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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

BY UMMSS INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE 2017

CREATED BY SU LEE EDITED BY NICHOLAS ADRIANTO SOPUTRO

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome to the University of Melbourne 3

Required documentations 4

Visa 5

Health Insurance 6

Banking information 7

Accommodation 8

Mobile phones 9

Public transport 10

Student card 11

Clinical placement compliance documentations 12

Clinical school zones 13 Words of Wisdom from the committee 2017

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Welcome to the University of Melbourne Congratulations on your admission to Doctor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne! The University of Melbourne has ranked as 31st in the 2016 Performance of Scientific Papers for World Universities. The University of Melbourne is also the highest-placed Australian university in the rankings of nearly 500 universities worldwide. We all know how hard you have worked to get here and be a part of us! You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves J As a MD1 international student representative, I understand how exciting and intimidating you might be before moving to Australia. Don’t worry! You are not the only one and we are here for you to provide all the support you may need. Please read carefully through the following guide that was created by the international subcommittee of University of Melbourne Medical Students’ Society (UMMSS) to make your journey easier. Do not hesitate to contact UMMSS international subcommittee for any questions you might have on our Facebook page! Once again, we warmly welcome you to join us in Melbourne. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you very soon. All the best. Sincerely, Su Lee (MD1 international student representative 2016-2017)

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Documents Checklist

o Confirmation of enrolment o Student visa o OSHC card/ confirmation of cover o Identification: passport/birth certificate/driver’s license o Receipts of payment (deposit) o Confirmation of living/lease (if applicable)

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Student Visa (class TU, subclass 500) Apply for your Australian student visa at www.border.gov.au

• Note: you may need to see a panel doctor in your country for general medical examinations

• Student visa may take about a month (varies according to your country)

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Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is essential for the duration of the program to gain a student visa and to enrol for your program

• You may choose between university OSHC or independent providers OSHC o Independent providers are Nib, Medibank, Bupa, Allianz, AHM OSHC

§ Further information could be found at www.oshcaustralia.com.au/en

• Recommended provider: Bupa

o There are a lot of Bupa friendly doctors in the city, which means they directly bill on your behalf

o There is Bupa office located right above the University of Melbourne health clinic that you could easily drop in if you have any questions

o It is relatively cheaper compared to other independent providers

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Banking Information

• Open up your bank account as soon as you arrive o Required documents: student ID, Passport, confirmation of enrolment, current

address, phone number • Options: Commonwealth, Bank of Melbourne, West Pac

• Recommended Bank: Commonwealth Bank

o ATMs are available on-campus o A branch is located on-campus o It is very convenient for use through its app

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Accommodation

• University Colleges/Residences o You need to apply as soon as possible due to limited spaces o Meal options: full food or partial food

• Managed Accommodations o Options: Urbanest, UniLodge, Iglu

• Private Rental Market

o Check the available rentals at www.realestate.com.au

§ Can only be arranged after inspections • Contact a real estate agent to set up your inspections

§ Need an approval from the owner o Options: homestay, flatmates

o Rental prices are indicated per week (but to be paid on a monthly basis) o Price range:

§ Carlton, Fitzroy: $250-350/week depending on roommates and style (private vs. house)

§ CBD: $400-450/week

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Mobile Phones & Internet

• Options: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Amaysim

• Plans: pay-as-you-go, prepaid, contracts • Don’t forget to bring your phone (unlock your phone prior to arriving Australia) • Prepaid SIM cards are available to purchase at the airport

o It is highly recommended to purchase the prepaid SIM card as the contact information is absolutely essential

• Recommended company: Optus Yes o Optus provides you with mobile phones and internet package for $100 o Optus also has a great customer services

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Public Transit

• Myki card o Fares are based on zones: zone 1 and zone 2 o Myki card can be easily purchased at 7eleven o Myki card can be charged at 7eleven and tram/train stations o CBD tram network is free

§ You do not need to touch on your Myki in free tram zone § Consider this for your accommodation*

o Bike share is available in Melbourne

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Student card

Student card is the most important piece of ID Visit http://students.unimelb.edu.au/admin/student-card to register for your student card How to get your student card

1. Complete your course enrolment 2. Upload your photograph via the CaptureME portal 3. Wait for your confirmation email (can take up to 24 hours) which will be sent to your

nominated email address. Once you have this email, you can collect your student card on campus from 1pm the following working day

4. Bring your student number (you can find this on your offer email) and your original passport (not a copy or photo) when you collect your card

5. Collect your student card at the designated collection point, Parkville campus at 757 Swanston street (stop 1)

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Clinical Placement Compliance Documentation

• Infection and Immunization Declaration – need to be renewed every year & need to be signed by Australian doctor

o Make an appointment at the University of Melbourne Health Service by online at http://services.unimelb.edu.au/health/about/appointment or by phone at 03-8344-6904

• Working with children check – takes about a month to get delivered o Need to visit postal office to submit the application

• Overseas Police Record declaration – need to be renewed every year

• Documents can be found and submitted at http://mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-students/placements

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Clinical Zones Inner-East Zone v.s. North-West Zone

• International students are allocated to either inner-east zone or North-west zone. Inner-east zone and North-west zone are divided based on the proximity to the city. Both zones have amazing hospitals to train medical students. Each hospital has different specialities and health services that it depends on students’ interest where they would like to put their first preference.

o You will receive an email around April-May to choose your preferences according to your clinical zone.

• Inner-east zone has four hospitals whereas North-west zone has two hospitals. Please read below for more details.

Inner-East Zone

• Royal Melbourne Hospital • Austin Hospital • St. Vincent Hospital • Epworth Hospital

North-West Zone

• Northern Hospital • Western Hospital

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RMH is closely located to University of Melbourne campus that students have the opportunity to work alongside leading University of Melbourne clinicians and scientists. RMA provides specialist and general medical and surgical services, including cardiac, neuroscience, endocrinology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, infectious diseases, dermatology and oncology, as well provides a major trauma service and Victorian infectious Diseases Service.

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Austin hospital comprises the Austin Hospital, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre. The hospital has an excellent record for success in physician and surgical training programs, as excellent list of specialty rotations, and close ties with local general practice clinics

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St Vincent’s Clinical School is located at St Vincent’s Hospital in Fitzroy, which is renowned for organized training programs for medical students. St. Vincent’s is a multi-speciality unit hospital, providing acute medical and surgical services, emergency, and critical care, aged care, diagnostics, rehabilitation medicine, mental health, palliative care, and resident care. Students have the opportunity to undertake clinical placements at St. Vincent’s Public Hospital, St. Vincent’s Private, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear hospital, Peter MacCallum Hospital and St. George’s Hospital in Kew. Students at St. Vincent’s are also provided additional, innovative teaching programs. These include orthopaedic masterclasses, surgical lumps and bumps beside teaching, neurology masterclasses, and the Clinical Integration Programas (CIP) – a stimulation program for year 2 MD students and final year students.

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Epworth Hospital is a private hospital providing excellent patient-centered care with compassion and dignity. Epworth hospital takes a smaller group of students where students can work with clinicians more closely. Epworth worked with OMG! Creative and their chosen film production company Kojo to produce the film.

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Students of the Northern Clinical School are primarily based at Northern Hospital and are also partnered with a GP practice for weekly visits. Students have their own consulting space and contribute to diagnosis and management plans. They benefit from a single, permanent home to study the full breadth of health care in both community- and hospital-based medicine.

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The Western Clinical School is based at two sites: Sunshine hospital and Footscray Hospital. The Western Hospital has an intensive care Unit and Coronary Care Unit and 24 hour angiography service at Footscray. Sunshine hospital includes an aged care unit, palliative care unit and community rehabilitation. The University of Melbourne collaborates with Western Health and Victoria University to conduct research into conditions affecting the local populations and including diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease.

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Words of Wisdom From UMMSS International Student Committee 2017 Nicolas, UMMSS International Officer (MD3, Western Hospital)

“ I can safely say the medical school becomes more interesting as the course progresses. There appears to be a greater emphasis on being an independent learner both in terms of the academic curriculum as well as improving the soft skills required to become successful clinicians. Regardless of where you are for your clinical school, there will be ample of opportunities to develop your passion in particular specialties and to become advocates for certain issues within the health care system. Western has been certainly supportive of your endeavours and to grow your interests, especially when you put in the work.”

Janice, Secretary (MD2, St. Vincent’s Hospital) “St. Vincent’s probably have the most scheduled classes compared to the other clinical schools. But, this is good because it means that you won’t miss anything from the syllabus and you don’t have to make the effort to schedule some time with the busy doctors! At the same time, the timetable really varies from week to week so you will never find out what your life is going to be until Thursday the previous week. At St. Vincent’s you can be sure that your tummy and well-being is taken care of. With various wellbeing events, end of rotation drinks and a ping pong and a billiard table at the common room, out cohort at St. Vincent’s is a really tight cohort. We also have free bread, biscuits (sweet and savory!), milk, butter, milo, tea and coffee at common room every day. And we are located in Fitzroy surrounded by brunch places and coffee shops! Lastly, teaching here at St. Vincent’s is amazing. All the doctors are willing to teach and really do care about us. The registrar and interns are also very welcoming and most of them had done their MD training at St. Vincent’s as well so they really understand what it’s like to be you.”

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Samantha, Events Officer (MD2, Royal Melbourne Hospital)

“RMH lies across the road from Melbourne Uni, so if you are keen on doing some research whilst in clinical school, being in the middle of the Parkville research precinct is the place to be!. Tutorials, lectures and fun activities planned by student societies are mostly held on campus too, so you’ll never have to miss them. Desperate for a coffee? You’ll be a spoilt for choice here. The Loft at Peter Mac is a great place to enjoy the view of North Melbourne or to witness the arrival of a patient by helicopter. Staff and patients at RMH are very multicultural, so as an international student, you won’t feel out of place at all. Your fluency in another language may even score you bonus points when you can do some interpretation for your team!

If you’re independent learner, the flexibility at RMH will suit you. This doesn’t mean that you’re all on your own. The clinical school and upper year mentors are very supportive and useful as guides. Teaching opportunities are also aplenty as junior and senior doctors are always keen to pass on their knowledge to you!” Su, MD1 representative (MD1, Pre-Clinical) “The Doctor of Medicine program at University of Melbourne greatly emphasizes in clinical skills that the hospital training starts at year 2. Therefore, University of Melbourne focuses on students to build up a strong foundation in theoretical knowledge in first year. The first year curriculum entails lectures, laboratories, case-study learning (CSL) and pre-clinical practice (PCP). This may sound overwhelming. However, UMMSS offers peer tutoring, practice questions, useful materials and resources to lead you in a right direction. Furthermore, teaching and administrative staffs are always available to help in your first step in medical career. UMMSS also organizes a great social events for you to make lots of friends in a new city!

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Daming, MD2 representative (MD2, Western Hospital)

“Western Hospitals always have the reputation of a friendly working and studying environment. Australia is a country that is tolerant to diversity. This is perfectly reflected in western hospitals where you will experience all kinds of patients and medical staff from different national, cultural and religious background. Western hospital is also well known for having many doctors who used to be oversea students. As international medical students, it is a privilege to have these seniors around to share their studying and working experiences. Apart from responsible and reliable teaching teams that every clinical schools have, western clinical school also provide extra lectures and tutorials which turns out to be a great source for learning. In Western, you will be involved and learn most from your clinical placement.”

Benjamin, MD3 representative (MD3, Northern Hospital) “Students at Northern experience medicine in various settings, including large and small satellite hospitals, and general practice. They learn from caring, knowledgeable and skilled clinical tutors in up-to-date facilities. Students are also exposed to a wide demographic of patients and medical conditions making it an ideal learning environment. Furthermore, students are encouraged to be involved as much as possible in patient care and treatment, making it a complete clinical experience. In addition, Northern also has a brand new education building for students and researchers, as well as great common room with pool and table tennis tables!”

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Vicki, MD4 representative (MD4, Austin Hospital)

“Having been at the Austin for the past 3 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here as a student. Everyone is very friendly and approachable, along with doctors who are always willing to teach, and this makes the transition from preclinical to clinical years so much easier and less daunting. The Austin also provides the statewide liver transplant service, so you may get a chance to observe a liver transplant! In your downtime, you can play a game of table tennis or pool in the common room with your peers, or head to the café for some free coffee or tea! In MD4, we spend the first half of the year doing research. One of the perks of doing research at the Austin is that the clinical school organizes clinical skills tutorial for us so that we won’t forget our clinical knowledge! For the remaining half of the year, we go back to the wards as trainee interns to prepare for internship next year. In these last few months,

you will be treated as part of the team and will feel like you are finally contributing to patient care.” Amanda, Former MD1 representative (MD2, Epworth Hospital) “There are pros and cons to being a student at the Epworth. As many are aware, Epworth is a private hospital and does not have the usual team based approach in patient care. There are no interns, residents, and only a handful of registrars; patient care is delivered primary by consultants. All of this translates to a teaching experience that is uniquely different from that of public hospitals. There are no ward rounds for students to attend – which is often the main avenue of clinical teaching for students at public hospitals. The lack of junior doctors also makes the learning environment less approachable. On the other hand, because all teaching at Epworth are done by consultants, not only do Epworth students have access to high-level teaching, students also have more opportunity to get to know consultants and establish meaningful relations for future references. The lack of internship training at Epworth is also a particular disadvantage for international students. However, the large amount of contact hours and the potential to receive personal references from consultants will be an advantage with internship applications.

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UMMSS Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/121719368017549/ UMMSS International Student Website https://ummssinternational.weebly.com/ If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us through our Facebook page! Thank you J Good luck!

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