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1 Country: Australia City: Melbourne, VIC Official website: Language of instruction: English Telephone number/fax: General study@rmit.edu.au THE SCHOOL 2 Courses 2 Credit System 3 THE PLACE 3 Weather 4 Attractions and Places of Interest 4 People and Culture 4 COST OF LIVING 5 Housing 5 Personal Expenses 5 Books/Supplies 5 Transportation 6 ADMISSION PROCESS 8 MORE INFORMATION 9 Visas 9 Contact Information 9

2 The School RMIT University is one of Australia s largest dual-sector universities, offering both TAFE and higher education programs. RMIT is classified among the best 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education Supplement) and belongs to the prestigious Australian Technology Network. The main campus is located in the heart Melbourne, one of the most liveable cities in the world. RMIT s unique and modern perspectives, from its architecture to study options, present students with a very cool and modern vibe. If RMIT s not afraid to be different, why should you be? Arrival Services International Services can arrange for students to be met at Melbourne International Airport and transferred to prearranged Melbourne accommodation. To request this service, students must complete the Arrival Services form. There is no fee for students who are also enrolled in a formal program (packaged offer). Once you have been cleared by customs, please look for a representative holding an RMIT sign with your name. If you cannot see this sign, please make your way to the International Arrivals Information Desk and ask the staff to contact them. If you are delayed in customs or your flight has been delayed, do not panic; simply contact Allied Chauffeured Cars ( ). Students wishing to make their own way to Melbourne s city centre can do so via the Skybus service (AUD$15.00 per adult), or a metered taxi (costing approximately AUD$40.00 to the city centre). Melbourne s International Airport is located 25 kilometres, or 30 minutes drive from the centre of Melbourne. Meet and Greet Service Upon arrival in Melbourne, RMIT University can assist students with navigating their way around Melbourne, finding accommodation and establishing bank accounts and Tax File Numbers, via the Meet and Greet service. This service is free to RMIT s international students, and is run Monday to Friday prior to semester commencement.

3 Credits and Grading Scale RMIT has adopted the internationally recognized 4-point GPA scale for the Ordinal Result Scheme: Grade Definition Key Code Mark Range Grade Point Value High Distinction HD Distinction DI Credit CR Pass PA Pass only PX Not included in the GPA calculation Fail NN Did Not Sit DNS To calculate the GPA: For each course, multiply the number of Credits Points by the GPA Result of the grade received. This gives you the Grade Points for each course. Example: Course Credit points GPA Result Grade Points xxx 12 4 (HD) 48 xxx 12 3 (D) 36 xxx 24 1 (P) 24 TOTAL GPA is calculated by dividing the total Grade Points by the Credit Points as follows: 108/48 = 2.25 GPA is therefore Courses A complete list of undergraduate courses can found on their website. The Place City: Melbourne Population: 3,744,373 (2006) Country: Australia Population: 21, 025,000 (2007)

4 Weather Melbourne's climate is notable for its changeable weather conditions. This is due in part to the city's flat topography, its situation on Port Phillip Bay, and the presence of the Dandenong Ranges to the east, a combination that creates weather systems that often circle the bay. The phrase "four seasons in one day" is part of popular culture and observed by many visitors to the city. Melbourne is colder than most other Australian capital cities in winter (which starts in June in the Southern Hemisphere). During this time, Melbourne experiences frosts and fog. During the spring, Melbourne commonly enjoys extended periods of mild weather and clear skies, with day temperatures averaging around 18 degrees Celsius. Melbourne is also known to have hot, dry summers, with maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Attractions and places of interest Australia is known for its beaches and wildlife. However, there is a more cultural side to Melbourne. For information about events in Melbourne, check out Melbourne s Guide to what s on in the city. People and Culture A person from Melbourne is referred to as a Melburnian. Today Melbourne is a diverse and multicultural city. Almost a quarter of the state s population was born overseas, and the city is home to residents from 233 countries, who speak over 180 languages and dialects and follow 116 religious faiths. As with the rest of Australia, the first European settlers in Melbourne were British and Irish. In the first half of the twentieth century, Melbourne began to receive steady trickles of Italians and Greeks. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Melbourne experienced an unprecedented influx of arrivals from Mediterranean Europe primarily Greece and Italy, but also Cyprus and Turkey. The sheer numbers of Greeks and Italians and their Greek Australian and Italian Australian children soon led to Melbourne being referred to as "the third largest Greek city in the world" or "largest Greek city out side of Greece" and "Little Italy". Melbourne's migrants tend to be better integrated than Sydney's and this is reflected in the infrequency of incidents of cross-cultural tension. Some suburbs, such as Footscray and Dandenong are particular renowned as multi-cultural melting pots. These suburbs feature large Indian, Vietnamese and also African migrant populations. Currency and Exchange Rates (August 1 st, 2007) Currency: Australian Dollars Currency Conversion 1 CAD = 1.11 AUD 1 AUD = 0.90 CAD

5 Cost of Living The standard of living is amongst the highest in the world. It is an affordable city in which to live with living costs being considerably less expensive than some other Australian cities and that of the United State of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK). Housing 1. Share and rental accommodation In share houses, each person usually has their own bedroom and shares the kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Rental costs range from AU$140 AU$220 per person per week, depending on location and facilities. Real estate agents offer a variety of rental accommodation, including houses and apartments. The average weekly rent ranges from AU$200 AU$300 for a one bedroom flat, and AU$250 AU$400 for a two bedroom flat. Additional expenses for both share and rental accommodation include: food, gas, electricity, transport and telephone calls. 2. Private student hostel accommodation There are many private hostels close to RMIT, offering a furnished bedroom, shared bathroom, living and leisure areas. Some hostels provide meals, while others provide kitchen facilities. Computer facilities may also be available. Weekly prices range from AU$220 AU$350. Extra costs may include payment of a bond. A bond is a security deposit that is held until your tenancy has finished. It will usually be refunded fully if you have no rental arrears or you have not caused any damage to the premises. 3. Student apartment complexes Student apartment complexes are fully furnished and allow students to live independently in a secure and supportive residential environment. As these complexes are very popular there is a high demand when vacancies are advertised. Utility costs are not usually included in the rental price. Rental can vary from AU$150 AU$300 per week. For further details, including costs and descriptions of temporary accommodation available, please click here Personal expenses Many personal expenses in Australia are similar to those in Canada. The cost of food will be approximately $200 to $350 per month. The cost of clothing, toiletries, and entertainment will be approximately $180 to $350 per month. Books/Supplies The cost of textbooks is typically less in Australia than it is in Canada. Estimate a cost of approximately $150 to $400 per semester. The cost of books can vary

6 considerably depending on the units chosen. An extra $150 per semester should be budgeted for items such as photocopying and course-related incidental costs. Transportation Melbourne has an extensive public transport of buses, trains and trams. All RMIT University campuses have easy access to the transport system. The city campus is close to major bus, rail and tram routes. Spending $30 AUD per week on public transit is standard. Banking Currently, the Australian banking sector is dominated by four major banks: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank and Westpac Banking Corporation. A passport and other kinds of ID will be necessary (i.e. a Student ID) to open an account. An everyday account will cover your basic needs. The bank provides you with a cash card to use at the ATMs (24hs service) and a check facility (the check account will be subject to a special government tax). If you are planning to work, you will need a bank account as most employers pay via direct deposit. Lifestyle Melbourne has a lively passion for social eating and drinking, which is reflected in the thousands of restaurants serving up gastronomic experiences from around the world. Everywhere you look you will uncover a vast array of fashionable cafes, where you can enjoy Melbourne's existential coffee culture to the fullest. Melbourne is a style-setter with some of the best shopping and nightlife in Australia. Whether you are searching for haute couture or vintage clothing, sparkling chardonnay, über-chic bars, clubs or jazz venues, Melbourne has it all. Working Students applying for a student visa for the first time will not be automatically granted permission to work in Australia. They will only be able to apply for a visa with work rights after arriving in Australia and commencing studies. The charge is A$55. Students are limited to 20 hours of work per week while they are studying. You may work full time during semester breaks. Students should not rely on income earned in Australia as jobs are difficult to find.

7 Some RMIT degree programs include a co-operative education year, work placement year or a professional skills program usually in the third year of the program. Students are usually paid a base salary or training wage by their employer. A valid Australian work rights visa will cover students undertaking these work programs. Communications Mobile phones and Internet are the dominant means of keeping in touch with people. SMS is an acceptable way of communicating within a business. It is common for places in the city to have WiFi connections. Paying for internet usage at home on a monthly basis depends not on the connection speed like it does in Canada, but rather on the bandwidth one uses. Landlines aren t as frequently used except for within businesses, and billing occurs similar to their mobile phone billing (there isn t a flat monthly charge, but a pay per usage fee). Eating Historically Australian cuisine was based on traditional British cooking brought to the country by the first settlers. This generally consisted of pies, roasted cuts of meat, grilled steak and chops, and other forms of meat generally accompanied by vegetables (the combination known colloquially as "meat and three veg"). These origins have been mostly overtaken by the growing multicultural emphasis of Australian culture over the last forty to fifty years, with Australian cuisine now influenced by a variety of Mediterranean and Asian foods originally introduced by immigrants. British traditions still persist to varying degrees including in the takeaway food sector, with pies and fish and chips remaining popular. Drinking and Smoking laws The drinking and purchasing age in Australia is 18 years old. In Australia smoking bans are determined on a state-by-state basis. In the state of Victoria, smoking is banned in train stations, bus stops and tram stops as these are public locations where second hand smoke can affect non-smokers waiting for public transport. Electricity The domestic mains power supply in Australia is 240V AC, 50Hz. Oblique flat blades with ground (inverted V)

8 Admissions Process Step 1: School/Portfolio (program advice and course selection) The first place you need to go is your School or Portfolio (please refer to the enrolment timetable for location details). Upon arrival, you will be required to collect your course selection template and timetable and use these documents to select the courses you propose undertaking in You will then need to discuss your enrolment with School staff and obtain their authorization. Once you have received approval, you need to go to the Central Enrolment Venue on your campus. Maps will be available at your School/Portfolio. Step 2: Central Enrolment Venue Please note: Your 2007 enrolment cannot be processed until you have School/Portfolio staff authorization (please refer to Step 1). At the Central Enrolment Venue, you will be given your 2007 enrolment form. You will need to check and amend as necessary, before meeting with a staff member who will: ensure you have correctly completed your enrolment form (and signed it); verify your citizenship status; check your course selection template is accurate; and provide you with a 2007 Student diary. Assuming you have no issues associated with your enrolment, your enrolment for 2007 is finished. Please note: International onshore students on a student visa must enroll for fulltime study (at RMIT this equals 48 credit points per semester). Additionally international students must not enroll in online courses. After enrolment 1. Wait for you 'Confirmation of Enrolment' to arrive in the mail. When you receive it, check all the details are correct. It will show your student number, the name of the program you are undertaking and the courses you are enrolled in. 2. Activate your student account at 3. Read the course guide for each of the courses you enrolled in at You will need to know the course code when you search. These can be found on your Confirmation of Enrolment (e.g: ISYS 2046 is the course code for Computer Foundations). 4. Timetable for each of your courses at 5. When you arrive at RMIT, take your Confirmation of Enrolment, and some form of photo identification, to your nearest HUB and have your student card made. Whilst you are there, ask if you are eligible for a Public Transport Concession card. If you are, fill out an application form. 6. Attend Academic Orientation and Welcome events.

9 7. Attend Orientation social events. Check for details. More Important Information What Ryerson Students had to say I loved it, at first it took a long time to get used to the teaching methods and differences in tasks, and assessments, but it was a whole new outlook on my academic experience, and a chance to learn from an entirely new perspective. Too many good things, I guess the drastic difference in environment, being able to go to the beach after class, and surfing on the weekends, living in a tropical environment is amazing and a great change from snow. It was useful, just to get a sense of what to expect, and they covered some of the differences and challenges to be expected. It's also great for meeting other exchange students and making friends. (on orientation session) MELBOURNE IS AMAZING! Great food, great people, layed back mentality, great fashion, RMIT is a great school. So much to do, great nightlife, awesome pubs and bars and shopping. It's my favourite city, and once I found a place to live, I wanted to move here forever! Contact Information Education Abroad Unit - RMIT International Office Education Abroad Unit RMIT International Office RMIT University GPO Box 2476V Melbourne 3001 Victoria Australia: International Services RMIT International Pty Ltd GPO Box 2303U Melbourne, VIC3001 Australia Tel: Facsimile: isu@rmit.edu.au Initial enquiries regarding education abroad programs should be directed to the Education Abroad Administrator on telephone Embassies and consulates Australian Consulate-General in Toronto, Canada Suite 1100 South Tower 175 Bloor Street, East Toronto Ontario M4W 3R8 Canada Telephone

10 Fax Australian Consulate-General in Canada website: Melbourne Honorary Consul Level 50, 101 Collins Street Melbourne, VIC 3000 Tel: (03) Fax: (03)