IT IS THE AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY APPLICATION WEEK AT EDLOCATE IN COLOMBO & KANDY FROM 7TH -14TH FEBRUARY
Edlocate is once again making it possible for genuine students and their parents to meet university representatives at a one on one interview sessions at our offices in Colombo and Kandy. Edlocate counselors handling Australian universities and pathway institutions will be on hand to explain the details regarding the financial requirements in respect of each student and how one could study in Australia without financial constraints based on each individual's financial capabilities. You will never get this opportunity to discuss your very own circumstances in confidence at any open education exhibition.
With 17 years of unblemished record and experience, having sent thousands of genuine students to over 24 Australian universities directly as well as through university pathway programs Edlocate counselors understand each person’s individual needs. Whilst the visiting university representatives would explain the advantages of studying in their universities, the special features of certain courses and the industry exposure of universities for students to obtain post study work experience, the Edlocate counselors will assist the university representatives to guide students towards the right programs to meet individual capabilities and aspirations.
Why study in Australia? It is a developed country, the universities are state regulated with regards to standards in every way to meet high international standards and students are exposed to related industrial and business giants located in Australia with whom all universities work in partnership. These industry links of universities help students to get much valuable work experience for minimum 2 years on completion of courses and where necessary even to consider joining the work force. Australia needs young educated professionals to take the country forward economically as it now has an aging population. Australia has a multicultural population with vast untapped resources and studying, living and working in Australia is completely stress free. One can get a lot of job satisfaction when employed, live well in a disciplined law abiding society.
How else could Edlocate help prospective students? With a large number of students both past and present having gone to Australia for tertiary studies through Edlocate, we have put in place a mechanism to introduce them to prospective students to get first hand information about the country, the state, the university, the course details about living and studying in Australia, post study work opportunities etc. Let us give you extracts from testimonials sent by 4 of such students presently in Australia.
Hansini De Fonseka recently graduated from the University of Wollongong. A past student of Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya. She joined UOW winning a scholarship with a 50% remission of tuition fee due to her excellent performance at Sri Lanka GCE A/L examination. She says that the counsellor at Edlocate who handled her enrolment was instrumental in she securing the scholarship awarded by the university and ensuring a smooth and free timey admission to the Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in both Accounting and Finance. Due to her outstanding performance in the first year of the course she was successful in entering the Dean’s scholar program thereby transferring her degree to Bachelor of Commerce Deans scholar. She says “I find Australia to be a lovely country with many friendly people, ready to go out of the way to help anyone in need. It is a fun loving nation respecting each other’s ideas and ideals, religious beliefs and cultures. It is a country with many opportunities to explore and learn. Therefore, my journey here in Australia and UOW has taught me to be independent and confident, manage my time well, balance my studies and entertainment, make friends and get involved and most importantly enjoy the university experience as a whole because as quoted by Einstein, in the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity!”
Vaishnavi Mahendran who did her secondary education at CIS Colombo recently graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Deakin University is now planning to do Master of Science in Australia. She says “I could simply summarise my experience as an undergraduate as hectic but very interesting in our third year we were encouraged to gain volunteer work placements to obtain realworld experience as part of a unit in the third year of the course. I used university on-campus accommodation as it was very convenient. My advice to future students is - work hard and play hard. Concentrate on your studies and try to do your best in every assignment and exam, because every single mark counts. However do take some time off to let off a little steam. Don’t stop doing the things you love because you think you may not have time. Not many people get the opportunity like this. Make the best of it”
Shavendra Gunathilake is a postgraduate student reading for a Master degree in Architecture in the University of Melbourne. He graduated with a ‘ First Class’ in Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the City School of Architecture, Colombo. He says “I will be very happy to share my experience to students who struggle to decide on what they want to do as I was is a similar situation in search of advice. I believe that the orientation program of the university was very helpful as there were several workshops and seminars on student accommodation, managing time, understanding culture and future part- time job opportunities etc. International students are provided an opportunity to meet a senior student mentor to clarify doubts and ask questions. The first semester is the most challenging and I decided not to do any part time job during the first semester but hope to do one, during the next vacation, preferably within the University as it will be very much convenient being an international student”.
Australia with a well defined system to attract international students provides opportunities to meet colleagues from different countries and establish valuable networks. There are part-time jobs whilst studying and if one does well during a course there is always good possibility to get openings for post study work. With these reasons, he says that he is glad that he made the correct choice to complete his tertiary studies in Australia.
Senal Siriwardena graduated from the Murdoch University in Perth with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in both Marine Science and Conservation and Wildlife Biology. He had decided to study at Murdoch because the university has a reputation for environment related courses. He adds “As one who loves a bit of peace and quiet, its location away from the busier city centre of Perth was an added bonus. As a person who always hated working within four walls, a 9 to 5 office job was never on the cards for me. Even as a kid I loved animal and the environment. The seas held particular intrigue for me as they cover more than three quarters of our planet but are among the least understood or studied of all habitats. Unravelling the hidden mysteries of the oceans was what prompted me to choose marine science as a course to study. Australia has taught me not to take things too seriously and to be a little laid back and enjoy life. It has taught me to be more open minded and accepting of others and their way of life and also to interact and get along with people of many different ethnicities and backgrounds and be kind and respectful to all’
He is contemplating of doing the honours year and dreams someday to work one day for the prestigious Discovery Channel.
What are the advantages of visiting the interview sessions?
Students can lodge applications for placements without the need to pay the processing fee for the July 2017 intake Students with excellent A/ L results can apply for scholarships ranging from AUD 10%- 100% of tuition fee Students can expedite the enrolment process by applying during the application week Postgraduate students could seek assistance in selecting the courses which would have supervisors Students with excellent O/ L results could seek to graduate in an accelerated manner through university Foundation programs Students with less than sufficient direct entry requirements can get advice on pathway options Students can seek credit for modules in degree programs based on Recognised Prior Learning of courses done earlier thus graduate in an expedient manner Representatives from many of the 24 Australian universities Edlocate represents in Sri Lanka including 7 of the Group of 8 universities will be on hand between 7th to 14th February in Colombo and Kandy offices of Edlocate. If you already have Sri Lanka or London A/ L results, a diploma or a professional qualification seeking to follow a Bachelor degree or one with a first degree and seeking to do a post graduate course, do make a firm appointment to meet university representatives of your choice by calling 0771- 770361 (Colombo) or 0815631583 (Kandy) .Come with your academic qualification support documents, ( Applications could be lodged pending results) IELTS/ PTE results (If available) and the passport. Parents of students are welcome to accompany students.