When Tejas Deshmukh arrived in Bendigo from India earlier this year, the initial culture shock was massive. “I come from Mumbai where the population is very dense and here it seemed so quiet,” he says. But the La Trobe Master of Community Planning and Development student has ensured his life in Bendigo has been jam-packed.... Continue Reading →
Campus just a drop punt from new family ties
Exchange student Hanako Aono received a crash course in Aussie Rules this month in the home of avid Cats supporter Margaret O’Rourke. “I have actually seen a footy game on TV before in my residence, but seeing one with a family was really great because they have one team to support and I could follow them,... Continue Reading →
Warm winter welcome to international students
Bendigo was largely a foreign concept to the new international students who arrived for second semester this week, but it’s a place that’s about to feature heavily in their lives. The students have travelled to this dot on the map from all corners of the globe to advance their education, experience Australian life, and see... Continue Reading →
Starry, starry life
For IT student Jack Tougen, childhood was spent far, far from a computer screen. There's not even electricity where he comes from. Until the age of 12, Jack lived with his grandfather on the tiny island of Paama in Vanuatu, completely off grid. His village had no power, and the only mod con in the house... Continue Reading →
Christmas wishes to come true
This month Bendigo kids start counting the sleeps until a special Christmas arrival. But the man in red has nothing on Sophia Swai. Her children in Tanzania are likewise crossing dates off a calendar. They’re waiting for their mum to come home for Christmas. Sophia has been studying in Bendigo for three years. On her... Continue Reading →
Students bring global perspective to Robinvale plan
Robinvale is about to benefit from a world of knowledge. Last month seven international La Trobe Bendigo planning students took their expertise to the Victorian river-side town. The PhD and masters students joined lecturers and Swan Hill Rural City Council staff to gather locals’ suggestions for updating the Robinvale Community Plan. The group spoke to... Continue Reading →