Deakin International Twilight Picnic a hit in Warrnambool

The event, held on Wednesday 20 March, welcomed international students and families to the region as part of an initiative to showcase the services available to international students during their time in Warrnambool.

Deakin Warrnambool international student advisor Zita Tattersall said the event was also an opportunity to unveil the new Warrnambool City International Student Guide, which will be made available for all of Deakin’s Warrnambool-based international students. Other key stakeholders for the project included Warrnambool City Council and Woodford Primary School. ‘We want international students to have a positive, inclusive and enriching experience during their stay in Warrnambool,’ Ms Tattersall said. ‘The Warrnambool City International Student Guide is a best practice guide to ensure students are prepared, welcomed and supported during their arrival to south-west Victoria. The guide provides a resource for accommodation options, employment and academic study information and reflects the needs of international students who have chosen to live in regional Victoria.’

The Deakin International Twilight Picnic was partly funded by the Victorian Government through a Study Melbourne grant, allowing for the inclusion of international students studying at South West TAFE, as well as other primary and secondary international students in the region and other international community members. ‘The Study Melbourne grant has enabled us to deliver a diverse range of activities that will welcome and support the wellbeing of the increasing number of international students choosing to study in the Warrnambool region,’ Ms Tattersall said.

The Deakin International Twilight Picnic was part of Deakin’s Dragon Festival, a celebration of cultural diversity held from 19 to 21 March 2019 with twilight events at the University’s Warrnambool, Geelong Waurn Ponds and Melbourne Burwood campuses.