Written by Dibya Shree Chhetry
Are you looking for opportunities to improve your job prospects in your new city? Time to think about participating in the extracurricular activities that your university or education provider offer.
All Australian universities and education providers conduct extracurricular programs throughout the year. Some programs are even specifically designed for international students, and getting out in the general community is a great way to make new friends.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?
Information about extracurricular activities can be easily accessed through your education provider’s website or social media platform or at the student office. All you need to do is make the simple effort of stepping outside your academic zone.
WHAT TYPES OF EVENTS ARE INCLUDED IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?
Some popular extracurricular activities include participation in sports, entrepreneurship and mentoring schemes, leadership development programs, charity, community engagement projects, English conversation groups, student ambassador groups and student representation programs. There is really something for everyone no matter your interest or skill.
WHAT SKILLS CAN I DEVELOP THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES?
These activities provide a good opportunity not only to make new friends, and to network but also to help you develop the essential skills that make you a perfect match for the Australian job market:
- teamwork, communication, and social skills
- identification of problems and mapping solutions
- creative and critical thinking
- networking, entrepreneurship and leadership skills
- cultural competence
A great example of an innovative entrepreneurial program for international students is INTERCHANGE.
WHAT IS INTERCHANGE?
INTERCHANGE is a program run by the FRANK Team, along with 8 universities and StudyNSW.
Bringing hundreds of international students from different universities together in a common platform and providing them the opportunity to test and validate their ideas as entrepreneurs. INTERCHANGE provides knowledge, resources and training around starting your own social enterprise or business. This program also includes presentations from successful social entrepreneurs whose stories and experience are the source of real life inspiration for participants.
Collaborating with a team to develop a business idea to address some of the challenges that international students face in Australia like housing, well-being and safety, employability, culture shock and language issues.
Each team is assigned to create a 2-minute video, offering a solution for the team’s chosen issue. Teams then have the opportunity to pitch their idea to some of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Programs like INTERCHANGE can become instrumental in helping you identify your hidden talents and as well as develop essential skills. You will have fun as well as add some excellent experience to your resume.
This article was provided by The FRANK Team, a leading training organisation for young people and young professionals. To find out more about The FRANK Team, please visit their website here.
