International Students
International students get Jabbed!
COVID-19 can spread quickly and widely. It has resulted in the deaths of over 1.9 million people worldwide and over 900 deaths in Australia.
When enough people in the community are vaccinated, it slows down the spread of disease. Achieving herd immunity is a long-term goal. It usually requires a large amount of the population to be vaccinated.
So far at Doncaster SC, we have three international students who have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and have therefore played a very important role in the fight against this virus. We are super proud of them!
Please find their reflection of the experience of receiving COVID-19 vaccination:
As for the COVID-19 vaccine, although I am nervous and worried about it myself, I want to ensure the safety of my host family and my classmates and friends when I go back to school to meet them after the lockdown. I chose to complete my COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, so that my parents which in China would also be reassured.
As for adverse reactions after vaccination, I think there is no need to worry about them. They are just muscle soreness and temporary inability to exert energy, which will not cause great harm to the body. After all, vaccination is safer than COVID-19 diagnosis.
In addition, although the city is still under lockdown, the final exam of Y12 still needs to be completed at school. I am worried about the safety of students who have not received vaccination by then. Therefore, in order to ensure the completion of their studies without accidents, I hope international students can complete the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, so that you are responsible for yourself and others.
Cathy JIN, Year 12
I got the vaccination in August because I didn't feel safe with the situation we are in right now. Also, I wanted to get some sort of protection so I can go out not worrying about it too much. The injection is the same with every vaccination but the side effect hit me pretty big after the first dose. I felt really tired and lost my appetite, my left arm was in lots of pain and went numb. However, it was only one day.
My suggestion is to do the booking and take the vaccine as quickly as possible. The sooner you get it, the sooner you get protection, and the more people get the vaccine the quicker we can go back to our normal life.
William WANG, Year 11
I got my first dose vaccination on the 25th of August in the Convention Centre of Melbourne. The reason why I want to get the vaccination is because I want to protect myself and due to the cases that Covid now affects more teenagers.
The reaction I got after the first dose is just my arm. It really hurt, but nothing else. I want to talk to the whole international students that: no matter what types of vaccination, just go get it for your safety.
Rebecca ZHAO, Year 12
Recharge Day
Our international students share their experience of the DSC Recharge Day (Wednesday 18th August) with their pictures, artworks and baking products. They enjoyed the sunshine, the birds’ singing and the fun activities. They absolutely loved it!
Today is Recharge Day and it is a pretty great time for me to take a break from electronic products. I made a dessert with my little brother in the morning. It is not hard but I really enjoy it.
Then, I added a new note in my gratitude jar to record this happy time. I've got plenty of old clothes at home, but I don't want to throw them away because they are lovely. So it is a fantastic idea to give them to charity and help others.
After that, I started to finish my scarf and sew a bear on it. For me, the worst thing about lockdown is cannot go out freely and enjoy the fresh air. However, there is still lots of awesome things we can do. Please enjoy life!
Nicole LI, Year 8
On Recharge Day I spend a very good day because I can take a break from my laptop. I have finished the painting that I don't have time to draw before. Then, I made a candle with some dry flowers. I went out for a walk and I used Strava to record it. It's is looks like a sign of a Telstra car! After that, I found a picture that I took yesterday and I edited it on Photoshop. During the lockdown, a long time can't community with my friends and I can't go out freely. It is very difficult for me but nevertheless, lockdown gives me a lot of time to develop my personal hobbies.
Che CAI, Year 8
For the DSC Recharge Day I chose 4 activities, Paint like a pro, personal choice, Strava art and bake something amazing.
The first thing I did that day was Paint like a pro and for that I drew a simple line art design. The second thing I did that day was personal choice and for that I did some Origamis., I made a lotus flower and 3 bookmarks. The third thing I did was strava art and i jogged and walked an elephant head. And the last thing I did was bake like a pro, with the help of my sister, I made delicious cream.
Christabel ONWUMERE, Year 8
Recharge day was a perfect opportunity to get away from my screen and have some time for myself. I decided to bake brownies and go out to my balcony for some reading. It was really nice to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors.
Berry EAIN, Year 10
Melbourne Writers Festival
Dear International Students,
Study Melbourne has partnered with Melbourne Writers Festival to bring your stories to life in this year’s storytelling competition: Melbourne Beginnings.
This is the beginning of my story…
Melbourne is Australia’s best student city and a great source of inspiration for many storytellers. It is a melting pot of creativity, cuisines, coffee and cultures. This year, let your imagination run wild with ‘Melbourne Beginnings’.
In partnership with Melbourne Writers Festival, we invite all international students (both onshore and offshore) studying with a Victorian education provider to spin us a story featuring details of your real or fictional life in Melbourne or Victoria, and be sure to include the line ‘this is how my story began…‘.
Your storytelling will be rewarded with gift vouchers for groceries or food delivery, and an opportunity to be published. For those studying remotely overseas, prizes of equivalent value will be organised.
Peer into your mental archives to pick up an idea or an experience. All genres, moods and styles welcome.
KEY DATES
- Wed 28 Jul – Competition opens 7pm AEST
- Mon 20 Sep – Competition closes 7pm AEST
- Fri 24 Sep – Shortlist announced, voting for People’s Choice opens 10am AEST
- Fri 8 Oct – Voting closes for People’s Choice 10am AEST
- TBA – Celebration at the Wheeler Centre, shortlist presented with certificates and winners announced
PRIZES
Each category winner will receive a $300 gift voucher for groceries or food delivery from your choice of local retailers.* Shortlisted students will also each receive a $50 grocery voucher of your own choice. For students studying remotely overseas, prizes of the equivalent value will be organised.
Winning and shortlisted entries will be published by MWF and Study Melbourne after the competition.
*Selected from a list of local retailers suggested by MWF, or by students’ nominations if applicable.
COMPETITION
Entrants are invited to write a story between 500–1,000 words, or create a visual work, to share their Melbourne Beginnings. Entrants could write, film, draw, or photograph something that narrates the beginnings of their imagined or real stories.
- Written – High School (up to 500 words)
- Written – English Language Training (up to 500 words)
- Written – Vocational Education & Training (up to 500 words)
- Written – Higher Education (up to 1,000 words)
- Visual – Options inlcude: a comic strip (up to two A4 pages); photo story board (minimum three images); video (maximum five minutes); or a single-page illustration.
- People’s Choice Award No longer a current student to enter the competition? Vote for your favourite in our People’s Choice Award to win a double pass to MWF21! Friends and families are also welcome to enter. Entrant with the most votes will be the winner of this category.
Sally Huang
Director of International Student Program