The past few months have been an extraordinarily challenging time for everyone. The world is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy and our way of life.
We understand our student community has also been majorly impacted. While regular classroom studies have been disrupted during lockdown, our students have also faced financial hardships due to job cuts. With many of them living away from their families, taking care of their mental health and wellbeing becomes equally as important as their academic performance.
Our priority is to ensure that our students do not feel isolated or alone during this time. We are acutely aware of the challenges our International students are currently facing and we want to ensure that they are supported and cared for in every possible way during these times. We have taken some initiatives to keep our students connected and engaged with each other and our staff during this lockdown period.
So, how are we helping International students?
Student holidays & daily virtual activities
During the current lockdown, we have provided our International students with holidays. While we could have conducted virtual classes, like we did during the Stage 3 restrictions, we felt that it would not be fair to some of our students who are unable to study from home.
Now that no staff or students are allowed on campus, we have decided to provide all of our International students with holidays until the end of this period. We have also frozen fee collection to help relieve some of the financial burden our students may be experiencing.
During this holiday period, our teachers are running daily virtual extracurricular activities focused on our students’ wellbeing and engagement. It gives them an opportunity to connect with our staff members and interact with their classmates. Attendance is not mandatory and it is entirely up to them if they want to join in.
Free access to online course
We are also offering all of our International students free access to the online COVID-19 Infection Control Skill Sets course. We are confident that the students will utilise this time to acquire this new skill set and enhance their employment prospects.
Daily wellbeing sessions
We are also striving to ensure that our students do not feel alone or isolated during this current lockdown and that we are there for them in every possible way. For the mental health and wellbeing of our students, we are holding free sessions with our Student Welfare Coordinator. Click here to view the events calendar.
“These sessions not only give all our students an opportunity to socialise with others, but they are also comforted and reassured with the presence of a familiar face that they can talk to on a daily basis. Feeling connected and engaged in a compassionate way with your teachers and classmates, helps our students know that they are not alone in this.”
Michelle Cassell
Student Welfare Coordinator“Throughout this crisis, we have ensured that our students are supported in a practical and meaningful way while they study, work, and live during these difficult times. All of our staff members are committed to help and extend support to all our students and to reassure them that they are not alone. At this moment, during these trying times, our students are our top priority and we are committed to ensuring that they feel safe and cared for at all times”
Bryony Dade
Director of Quality and GovernanceView our free online sessions here
To learn more about support for COVID-19, click here
If you have any concerns or you need support for your wellbeing, email us at wellbeing@mcie.edu.au
Or, call our Student Welfare Coordinator on 1300 737 004 or 0412 278 654
