International Friendship Program launched at USQ Springfield
International students at USQ's Springfield Campus are being introduced to members of the local community through an innovative cultural exchange program.
The International Friendship Program (IFP) is designed to help international students adjust to the Australian lifestyle, while giving community members a taste of a different culture.
USQ Springfield Bachelor of Business student, Iain Puxty, has lived overseas and was quick to sign up to the program.
'I've travelled overseas and I know what it's like to be homesick and feel isolated and not know who your real friends are, so I think the program is great in that way,' Iain said.
'I lived in Southeast Asia for a while and the people I made friends with were the staff at the hotel and the restaurants - the people who I saw on a daily basis, and it took a while before I moved out and made friends in other circles.
'Many of the international students are probably afraid of getting taken advantage of and this is a great way to show them that most Australian people are more than happy to help. It also gives them someone they can talk to if they need to, who they know they can trust.
'By being involved in the program it also helps me keep my attachment to travelling, but not only that it will also help me when I travel again.
'I ended up getting paired with a guy from India and one from Burma. I haven't been to those places, but they are countries I would like to visit. It gives me an opportunity to learn about those cultures.'
Program Coordinator and Campus Counsellor, Laura Chandler, held a barbeque followed by a game of soccer recently to introduce the international students to their community friends.
'There were about 20 people who attended the BBQ, including international students, community members and some domestic students,' Laura said.
'One international student brought her husband and another brought a friend who is an international student at another institution.
'The day went really well. Everyone got along. There was lots of talking and lots of laughing and some people who had never played soccer before joined in the game, so it was really good.
'The BBQ provided an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other and make plans for future contact.'
The pairs have all committed to meeting together at least three more times before the end of the program which concludes in late January.
The Program will also run again in Semester 1, 2007. Any members of the community or families who are interested in becoming involved in the program can contact Laura on 07 3470 4287 or studentservicesspringfield@usq.edu.au
Media Contact: Fiona Taylor, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or +61 423 808 46