Study Abroad
International students
For study abroad and exchange students, once you have been offered a place to study at Deakin University, you will receive an email where you can apply to take part in the Beach Welcome Program.
Booking deadline: You must complete this online form by Friday 12 December in order to secure your place on the Orientation program. Instructions regarding meeting time and location for all campuses will be provided upon receipt of this form by email.
If you have any questions, please email lara.williams@deakin.edu.au ( +61 3 9244 5016) at the Education Abroad Office.
From pickup points in Melbourne and Geelong, we travel by bus to picturesque Lorne, located on the famous Great Ocean Road to spend 3 days making new friends, settling into Australian life and learning about the culture. Surrounded by the rising cliffs and bush of the Otway ranges, Lorne has a cosmopolitan feel, with sidewalk cafes, walking tracks, beautiful waterfalls, and great surf. From our base on the shores of Loutit Bay you will be introduced to various aspects of Australian culture, including guided hikes surfing lessons, a trip to the 12 Apostles, workshop sessions on successful integration, and information on travelling in Australia.
On Wednesday 25 February you will return by bus to your campus of study. The compulsory Orientation and formal enrolment sessions are held on campus on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 February 2009.
Coastal Victoria in February can be sunny and hot. The average maximum temperature in February is 34 degrees Celsius (95F), however nights can get cold, so bring warm clothes If we're lucky we will have lots of summer sun and balmy, in terms of packing bring clothes for both the sun and evening walks, and any activities that you are choosing to participate in. Summer clothes, hats and sunscreen, bathers, towel, a fleecy top or light jacket and hiking boots and socks for walking in the bush. A small backpack should be is enough to fit the luggage you would need.
There are no formal occasions on this trip, so casual is the key.
Students at the Melbourne Campus at Burwood have a choice of two pick-up locations and times. Students at the Geelong Waterfront Campus and Warrnambool Campus students (housed in temporary accommodation in Geelong) will be picked up at the Geelong Waterfront Campus, while students at the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds will meet up with everyone else at the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds (exact location to be advised).
Pick up for all students will be on Monday 23 February 2009.
Warrnambool Campus students
You will be housed in temporary accommodation in Geelong, supported by the international services of the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, until the start of the Beach Orientation. On Monday 14 July 2008, you will be picked up from Lorne by an International Student Adviser and taken directly back to the Warrnambool Campus. As such, you will need to bring all your luggage with you on the orientation trip.
Note: Pick-up times are subject to change.
The exact itinerary will be finalised closer to the time of the orientation trip, though you can expect a hike into a temperate rainforest, sightseeing along the Great Ocean Road, surfing lessons, and games to help you break the ice with your fellow adventurers and to get to know other students who will be studying at your campus.
In the evenings, expect to dine on Australian tucker, that is food at local restaurants in Lorne, mingle with locals at the town's watering holes while soaking up the surf coast lifestyle.
You will also have the chance to take part in some optional activities, and will be asked to select your preferences from those listed below when you complete the Beach Welcome Program Booking Form.
Optional activities
There are a range of optional activities that students can choose to participate in during the day.
These include:
