Make a positive difference in the life of an international student - be part of UWA’s commitment to transformative learning experiences by hosting a student for dinner.
The Ausaid program connects UWA alumni to our newest international students, helping them find their feet in a foreign land. Australia Awards scholarship students face considerable challenges, not the least of which is making sense of Australian culture and life. They must adjust to changes in geography, language, climate and food, while finding their place in the UWA community.
Through Ausaid Connect, students who hail from Africa, Asia and the Pacific receive the priceless gift of relaxing, quality time with a local family. Jointly run by the Development and Alumni Relations office and the International Centre at UWA, Ausaid Connect gives alumni an opportunity to experience the thrill of helping a student, a little lost and far from home. It’s as easy as making dinner and as profound as creating a sense of belonging.
Now in its fourth phase, Ausaid Connect has received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Testimonials
Ausaid Connect went beyond the academic student experience, and really helped me learn about culture. The program provided a window to a different perspective and my host welcomed me into the Australian way of life. I have made a very good friend. I’ve never before had the experience of meeting people from a different culture in their own home. The alumnus volunteer was from the same environmental field as me, so it was a perfect match in many ways. He opened networking doors for me and, through him, I have met people of similar interests with whom I can share ideas. I will be able to apply the knowledge I gained through my host in my home country. I feel that I was in the right place and in the right hands to meet just the right person. I loved it. I am still in touch with my host often by email.
James Maina (Australia Awards scholarship student)
Ausaid Connect provided a way for my family to represent Australia to important citizens in other countries. We value their interest in studying here and hope it is useful to them. I have had good feedback from my student as I have tried to assist him in getting a Master’s project underway and hope to see the fruits of my efforts in the future. As alumni we have potential roles as student mentors to provide emotional support in some way and to take their side in issues should they want to. So far I've gained more knowledge about Africa than I would have had otherwise and can positively recommend the program to others.
Warwick Boardman (Ausaid Connect host and UWA Alumnus)
If you’d like to welcome an Australia Awards student, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Josh van Kampen to find out more.
Further Information
AusAID-Connect-2015-Information-sheet