February 2004

We will be publishing four newsletters a year in the months of February, April, July and October. Each newsletter will update you on events happening in our Martin College and Charles Sturt University programs. This first edition looks at the latest news from Sydney, a Graphic Design credit package into the University of Technology, Sydney, word on our new Brisbane campus and the CSU Dean's List Award ceremony. We'll also be looking at a Martin College and CSU student and hearing what they have to say about their lives in Australia.

When reviewing this newsletter, you will see that many of our CSU Dean's List recipients choose CSU in part because of the possibility of completing a Bachelor degree in a shorter period of time. It's clear that students can participate in fast-track programs and still excel academically.

We are looking forward to a great year in 2004 and are pleased to start the year with some news about our successes in 2003. Congratulations to our graduates and to our academic high achievers!

Best Regards,

Martin College - News from Sydney

The 2004 academic year is swinging into full force. The end of 2003 saw many graduates take their skills learned at Martin College into the workforce or to university for further study.

Our Advanced Diploma of Business Management is in its 2nd year. This very successful program grants students entry into the 2nd year of selected universities. Courses in Information Technology are becoming even more popular, as the international job market climbs once again.

Montpelier House, our student residence in Sydney, is filling up again after the quiet Christmas period. Students from the Gold Coast accepted a Study Group offer for a 'Cheap Week in Sydney' and fourteen students took up residence to experience a Sydney New Year's Eve.

First round university offers have recently been announced, pleasing many of our past Martin College students. 80% of our students interested in university study have received initial offers to a university; a great success for the individuals and for Martin College. More offer rounds from universities are yet to come.

Graduate placement for Martin College local students is also a success, with 100% of eligible students being placed. Recent graduates have been placed with Harris Technology, Abraham's Advertising Agency, Qantas and Auto Salon magazine.

In 2003 Study Group relaunched its Internship program working with a partner organisation. Internships are now available in all fields. Successful internships were undertaken in companies such as: 2RRR, a local community radio station; Traveler's Contact Point, specialising in travel services for working holiday makers; Arnott's, the famous biscuit people and Shangri-La Hotel, a leading five-star hotel chain.

Boomerang Club has been going strong and students have had the chance to ski in the Snowy Mountains; visit Canberra, Australia's capital city; walk through the shark tank at the Aquarium; visit the beautiful Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves and Hunter Valley Vineyards. More great trips are planned for 2004.

Diploma of Graphic Design

It is with great pleasure that Martin College announces a very favourable Graphic Design credit package into the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). This credit package offers Martin College international and local students credit toward the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication.

Visual Communication refers to communication across a range of visually based forms and includes, but is not limited to graphic design. It encompasses web design, film and video production design, broadcast identity design, new media, communication design, print and publication design, information design and exhibition design to name but a few.

The credit package that Martin College now offers is as follows:

• Martin College Diploma students can gain up to 24 credit points towards the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication.

More specific information is available as to the entry requirements for Martin College students into UTS, once they complete their Diploma course. This is a great opportunity for graduates of Martin College's Diploma of Graphic Design to continue studies at university in their field of interest.

New Brisbane campus

The beautiful new facility where Martin College is now situated in Brisbane was officially opened by the Premier of Queensland, the Hon. Peter Beattie. This state-of-the-art building was especially designed to house our students, giving them serene yet colourful surroundings to enhance their studies. This purpose-built campus features a spacious Common Room for students, together with a wonderful library and examples of modern technology, affording our local and international students every opportunity to attain good results in the course of their choice.

Testimonial

Name: Roberta Born Spessot
Country: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Course of Study: Advanced Diploma in Business

What do you enjoy most about studying at Martin College?
I believe that the multicultural mix is the most interesting thing. I have classmates from all countries of the world, so it makes it very interesting to learn about everyone's cultures. The atmosphere at the College is also very nice. The teachers and staff members are always helpful and friendly. I really like studying at Martin College and I am glad I chose Australia for having this experience.

What is you favourite subject and why?
I am into accounting subjects. I have always liked them since school and my favourite subjects always involved numbers. I used to love math and physics.

What are your plans after you complete your studies?
I plan to finish my university degree here in Australia. I have already started my Bachelor in Business in Brazil so I would like to graduate here after I finish Martin College. I plan to be a teacher, so maybe I will even do my Masters degree here if I stay when I graduate from university.

Why did you choose Martin College?
Because Study Group is very well known worldwide and my travel agency in Brazil, STB, highly recommended the school to me. I used to work for STB in Brazil as well, so I already had an idea about what the school offered and had heard some testimonies of other students that have studied at Martin College before.

What do you like about Australia?
Australia is a beautiful country and I find it very similar to Brazil; the variety of landscapes, from great beaches to rainforest and desert - this is great! The people are very friendly too, just as they are at home. I feel very comfortable here and I adapted to the Australian lifestyle quite easily.

CSU

Dean's List Award ceremony

Four Study Group students have recently been included on the Charles Sturt University Dean's List in recognition of outstanding academic performance. Edyson Solaiman, Patrick Seibert, Dang Trong Tan Vo and Tamotsu Nagahori have all been recognised for their high results in their Bachelor of Information Technology course.

A presentation was held in December 2003 to honour Study Group's Deans List Award recipients. Jim Pratley, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at Charles Sturt University, awarded the students with their Dean's List certificate. Other key staff who participated in the celebration included Jenny Hayes, Principal of Study Group's Darlinghurst campus, Rodney Waterson, Director for Study Group's CSU programs and Adele Seale, Dean of Students for Study Group's CSU programs.

To receive Dean's List recognition, students must receive the result of 'distinction' or 'high distinction' in each subject for that particular trimester.

Edyson Solaiman, Indonesia

Edyson studied a Diploma at another Sydney college before beginning his Bachelor of Information Technology through CSU. One of the reasons he choose Charles Sturt University was because of the accelerated courses offered and the fact that he received substantial credits from his Diploma course into CSU.

Edyson enjoys the small classes and the friendly lecturers at CSU. His favourite subjects are software related subjects, such as Java and C.

After graduation, Edyson hopes to open his own software development business. He's also considering a Masters degree for the future.

Patrick Seibert, Czech Republic

Patrick has been with Study Group since 1998, when he first studied English with Embassy CES. Patrick then moved to another college to study for a Diploma and then returned to CSU in 2002 to complete his Bachelor of Information Technology. Patrick was drawn back to CSU because it would be the fastest way to complete his Bachelor degree, as he received credits into the course. He also likes the trimester system - with holidays every few months!

Patrick generally enjoys all of his subjects at CSU and also thinks the small classes are an advantage for studying. After completing his studies, he plans to take some time off, travel for a while and eventually look for a job.

Dang Trong Tan Vo, Vietnam

Tan studied at Martin College for a Diploma in Information Technology before beginning his CSU Bachelor degree. Tan was interested in completing his Bachelor degree in a short period of time and therefore, CSU's course through Study Group was his best choice.

Tan is already studying for his Masters at the University of Technology, Sydney. He's working part-time while completing his Masters degree.

Congratulations to Tan who received the Dean's Award for a highly impressive three consecutive trimesters!

Tamotsu Nagahori, Japan

Before studying at CSU, Tamotsu completed some IT qualifications in Sydney through other providers. He joined CSU, as the fast-track course suited his needs. He enjoys the personal atmosphere at CSU and says he has found it easy to get to know friends and academic staff.

Tamotsu really enjoys studying in Australia, as he loves nature - especially the ocean. After completing his Bachelor degree, he plans to look for a job.

Testimonial

Name: Petter Lundmark
Country: Malmö, Sweden
Course of Study: Bachelor of Business – Marketing

What do you enjoy most about studying at Charles Sturt University?
At CSU we have smaller classes than in many other universities. This allows the students to ask more questions and to feel more secure in doing so. The mix of so many nationalities makes the study experience wider than just staying in your own country. After a year and six months I have friends from France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Hong Kong, Brazil and New Zealand.

What is your favourite subject?
My favourite subject so far is Buyer Behaviour where you learn how consumers think in a purchase situation and how we choose between different brands and companies. It goes really deep into why some concepts in marketing can be more effective than other concepts and this course has given me a boost in my marketing studies.

What are your plans after you complete your studies?
Buyer Behaviour is probably something that I will continue studying after I have finished this course. Firstly I might just get a job to fully fortify my studies in real life situations but after that I'm pretty sure that I'm going to continue my studies in the marketing field. I don't know where I'm going to pursue my additional studies or start my career but I hope that once I have finished this course I will have a good idea about where I want to be in the world.

Why did you choose Charles Sturt University?
Coming to Australia and studying and living in this country has been the best choice in my life so far. It has given me not only great experience in the marketing field but great experiences when it comes to life in general as well.

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