You know, whenever you start a new job in Australia, regardless of where it is, usually one of the questions you will be asked by your new workmates while you are unjamming the photocopier/brewing a coffee/finding the bathroom is “So.....what team do you barrack for?” or “What sport do you play?”
If you are in Victoria, the question probably refers to the Australian Football League, or AFL. If you are further up north, your colleague might be referring to NRL, or the rugby, or soccer. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman; your background or class; passion for sport in Australia is expected. Many other countries have sporting passion of course, but it is often restricted to one or two sports – like Canada with ice hockey, or Brazil with soccer. Not so in Australia. Here, Australians have a passion for all sports – the AFL football, cricket, soccer, rugby, tennis, surfing, horse racing, swimming, motorsport......if we can play it or watch it, we will follow it! And talk about it. Sometimes ad nauseam.
Looking back on Australia’s history, there are a few reasons why Australians have had a long lasting love affair with sports. Partly it is our convict history. When the Europeans first arrived in Australia, the lack of recreational opportunities created a hunger for sport. Coupled with a desire to create a new identity, Australians excelled at sport early on, many of which were ‘imported’ from the ‘home country’. Even before Federation in 1901, ‘Australia’ was competing internationally as a nation. Despite its relatively small population, Australia has produced world champions in many sports.
Australia’s climate also contributed here. The first white settlers found the Australian climate ideal – the sunny climate, warm seasons and tonnes of room and space for playing fields made sport an ideal way of taking a break from work and relaxing. Sport in many ways has also helped unify Australia, thereby bridging inequalities between race and gender, as well as being used as a tool to develop self-esteem both individually and for the country as a whole.
Today, sport and related physical activity remains an excellent method to experience the Australian culture, and for new sports from other countries to emerge, such as soccer and bocce for example. If you have time while studying with us here, I urge you to find the time to participate in sports in general. The local cricket, soccer, footy, indoor basketball, netball, volleyball, athletic and swimming clubs are great ways of becoming involved and meeting others with passion the same as yours. Or if you prefer, take a trip with friends to the MCG to see an AFL match. The roar of the crowd as players take the field is amazing. It’s a great opportunity to meet others, and participate in a major aspect of the Australian psyche and culture.
CQUniversity annually provides its international and domestic students with a sporting weekend – The Chancellors Cup. This year (6th – 8th August) it was held in Melbourne. This experience was made possible as part of the GLoBALL program established by Essendon Football Club, the AFL and Cricket Victoria. Participants visited the hallowed ground of the MCG to watch an Essendon/Carlton football game, then congregated at the Action Indoor Sports Centre in Maribyrnong for two days of soccer, tables tennis and cricket tournaments.
A balanced life of rest, work and play is promoted in health related circles and despite the increasing demands and pressures of work and/or study, I commend you this maxim. Ensure you maintain a healthy diet, enough rest (6-8 hours daily) and a balance between work/study with recreation/exercise. As a former Professor of Sports and Exercise Science, I can guarantee the balance will contribute to a productive, happier and longer life.
Good luck,
Ken.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
I find that when you are working hard, striving to make something the best it can be, it is always great to get a little piece of positive news, to inspire you to keep working -- to keep going, even though the goal seems large, or very far away.
Whether it is an assignment you have had a mentor look over, or something larger, like working with a team regarding a major project, it’s great to get feedback on your journey to inspire you to continue the work.
The new edition of the 2011 Good Universities Guide has just been released. For those new to Australia, or new to tertiary education in general, let me give you a brief run-down on the GUG. Each year since 1991, Hobsons Australia has published the Good Universities Guide, a document that aims to help individuals make an informed decision about undergraduate study. The guide contains independent five-star ratings and comparisons of all Australian courses and the providers that offer them. It compares universities in areas such as teaching quality, graduates starting salaries, generic skills and more.
See below for CQUni’s report card:
Categories - CQUniversity 2011 Star ratings out of 5
Entry Flexibility - 3
Teaching Quality - 3
Getting a Job - 3
Positive Graduate Outcomes - 4
Graduate Starting Salaries - 5
Generic Skills- 3
Graduate Satisfaction- 3
Indigenous Participation- 5
Access by Equity Groups- 5
International Enrolments- 4
Cultural Diversity- 5
Gender Balance- 5
Non Government Earnings- 5
As you can see, CQUniversity was awarded six 5-star ratings – more than any other public Queensland university. We are particularly pleased with the high ratings for ‘positive graduate outcomes’ and ‘starting salaries’, because these are independent, real-life indicators that we are creating genuine benefits for the students of CQUniversity as they move into life after tertiary education.
You can be proud that you are part of an institution that works so hard to offer the best possible start to your career, whether it be here, or back in your home country. Take advantage of the resources we have on offer for you. And above all, keep sight of your goals. You never know when that next little piece of inspiration will appear.
Ken.
Whether it is an assignment you have had a mentor look over, or something larger, like working with a team regarding a major project, it’s great to get feedback on your journey to inspire you to continue the work.
The new edition of the 2011 Good Universities Guide has just been released. For those new to Australia, or new to tertiary education in general, let me give you a brief run-down on the GUG. Each year since 1991, Hobsons Australia has published the Good Universities Guide, a document that aims to help individuals make an informed decision about undergraduate study. The guide contains independent five-star ratings and comparisons of all Australian courses and the providers that offer them. It compares universities in areas such as teaching quality, graduates starting salaries, generic skills and more.
See below for CQUni’s report card:
Categories - CQUniversity 2011 Star ratings out of 5
Entry Flexibility - 3
Teaching Quality - 3
Getting a Job - 3
Positive Graduate Outcomes - 4
Graduate Starting Salaries - 5
Generic Skills- 3
Graduate Satisfaction- 3
Indigenous Participation- 5
Access by Equity Groups- 5
International Enrolments- 4
Cultural Diversity- 5
Gender Balance- 5
Non Government Earnings- 5
As you can see, CQUniversity was awarded six 5-star ratings – more than any other public Queensland university. We are particularly pleased with the high ratings for ‘positive graduate outcomes’ and ‘starting salaries’, because these are independent, real-life indicators that we are creating genuine benefits for the students of CQUniversity as they move into life after tertiary education.
You can be proud that you are part of an institution that works so hard to offer the best possible start to your career, whether it be here, or back in your home country. Take advantage of the resources we have on offer for you. And above all, keep sight of your goals. You never know when that next little piece of inspiration will appear.
Ken.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Ok....so here we all are, currently in Week 5 of Term 2. I notice for many students that do not have deferred or supplementary exams, next week is a week off! Nice. I’m also sure some of you will be using this time to catch up on class work, or grab an extra shift or two at work. Maybe you will explore the city; or go on a trip with friends to see more of this fabulous country that you are now a part of.
This break in the year is an opportune time for me to bring up the issue of student safety generally, and how you can contribute to your own well being specifically.
As someone who has experienced firsthand the benefits of studying abroad, it is good to remember that although being an international student requires courage and daring, your bravery also needs to tempered with a good measure of ‘savvy and street smarts’. This is particularly true for some of our international students, new to Australia, but equally relevant for those who have lived in Australia for some time. Being aware that one may be placing oneself in high risk situations is common to all travellers to unfamiliar areas or to new countries or destinations.
Police across all states and territories have put together a new safety campaign, called “Think Before”, featuring George. George is an international student studying in Australia, and he stars in his very own animation and can speak 14 languages. (Smart guy). George also has a website: www.thinkbefore.com, mobile site: http://m.thinkbefore.com, free Apple and Android applications and he can be found on media site and public video channels such as You Tube. You can stay connected with George by joining his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/thinkbefore/110826412301397?ref=ts and following George on twitter at http://twitter.com/ThinkBeforeCom.
George raises some positive points to remember whilst travelling through the city, to and from university:
1. Whenever possible travel in groups. Risk is created by travelling alone.
2. Keep valuables such as mobile phones, laptops, wallets and purses out of sight and stay aware of your surroundings when travelling on public transport.
3. Outside of peak times and at night, travel in the front carriage of the train. Where possible, do not travel in empty carriages.
4. Check public transport timetables in advance. Avoid long waits on platforms and around public transport hubs. If you do have a long wait, stay in well-lit areas or near open shops.
5. Walk in well lit areas even if it means your trip takes a little longer.
6. Avoid short cuts through dark isolated areas.
7. If you feel threatened in any way while walking on the street, go to a shop or house with the lights on (if at night) and ask for the police to be contacted.
By all means, do not be too timid to explore your surroundings and see more of Australia! Just a little planning and forethought can make sure you have heaps of fun and enjoy new experiences, while staying safe.
This break in the year is an opportune time for me to bring up the issue of student safety generally, and how you can contribute to your own well being specifically.
As someone who has experienced firsthand the benefits of studying abroad, it is good to remember that although being an international student requires courage and daring, your bravery also needs to tempered with a good measure of ‘savvy and street smarts’. This is particularly true for some of our international students, new to Australia, but equally relevant for those who have lived in Australia for some time. Being aware that one may be placing oneself in high risk situations is common to all travellers to unfamiliar areas or to new countries or destinations.
Police across all states and territories have put together a new safety campaign, called “Think Before”, featuring George. George is an international student studying in Australia, and he stars in his very own animation and can speak 14 languages. (Smart guy). George also has a website: www.thinkbefore.com, mobile site: http://m.thinkbefore.com, free Apple and Android applications and he can be found on media site and public video channels such as You Tube. You can stay connected with George by joining his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/thinkbefore/110826412301397?ref=ts and following George on twitter at http://twitter.com/ThinkBeforeCom.
George raises some positive points to remember whilst travelling through the city, to and from university:
1. Whenever possible travel in groups. Risk is created by travelling alone.
2. Keep valuables such as mobile phones, laptops, wallets and purses out of sight and stay aware of your surroundings when travelling on public transport.
3. Outside of peak times and at night, travel in the front carriage of the train. Where possible, do not travel in empty carriages.
4. Check public transport timetables in advance. Avoid long waits on platforms and around public transport hubs. If you do have a long wait, stay in well-lit areas or near open shops.
5. Walk in well lit areas even if it means your trip takes a little longer.
6. Avoid short cuts through dark isolated areas.
7. If you feel threatened in any way while walking on the street, go to a shop or house with the lights on (if at night) and ask for the police to be contacted.
By all means, do not be too timid to explore your surroundings and see more of Australia! Just a little planning and forethought can make sure you have heaps of fun and enjoy new experiences, while staying safe.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Advice on working while studying in Australia
Working while studying! Could not be more compatible. But my visa says I can work up to 20 hours per week. True but take care. Your application for a student visa also says you have the resources to pay your course fees and living expenses while studying in Australia. So make sure that the work is for professional, cultural development reasons and experience related to your future ‘work readiness’ and where possible complimentary to your studies. Students who have to rely on working to support their studies often experience difficulties with their studies. Often the jobs are menial in nature, late at night or into the early morning therefore possibly putting you at risk and certainly distracting from your study, social and recreational experiences because you are tired and stressed.
So what do I do – Australian universities, TAFEs and reputable colleges all have careers advisors as well as student services who will prepare you for job applications, interview techniques and even genuine part-time job vacancies. CQUniversity Australia’s Training, Employment and Career Coaching program is one example of this. So like I advised in my last blog, when you arrive, seek out all the wonderful services Australian institutions offer their domestic and international students, and you will be sure to have the best study-work-social life balance possible. Enjoy!
Professor Ken Hawkins (PhD, FAIM, FAICD)
Deputy Vice Chancellor (International)
CQUniversity Australia
So what do I do – Australian universities, TAFEs and reputable colleges all have careers advisors as well as student services who will prepare you for job applications, interview techniques and even genuine part-time job vacancies. CQUniversity Australia’s Training, Employment and Career Coaching program is one example of this. So like I advised in my last blog, when you arrive, seek out all the wonderful services Australian institutions offer their domestic and international students, and you will be sure to have the best study-work-social life balance possible. Enjoy!
Professor Ken Hawkins (PhD, FAIM, FAICD)
Deputy Vice Chancellor (International)
CQUniversity Australia
Friday, July 2, 2010
Hey - I Need Some Help Where Do I Go?
Well the answer is, in our topic for this week, "support services" for international students studying in Australia.
When I was an international student I thought I was being courageous by leaving Australia and going to the USA, but I had the security of already speaking the language and living in a western country almost identical to America. So the challenges for me in hindsight were nowhere near as great as for those of you from totally different language and cultural backgrounds. I really applaud your bravery. But it is also timely, through the Australian Government's recent review of international education needs in Australia, that the "Baird Report" recommends more support for international students, improved information and stronger consumer protection and improved support for those who live and study in Australia including having somewhere to go when problems arise.
There are many agencies in the community where you will live; the college or university you choose will have special support services; specific cultural groups in each city have special services, churches, youth organisations, YMCA, YWCA local city councils and student associations; your teachers and lecturers and even other students are all potential services and support networks that will be close to you. But remember, if you need help you need to take some responsibility to seek it out. Be confident because remember you will have already demonstrated significant character and qualities as I hinted earlier in this message. By the time you leave home and arrive in Australia, you will have demonstrated independence, resilience, adaptability, courage, creativity and problem solving skills just to name a few, just by coming to another country to live and study. Congratulations!
Hey - guess what? You will have also displayed "job ready skills" that employers look for in seeking new employees. You can already demonstrate you can meet an employer's needs and if you have already graduated and/or when you do complete your studies and graduate, be positive and proud to tell the world what you have achieved. You are already on your way and most probably will use some of the many support services available for international students in Australia.
If you are still considering whether you will take the step of leaving your home country to study in Australia, or are already here, let me assure you support will be readily available to all of you - just ask! Take care and well done.
Professor Ken Hawkins (PhD, FAIM, FAICD)
Deputy Vice Chancellor (International)
CQUniversity Australia
When I was an international student I thought I was being courageous by leaving Australia and going to the USA, but I had the security of already speaking the language and living in a western country almost identical to America. So the challenges for me in hindsight were nowhere near as great as for those of you from totally different language and cultural backgrounds. I really applaud your bravery. But it is also timely, through the Australian Government's recent review of international education needs in Australia, that the "Baird Report" recommends more support for international students, improved information and stronger consumer protection and improved support for those who live and study in Australia including having somewhere to go when problems arise.
There are many agencies in the community where you will live; the college or university you choose will have special support services; specific cultural groups in each city have special services, churches, youth organisations, YMCA, YWCA local city councils and student associations; your teachers and lecturers and even other students are all potential services and support networks that will be close to you. But remember, if you need help you need to take some responsibility to seek it out. Be confident because remember you will have already demonstrated significant character and qualities as I hinted earlier in this message. By the time you leave home and arrive in Australia, you will have demonstrated independence, resilience, adaptability, courage, creativity and problem solving skills just to name a few, just by coming to another country to live and study. Congratulations!
Hey - guess what? You will have also displayed "job ready skills" that employers look for in seeking new employees. You can already demonstrate you can meet an employer's needs and if you have already graduated and/or when you do complete your studies and graduate, be positive and proud to tell the world what you have achieved. You are already on your way and most probably will use some of the many support services available for international students in Australia.
If you are still considering whether you will take the step of leaving your home country to study in Australia, or are already here, let me assure you support will be readily available to all of you - just ask! Take care and well done.
Professor Ken Hawkins (PhD, FAIM, FAICD)
Deputy Vice Chancellor (International)
CQUniversity Australia
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