in their respective fields to be able to face new challenges of modern workplaces. With these concepts in mind, ALTEC has developed courses that are industry‐specific, competency based and relevant to students who are looking to start a new career in their chose field. In Australia, the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector is governed by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), offering Nationally Recognised Qualifications in a wide range of industry sectors. The institutions delivering these qualifications to International students operate under a quality assured regime of ESOS (Essential Services to Overseas Students) and AQTF (Australian Quality Training Framework). Students acquiring nationally recognised qualifications can obtain credits for all the successfully completed competencies between different educational institutes and courses, creating flexible education and career pathways. ALTEC is committed to providing a positive and resourceful learning environment to all its students to enhance their learning experience at ALTEC. ALTEC is further committed to student welfare with students as the prime focus of the operations. At ALTEC, students have access to all levels of management to express their concerns, views and suggestions. ALTEC believes in continuously improving its services in both academic and administrative areas that add value to student experience at the college. ALTEC would like to welcome you as a new student. Thanking you, Sincerely yours, Pankaj Goel 1.2 Important Information and Emergency Contacts 1.2.1 ALTEC’s Main Contact Details: Level 2, 574, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Phone: 03 9642 8115 Fax: 03 9642 1335 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.altec.vic.edu.au/ 1.2.2 International Student Coordinator/Advisor Mrs Abhilasha Goel Mobile: 0422 797 467 Email: [email protected] 1.2.3 International Student 24 Hour Emergency Contact (CEO) Mr Pankaj Goel Mobile 0412 885 251 Email: [email protected] 1.2.4 Important Telephone Numbers 1.2.4a Emergency Numbers in Australia. Ambulance 000 Police 000 Fire Brigade 000 Lifeline 131 114 Lost Property ‐ Police: (03) 9650 7077 Rape Crisis Centre: 1800‐424‐017 (free call) Centre against Sexual Assault: 1800 806 292 (free call) Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 (24 Hours) Child Protection: 13‐2111 Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 Translating & Interpreting Service 131‐450 Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 (free call) 1.2.4b Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Melbourne CBD Office Ground Floor 2 Casselden Place Melbourne VIC 3000 Postal address GPO Box 241 Melbourne VIC 3001 General facsimile: 03 9235 3300 General enquiries: 131 881 Counter hours 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday Note: If you need a visa label in your passport, the department can only offer this service from 9 am to 11am, Monday to Friday in both the Melbourne and Dandenong offices. 1.2.5 Medical Services: Medical services in Australia are rated amongst the best in the world. Visitors that come from the UK, New Zealand, Malta, Italy, Finland, Sweden and Holland are entitled to free or heavily subsidised medical treatments through Medicare Australia. We recommend that you have health insurance before coming to Australia, as medical bills can be quite expensive for the uninsured. ALTEC has an agreement with Bupa/HBA – one of the renowned health insurance providers. However students are not compelled to obtain their OSHC from them. We offer the students the convenience of obtaining the OSHC through the College. Your health and well being is very important to achieving your education goal in Australia. Having an OSHC is a must. For more details log in to Bupa’s website: http://www.overseasstudenthealth.com/?s_cid=12005s002&s_kwcid=TC|15819|bupa||S|b|6349749365 1.2.6 Transport: Melbourne has a very complex yet a well coordinated transport network. The city is divided into two zones and tickets cover all methods of transport ‐ train, tram and bus ‐ with as many changes as one wishes within the period of validity. 1.2.6a By Bus Buses operate throughout Victoria both in the country and in the metropolitan areas. A Night Rider service also operates on both Friday and Saturday nights allowing commuters to travel safely to and from the city. 1.2.6b By Train Melbourne has an extensive train service. All lines radiate from the central city. Apart from the underground city loop, stations are above ground, and are spaced at one to two kilometre intervals. Unlike tram services, which are largely confined to the inner suburbs, Melbourne’s rail network reaches out to distant suburbs. Train services on most lines arrive/depart every 10 or 20 minutes on weekdays, every 20 minutes on Saturdays, and about 30 minutes on Sundays. 1.2.6c By Tram Melbourne is a very easy city to get around, and with the streets in the Central Business District (CBD) in the form of a grid, it's easy to navigate yourself around. Melbourne is the only city in Australia which still has trams as part of its public transport system, and is an efficient way of transport within the city as well as to the inner suburbs of Melbourne. Most routes provide services towards and away from the CBD, however, in the inner eastern and southern suburbs; some routes provide convenient travel to a wide range of destinations. The brown City Circle Tram is a free service that travels around the city and links with other tram and train routes in and around Melbourne. The tram will take you past shopping malls and arcades, and major attractions such as the Old Treasury Building, Parliament House and the Princess Theatre. To catch the free City Circle Tram service, just wait at any of the specially marked stops on the route. They run in both directions every twenty minutes, from 10am to 3pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends. 1.2.6d Ticket Options Fares are based on travel between "zones". The Melbourne metropolitan network has been divided into 2 zones based on geographical regions. Depending on which zones you are travelling to and from will determine the price of your ticket. Melbourne CBD is on Zone one. The Metcard ticket and Myki Card allow you to travel on trains, trams, and buses in Melbourne, giving you convenience and saving you time. Furthermore, tickets are available for 2 hour travel, daily travel, weekly, and yearly travel, with student concessions available upon presentation of the Student PTC Concession Card. However Student Concession is not available for International Students and tickets are sold on full price for International Students. Purchasing a Concession Ticket without a Concession Card is considered fare evasion and is an offense. Penalties include heavy fines. All the Time Table Information can be checked on line on ‘metlink’. The site has a feature called ‘journey planner’. Using this feature you can enter the address where you leave from and the address of your destination and it tells you how to get and which connecting transport to take. For more details: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/ Metlink information phone line: 131 638 1.2.6e By Taxi Most taxis in Melbourne are yellow and have a large light on the roof.