GOLD COAST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK Seventh-day Adventist Schools (South Queensland) Ltd. CRICOS Provider # 02708C Contents HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK ........................................................................................................................................ 9 SECTION 1: WELCOME ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Welcome From The Principal ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Educational Philosophy .............................................................................................................................................. 13 Primary Goals of Adventist Education through Gold Coast Christian College ........................................................... 13 Important Information and Emergency Contacts: ..................................................................................................... 14 Application - Step by Step Process Model ................................................................................................................. 15 Things to Do ............................................................................................................................................................... 16 Before Leaving Home: ............................................................................................................................................ 16 Upon Arrival in Australia: ....................................................................................................................................... 16 SECTION 2: PRE-ARRIVAL ............................................................................................................................................... 18 AUSTRALIA ................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Culture and Customs .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Language ................................................................................................................................................................ 19 States and Territories ............................................................................................................................................. 19 THE GOLD COAST ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 Population .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Climate ................................................................................................................................................................... 20 GOLD COAST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ............................................................................................................................. 21 Arranging Visas........................................................................................................................................................... 22 Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) .............................................................................................. 22 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) .................................................................................................. 22 Migration Agents.................................................................................................................................................... 22 Education Agents ................................................................................................................................................... 22 Visa Conditions ........................................................................................................................................................... 22 Arranging Travel ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Documents ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 What to Bring ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Seasonal Considerations ........................................................................................................................................ 24 Clothing .................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Voltage ................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Bringing your Computer ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Mobile Phones & Laptops ...................................................................................................................................... 25 On your Flight ......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Entry into Australia ................................................................................................................................................ 25 GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT: ................................................................................................................................... 26 KEEPING IN CONTACT: ............................................................................................................................................... 26 Gold Coast Christian College / Seventh-day Adventist Schools (South Queensland) Ltd. / 7 – 9 Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek Qld 4227 / 07 5593 4571 / www.goldcoastcc.qld.edu.au / [email protected] / CRICOS Provider # 02708C ABN: 50 102 933 148 Version 31/10/2018 Page 2 of 113 ACCESSING MONEY: ................................................................................................................................................... 26 How Much to Bring ................................................................................................................................................ 26 Currency Exchange ................................................................................................................................................. 27 Electronic Transfer ................................................................................................................................................. 27 ATMs ...................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Credit Cards ............................................................................................................................................................ 27 ARRANGING ACCOMODATION .................................................................................................................................. 27 Welfare and Accommodation Policy ...................................................................................................................... 27 BRINGING MY FAMILY ................................................................................................................................................ 28 CHILD CARE ................................................................................................................................................................ 29 SCHOOLS .................................................................................................................................................................... 29 SECTION 3: SETTLING - IN .............................................................................................................................................. 31 ACCOMODATION: ...................................................................................................................................................... 32 Choosing Where To Live......................................................................................................................................... 32 SERVICES: ................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Telephones ............................................................................................................................................................. 32 Mobile/Cell Phones ................................................................................................................................................ 33 Computer & Internet Access .................................................................................................................................