The Macquarie University Career Development Office (CDO) empowers current students and graduates to become self reliant, career informed and able to manage their careers lifelong. For information on CDO, please visit the following website:
When you came to Sydney as a student you probably expected to be in the minority, and that making friends would take some time. So returning home should be easy – you have your friends and family there, and you know the culture. But remember, just as you have changed, so have things at home, and the environment may not be as familiar as you expect.
Whilst in Australia, you have experienced a different lifestyle, and this will affect your expectation about how things will be when you finally return home. For instances, while in Australia, you may have experienced different levels of personal freedom, developed new relationships, and changed your views on your future employment.
When you return home you will need to once again adapt to a different culture, and you may not be aware of how your thinking, beliefs and ideas have changed. These changes can lead to a number of issues you may encounter on your return home:
You have achieved your goal of studying in another country. During that time you have had a ranges of experiences – good, bad, difficult, easy, happy and sad times. Through these challenges you have become a different and stronger person.
When you return home, you may have similar emotions to those you experienced when you first arrived in Australia. There are those things to look forward to, like catching up with family and friends, and eating a home-cooked meal. But there will also be new challenges and situations to adjust to at home. Just as your emotions in Australia fluctuated, there will be ups and downs back home too. The picture of home that you have carried in your head while in Australia may not be quite as realistic as you think! So be prepared for emotional highs and lows, excitement and disappointment, and you adjustment phase should be a lot easier.
Going home is not just about moving your body from one place to another! This exercise aims to help you move your mind as well. Complete the sentences with whatever thought first come into your mind.
Second-hand books, furniture and other goods can be sold in a number of different ways:
This is definitely the most difficult task. For most flights out of Australia, you are only allowed 20kg of luggage, although this might be higher for flights to North America. Make sure you check with the airline before you start packing! Put everything together that you are planning to take home by plane so that you can see exactly how much there is. Too much? First, pack special personal items, then necessary items, and then small gifts or souvenirs for you family and friends. Remember, excess luggage charges can be expensive so consider other options.
When you have finished your studies and you are preparing to go home, please ensure that you have completed all the tasks and activities listed below.
The Macquarie University Alumni Office is your direct and continuing contact with the University, your friends and you colleagues after graduation. In order to ensure we have your latest contact details, please fill out the Alumni Form. This will enable the Alumni Office to inform you of the range of activities organized throughout the year. Alumni services include public lectures and dinners as well as SIRIUS, the alumni magazine for Macquarie University. By ensuring the Alumni Office has you correct contact details, you will continue to receive information on Alumni functions and events.
International Alumni Associations
There are various chapters of the Macquarie University Alumni Association. If there is not one in your home country, you might consider starting a chapter!
| Hong Kong | Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Ms. Barbara Chan | Mr. Benjamin Thorpe |
| Telephone: (852)9840 8258 | Telephone: 6 012-3953352 |
| Email: Barbara.chan@ubs.com | Email:Benjamin.Thorpe@my.delarue.com |
| Australia-Sydney | Singapore |
| Mr. Lukas Frey Manager, Alumni Relations | Mr. Steven Teo |
| Telephone: 61 2 9850 7398 | Telephone: (65) 6294 3032 |
| Email: lukas.frey@reg.mq.edu.au | Email: steven@nglee-dfk.com |
| Beijing | Shanghai |
| Ms Lyn Tang | Ms Anna Gu |
| Phone: (8610) 6500 3051 | Phone: (86) 1356 4218024 |
| Email: lyn.tang@dowcorning.com |
You can obtain more information on the Macquarie Alumni Office, please go to: www.alumni.mq.edu.au or email alumni@reg.mq.edu.au.
If you are expecting important mail at your local address and will be moving soon, do not forget to have you mail redirected. Australia Post will redirect your mail to another address, including your overseas address. For mail redirecting within Australia, the cost is around $9 for one month and $22 for three months. If you want your mail redirected overseas, there will be additional costs.
Pick up an application for any Australia Post office or download one from http://www.movepost.com.au
Every semester Macquarie International and The University Counselling and Health Services (UCHS) run a series of workshops designed to prepare students returning home. These sessions cover important topics such as reverse culture shocks as well as many other related issues covered in this handbook. You will also have a chance to ask questions about obtaining Australian Permanent Residency after you complete your degree. For more information on the returning home workshop and the PR session, please contact iss@io.mq.edu.au.
In Australia, it is against the law for anyone other than a registered migration agent to give advice on immigration matters. This is an area that you need to discuss with DIMIA (Department of Immigration Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs) staff or a registered migration agent. However, here are some answers to frequently asked visa questions.
You can apply to remain in Australia for a short period of time for the purpose of attending your graduation ceremony or to holiday (if the time needed is not covered by your current student visa).
Always apply for further stay before your current visa expires.
You will need to extend your stay by making an application for a visitor visa. To be granted a further stay on a visitor visa you must have completed a formal course and have complied with the conditions of your student visa.
You must apply in person at the nearest DIMIA office. Complete form 601-Application for further stay as a visitor. Your application must be accompanied by:
Please note requirements change without notice. Please always check with DIMIA regarding visa requirements.
You may contact your nearest DIMIA office in person or by ringing 131 881 or visit the DIMIA website at www.immi.gov.au. Macquarie International is unable to give you any immigration advice not related to student visas.
For information on these events please click here.