Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander

College Guide

I N T E R N A T I O N A L H O U S EB R I S B A N E

What is International House?International House (IH) is a residential college that is home to 50% International and 50% Australian residents representing 37 nationalities who come to live and learn together with respect, empathy and international friendship. We encourage and support Indigenous people to join the culturally diverse IH family as your home away from home whilst studying at university. Established in 1965, IH provides fully catered accommodation in a safe environment for 240 residents. IH is affiliated with University of Queensland (UQ) and located on UQ’s campus in St Lucia.

What is life at IH like?Friendships and connections made at IH are for life

Our Pastoral Care Program supports you being a part of the IH family

30 free tutorials as part of the Academic Support Program

Opportunities for leadership, personal and professional growth

Membership to UQ Sports and the IH Student Club (IHSC)

Social, cultural, sporting and academic events

Are there activities for me?At IH, residents celebrate and share their cultures at events throughout the year. Soirée is IH’s annual hallmark event which is a multicultural food and entertainment festival. You can also participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival (Chinese New Year), different national sports and a variety of weekly events such as Iron Chef, Yoga, Karate, Origami making, Hip Hop lessons and so much more.

IYLCThe Indigenous Youth Leadership Camp (IYLC) provides an opportunity for Indigenous high school students (mentees), who aspire to attend University, to experience life in a cross-cultural community by living at IH for four days. Since 2012, IYLC has had 55 mentees go through the program and 60 International and Australian IH residents (mentors) volunteer their time to deliver the camp. It is a highlight of the year.

Free wi-fi across the entire college (20GB per month for UQ students)

37 nationalities are represented at IH

Can I get financial support?

The Indigenous Scholarship

We offer you guidance and support to make your life at university as smooth as possible.

IH is committed to providing an environment that celebrates Indigenous culture and supports the education of Indigenous students seeking to pursue tertiary education. Therefore, IH has established The Indigenous Scholarship to support an IH resident of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background who is studying full time at a university. The scholarship is awarded to one resident annually. Contact us to hear more about The Indigenous Scholarship.

ABSTUDYYou may be eligible to apply for ABSTUDY which will help you with costs. The eligibility basics are:• being Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander• enrolled in an approved course• not receiving any other government

assistance to study

To apply, go to www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/abstudy.

What do the IH fees cover?IH has 9 undergraduate and 2 postgraduate residential towers that accommodate 240 residents. Residents are provided with a private room and share other facilities such as the laundry, bathrooms and common rooms. Rooms vary in size but all come with the following:• 20GB Wi-Fi per month• UQ Sports membership (gym & pool)• breakfast, lunch and dinner every day• cultural, social and sports activities• bed, desk, chair and wardrobe• weekly room cleaning services

“When I first walked into IH I was both excited and nervous but quickly found it to be the perfect home away from home. By being a part of the IH family for this last year, I have gained friends for life, learned about different cultures and developed both personally and professionally. I was proud to this year be able to celebrate and share my Indigenous culture as a Lead Mentor for the International House Indigenous Youth Leadership Camp and I look forward to continuing to play a leadership role in the future as I was recently elected to run our annual multicultural festival Soirée as one of the Convenors for 2015.”

Myee Connors, 3rd year Psychology Student at UQ

University ScholarshipsThe Universities offer a range of scholarships. Learn more and apply here:

UQ scholarships:• www.scholarships.uq.edu.au

Queensland Univeristy of Technology (QUT) scholarships:• www.qut.edu.au/study/fees-and-

scholarships /scholarships-and-prizes

Griffith University scholarships:• www.griffith.edu.au/scholarships

Myee’s father’s tribe is Kamilaroi (Central NSW) and her mother’s is Kullili (South Western QLD).

Sometimes, the first step is the hardest one to take.

What can I expect?

International House1/5 Rock Street, St Lucia

QLD 4067 AustraliaP: +61 7 3721 2480 | F: +61 7 3721 2476

E: ihadmissions@inthouse.uq.edu.auW: internationalhouse.uq.edu.au

facebook.com/IHBrisbane

twitter.com/IHBris

linkedin.com/company/international-house-brisbane

instagram.com/ihbris

International House (ABN 98 372 412 842) is a Cosmopolitan College within The University of Queensland (UQ). © Copyright International House 2014. Front page artwork © Colin Wightman. Images © Jeffrey Hamilton. Icons © Megan Sheehan, Michele Pinna, Daniel Flp, Juan Pablo Bravo, Mundo, Adrijan Karavdic and Michael Zenaty. IH060

1. Can my family visit me?Yes, your family is welcome to come and visit. 2. If I did not get an OP or a HSC result, can I still apply?Yes, UQ College is an alternative pathway to University that prepares you for success at university. Read more: www.uqcollege.edu.au.

3. Is IH only for international students?No, IH is a college that caters for both Australian (50%) and International (50%) students with an equal number of male and female students.

4. Is there support for residents when they first move in and during the year?Yes, O-Week is a program of events that welcomes and introduces you to the college, the University and Brisbane. It also begins the creation of a ‘home away from home’.

5. Is IH affiliated with any religion?No, we are not linked to any particular religious organisations or religion.

6. How does IH manage intoxicated or offensive behaviour?Residents are required to comply with both the ‘Resident Code of Conduct’ and ‘Alcohol Policy’.

7. Can I live at IH if I study at another university?Yes, we consider students studying at other universities.

8. What sense of collegiality is there?College spirit develops quickly and easily by organised cross-cultural, sporting, cultural, academic and social activities. You are encouraged to celebrate and share your culture at IH. Residents become “Housies” for life.

9. Can residents remain in residence during vacation breaks?Yes. Unlike some colleges, IH allows residents to remain in residence during the mid-year vacation break (June-July) at no extra charge.

10. Are all meals included in the fees?All meals are included for the entire contract period (39 weeks) for undergraduate residents, including packed lunches and dinners. Postgraduate residents are self-catered and receive 20 complimentary meals per semester.

11. Can I visit IH before I apply?Absolutely! We encourge you to visit, meet current residents, undertake a tour and meet staff. Take the first step and contact us today.

We offer you support from when you first consider applying until the day you begin your career outside of college. In fact, we are always here for you as all IH residents become a part of the IH Alumni and

community after their time at the college.