International Department

DIANE KELLY:
    For those of you I haven’t met, my name is Diane Kelly, the International Admissions Officer at Central University.
    Today, I’m here to explain some of the student support services which you might like to access during your courses. The first thing I’d like to make clear is that you are all entitled to this help-all you need to do is ask for it. You have full access to all of the regular university facilities here and additional services set up exclusively for international students.
    These services are grouped under four main areas of responsibility-academic support, librarian services, administrative services and those provided by the Student Union.
    The staff in Academic Support Services is qualified to assist you in course selection, content description and explanation of assessment criteria for individual subjects. We also have an International Student Advisor who is there to help students from non-English-speaking backgrounds. All of you have achieved the English requirements for entry to your particular courses but it is possible at some stage, that you will need language support. The International Student Advisor is there for that purpose. Be warned though-he is very busy at the end of semesters and he won’t write your assignments for you!
    If you need assistance with general study skills, the International Student Advisor will probably direct you to our library services staff. Library Services is made up of three departments-Research and Resource; Study Skills and the Student IT Department. The Study Skills Department is very active in promoting small learning and study groups. They will gladly help you to join one of these groups by matching your needs with other students.
    After you get your student cards, the Student IT Department will arrange your email access and passwords for the university computers. You do need to have your student card first, so don’t go there without it. Student cards are issued by Administration Officers in the Administration Student Services area.
    A lot of you are in homestay at present, but if you want to move into more independent-style accommodation, see the Housing Officer at the Administration Building. Don’t be too optimistic though-good, cheap accommodation close to the university is in high demand! It can be found but we advise you to see the Accommodation Officer early!
    We also have a Student Employment Officer and of course the Homestay Officer, whom you would have met already.
    The University Bookshop and most importantly, our International Department is in the Administration Building-so make sure that you come and see us if you have any questions about your passports or visas.
    The Student Union is also very active and provides some great services. For example, if you have any personal or financial problems while you’re here, the student union offers a Student Counselling Service. You will need to make appointments to see a counsellor. If you feel that you are not being treated fairly by another student or lecturer or university staff member, you might like to access the Equal Opportunity Service offered by them. They also run various social and sporting clubs and activity programs which I’d encourage you to sign up for.