Overseas Student Services (OSS)

Hi, G'day, Bonjour, Ni hao, Guten tag, Ciao, Apa khabar, Kohomada, Assallamualaikum to Everyone!

Firstly, let me welcome you to the world of Overseas Student Services (OSS)!!.  My name is Didier Tshilombo and I am the OSS director for Peninsula campus for 2009.  However, before I get to the fun stuff, let me tell you a little about what OSS does.

We are an elected student body operating as an arm of the Student Union, which exists to serve and represent the international students in relation to academic, campus life and living abroad at Peninsula campus. OSS provides support for international students, as well as facilitates the cultural exchange between international students and local students through fun and informational activities. 

We are here to develop and implement programs that address the educational, social, welfare, cultural and leisure and entertainment needs of YOU, as international students.  Together with the Student Union, International Student Support Unit and other university international student support agencies we work to provide and cater for international students to enhance your university experience.

OSS for 2009 plans to have more events and activities for YOU!!!

The OSS lounge is open throughout the week. We provide free coffee and tea as well as the use of the fridge and microwave.  We also have board games and cards games available for your usage.  If you come and visit us, you will always be greeted with a friendly face and a warm environment where you can meet other international students.  Please do come and don’t be shy! ALL ARE WELCOME!

We act as a contact point for all international students, so if you have any enquires, a sensitive issue you need to discuss, or just want to make friends during your time at Peninsula we are here to assist you in anyway possible! Please feel free to approach me or any of the other members as we are more than happy to give you a hand or answer any of your queries.

We welcome any suggestions and feedback, so please do not hesitate to pop into the OSS Lounge, which is situated underneath the cafeteria for a friendly chat.  Alternatively you can voice your opinions through email (refer below).

Check out these links:

• www.harmony.gov.au - Living in Harmony initiative, administered by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA)

• http://www.bcl.com.au/melbourne/intgroup/multicultural.htm - this Melbourne City Life website provides a wealth of information ranging from what’s on in Melbourne, shopping, accommodation, employment as well as well as links to special interest groups around Melbourne.

• http://www.nlc.edu.au/main/ - This is the official website for the National Liaison Committee for International Students in Australia Inc (NLC). It is a not-for profit peak representative body organised by full-time international students for international students in Australia. NLC's focus is on academic and welfare issues which concern international students in Australia.

• www.multicultural.vic.gov.au – This is the official website for the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Website contains news, meeting and community events around Victoria.

• www.monash.edu/international/ - Link to the Monash University International engagement site.

For more information contact:

Didier Tshilombo
Overseas Student Services Director
Ph:+61 3 9904 4217
Mobile: 0423 470 649
Email: oss.director@monsupeninsula.org.au