As an International student studying in Australia there are a lot of things you need to prepare for. From studying in a new country to building relationships and learning the culture, you’ll be very busy.

One part of this process that will help you to better acclimate to the new environment and excel in your courses is to find out what services are offered to students, especially international students like yourself.

Who to Talk with

There are many people at University who may be able to help you when there is an issue. It’s best to approach them and build these lines of communication well in advance of there actually being a problem, however. To start, you should speak with your course coordinator and the department advisors.

The university website might be of use as well, but if it is not, or if the information is out of date or limited, you can speak with the faculty office directly, and for many large universities in Sydney and Melbourne, you’ll find a dedicated international student coordinator who can assist.

What Questions to Ask

When you approach the advisors or faculty in your new university, be ready with questions that will help you prepare for the term. These might include:

• What tasks are related to assessment in the course?
• What is the penalty for late work in the department or in the specific instructor’s course?
• What action is taken if you fail an exam or fail to complete a large assignment?
• How do you apply for special consideration if you are sick or need to return home due to a family emergency?
• What is considered compulsory as part of your course?

By knowing the answers to these questions, you can better understand the course, the expectations of you as a student, and what to do if you cannot meet these expectations at any time.

Finding Support and Services for These Situations

If such a situation occurs, who do you turn to? This is a very important question. For those staying with a host family, you have at least one person you can turn to in times of trouble, but for others staying alone or living with a roommate, you should take the time to research what is available for you.

For international students, there are often orientation programs specifically to introduce you to the school and the country as a whole. Additionally, you should research the Student Services available from your university. There may be a website or you can speak with an advisor or coordinator about assistance. There may be ESL assistance as well as time management, studying, and note taking skill development courses that can help you.

By tapping into the resources your school offers, ensuring you fully understand what your course coordinators and instructors expect of you, and being ready in case a problem does develop, you’ll be prepared for almost anything that might happen during your time studying in Australia. From here you get to have fun and enjoy this amazing experience in a new country!