Last week, Bond welcomed the arrival of almost 600 international students from over 20 different countries who have chosen to study this semester abroad, or are on an exchange program with a partner university.
Students from countries as diverse as Bulgaria, Bolivia, Italy, Greece, Russia, Poland, Denmark and the United States of America were welcomed to the Bond campus and community at an orientation session last Tuesday, which was as much about having fun and experiencing the Australian culture as it was about preparing for their upcoming semester of study.
The group first converged on the Cerum Theatre, where the Registrar, Academic Advisors and members of the Study Abroad team armed them with information on class attendance and participation, security, respect for the university, cultural misconceptions and opportunities to be involved with various social and sporting activities, and other hints for surviving the semester ahead.
A campus tour followed, winding up at the ever-popular Don’s Tavern, where the group was treated to some of our tastiest Aussie treats, including vegemite, ANZAC biscuits, lamingtons and a quintessential Australian sausage sizzle.
A performance by a North-Stradbroke Island Aboriginal Dance Group from Kalwun Development Corporation topped off the afternoon, with the group entertaining students with their didgeridoo performances, fire-lighting dances and other traditional movements.
Study Abroad and Exchange Manager Natalie Sanderson said this year’s event was the best yet.
“This semester has seen our biggest ever intake, and I think the students really enjoyed the event- particularly the Aboriginal dancing, as they’d never seen anything like that before,” she said.
“The growing reputation of Bond internationally and the city of the Gold Coast itself are proving our biggest drawcards.
“Students are also attracted by the smaller class sizes and the opportunity to fast-track their degree and earn money sooner,” Ms Sanderson said.
German student Sini Moosariparmbil said she chose Bond because so many of her friends had attended and she loved the lifestyle.
“Bond is very well known in Germany,” she said.
Welcome, or welcome back as the case may be, to a new semester and a new year. I would like to extend a special welcome to the new Bondies who are commencing their studies with us.
Premier Peter Beattie, The Hon. Alexander Downer MP and Mr Paul Ramsay AO are among several VIPs who will be visiting Bond University in the coming weeks. Bond University is increasingly becoming a destination for VIPs of this calibre, which is a tribute to the rising profile of the University.
Bond University is proud to have played a part in securing a $2.2 million Sustainable Regions grant for the construction of a new Clinical Education and Research Institute in the Tweed region.
Bond University Professor Steve Webb has made international headlines thanks to his role in uncovering of hundreds of human footprints dating back to about 20,000BC.
Bond University Library’s dedication to providing excellent customer service and support has earned it a place in the prestigious AUQA* Good Practice Database (AGPD) - an international database of good practices in higher education.
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