Orientation Week for the first trimester of 2022 is around the corner, and I am fairly excited as it will be my last Orientation Week as a Griffith University student.
As the event is coming closer, it reminds me of my first Orientation week at the Nathan campus, when I had not yet changed my major and moved to the Gold Coast.
It has been three years since I came to Australia to study and pursue my dream career. I remember I came here in the winter at the end of June, which was quite cold for me at first. My home city of Ho Chi Minh is normally hot during the year without winter, so it took me a while to adapt. I still have a vivid memory of being extremely excited for the Orientation Week that I did hours of research on it.
Postgraduate Orientation
The first O-Week activity I attended was the Postgraduate Orientation session. This session was designed to help new commencing students to understand general knowledge on campus and off campus. This session took place in the university theatre. First, they gave out a blank name tag to students to fill in their names, countries where they came from and their major. There was so much information which I honestly found was a bit overwhelming, but it was worth attending to learn the basics of studying my Masters with Griffith.
Student Connect
After the postgraduate session, I went to the library to line up at the Student Connect service, as I needed to take a photo for my student ID. At this time, photos for student ID and student cards were still taken at the Student Connect stalls, while currently all student ID documents are processed online. As soon as I was nicely supported by the Student Connect team to get my documents done, I then gave myself a tour of the library as a celebration for a successful first day of O-week. I took some pictures of myself in the library to send back to my parents in Vietnam.
Market Day
Another activity that I joined during that first O-Week was walking around and experiencing the different stalls at the O-Week Festival Market Day. There were food stalls, sports stalls, careers and employment stalls, uni clubs and associations and more.
Of all of the amazing stalls, the one that caught my eye the most was a very special stall that had small Australian animals such as reptiles, frogs, and sugar gliders. I remembered I could not take my eyes off the animals and automatically I was hypnotised! The stall’s staff were very friendly walked me through steps to prepare for touching the animals. First, students had to sanitise their hands, then the staff showed us how to gently pet our little friends. I took tonnes of photos but I was too excited that most of them came out blurry!
Griffith Mates
By this stage after joining a number of events already on campus, I felt that I was fairly comfortable finding different buildings around the campus. However, I then realised I was wrong as I got lost on the campus! I needed a Campus Tour, so I registered for a tour with the Griffith Mates at Nathan campus. This event is executed by the Student Guild team at the Gold Coast campus.
The Griffith Mates were super welcoming to students and thoroughly directed us around the campus. After the Campus Tour the Mates hosted a Twilight City Walking Tour that I decided to join, since I had not been anywhere yet except home and uni. The tour was awesome as they showed us around South Bank in the city.
I managed to make some friends at this event which was so good as part of my studying experience. The Griffith Mates also runs the Twilight tours at the Gold Coast campus which I had a chance to join once became a volunteer for Griffith Mates during my studies. I definitely recommend jumping on one of these tours with my Griffith Mates friends.
Upcoming O-Week
This upcoming O-Week at Griffith is so special for students and volunteers as well, because it will be the first O-Week welcoming international students back on-campus, since the Australian borders opened to eligible international students in January, 2022.
It was fantastic welcoming international students studying online for the past two years., however the Mates are so excited to meet students face-to-face this year as well.
The Student Guild, What’s On at Griffith and the Griffith Mates teams have come up with amazing events this year, including Welcome Booths, free O-Week bags, campus tours and more. There are variety of events that are running both online and on-campus.
I am thrilled to be on campus at O-Week this year, as it will be my last O-Week Festival before I say my farewells to Griffith and graduate from my Masters degree.
I am looking forward to meeting new people and some familiar faces, and I cannot wait to try new activities that the uni is offering this Trimester.
For more information about O-Week, follow the links below!
Best wishes,
Chau.
GOLD COAST O-WEEK FESTIVAL – 7-11 MARCH, 2022
visit gugcstudentguild.com.au for bookings and event information.
What’s happening at the Gold Coast campus during Tri 1, 2022 O?week?
WATER POLO
Come and dip your toes in a game of Social Sport water polo. Join new mates for a refreshing game in the Aquatic Centre pool. Plus be in with a chance to win entry for a full season of Social Sport.
Monday March 7, 2022 at 6 ? 7 pm at the Aquatic Centre (G45).
OBS! Register through gugcstudentguilds website.
POP CULTURE VIRTUAL TRIVIA
For those who might not haven’t been able to arrive at Campus yet, or just want to study online somewhere in the world;
Think you know all things pop culture? Test your knowledge at our virtual trivia and you could score a free meal with Uber Eats vouchers up for grabs!
Monday March 7, 2022 at 7 ? 8.30 pm AEST on ZOOM.
OBS! Register through gugcstudentguilds website.
O?WEEK FESTIVAL
This is one O?Week event you won’t want to miss. Visit the Library Lawn (G11) for awesome stalls, tons of freebies, club sign?on, games, campus tours and heaps more! Plus, pick up your free O?Week bag.
Tuesday March 8, 10 ? 3 pm at the Library Lawn (G11).
ROOFTOP ROLLER DISCO
The studentguild are paying homage to the disco days of the 70s at the Rooftop Roller Disco. There will be DJ tunes, free entry, skate hire and carnival games with prizes up for grabs.
No need to register, just rock up!
Tuesday, March 8, from 6.30 pm ? 9.30 pm at the Carpark Roof (G55).
MATES IN MINUTES
Meet new mates in mere minutes with speed friending! Answer interesting questions, get to know other students and enjoy a free BBQ lunch.
Wednesday March 9, 10 ? 12 pm and again from 4 pm ? 5 pm at the Function Centre (G07).
DIVE IN MOVIE NIGHT
Another exciting event we think is a fun opportunity to try something new!
Dive into a chill movie night at the Aquatic Centre! Sit back and relax on a pool ring, grab some free popcorn and soft drink and enjoy a free movie on the big screen.
No need to register, just rock up.
Wednesday, March 9, from 7 ? 10 pm at the Aquatic Centre (G45).
UNI BAR KICK OFF
There’s nothing quite like a night at the Uni Bar. Come along and experience the atmosphere for yourself at the Uni Bar’s first big event of the year.
There’ll be free entry, live music, drink specials, free buses to the official afterparty and more. Valid proof of age ID is required for entry.
No need to register, just rock up.
Thursday, March 10 from 7 ? 11.30 pm at The Uni Bar (G07).
SOCCER
Who doesn’t love a friendly game of soccer? Don’t miss this Come & Try Social Sport event to meet new mates and have a kick around the Athletics Track (G44). Plus be in with a chance to win entry for a full season of Social Sport.
Friday, March 11 from 4 ? 5 pm at the Athletics Track (G44).
Register through gugcstudentguilds website.
BEACH PARTY
COLLECT YOUR FREE O?WEEK BAG
Who doesn’t love freebies? If there’s one thing you do at orientation, make sure you pick up your Student Guild O?Week bag! It’s jam?packed with student essentials to help you stay organised for the year ahead. Plus it comes with a student voucher booklet – your key to awesome discounts both on and off-campus.
Register to collect your free bag at @gugcstudentguild’s website.
Pick up is from March 8 ? 10th. from 10 ? 3 pm at the Library Lawn (G11).
visit gugcstudentguild.com.au for bookings and event information.
BRISBANE O-WEEK FESTIVAL – 7-11 MARCH, 2022
Visit griffith.edu.au/whats-on for bookings and event information.
What’s happening at the Nathan campus during Tri 1, 2022 O?week?
INFO BOOTH AT NATHAN CAMPUS
Check?in with the student team at the Information Booth 8:30am ? 3:00pm daily in the Arrivals Plaza, and hit them up for details on free events, activities and sporting opportunities across the year.
Monday ? Friday, March 7 ? 11, 8:30am ? 3:00pm in the Arrivals Plaza.
ONLINE FAST FRIENDS + TRIVIA
Join Griffith online to meet some new friends with our speed friending session (or maybe just some new Insta followers!), then put those new friends to the test during a trivia round.
Did we mention there were also prizes?
Wednesday, March 9, from 6 ? 8 pm on Zoom.
O?WEEK FESTIVAL MARKET DAY
Come along to the best day on campus as the centre of the University is converted into a giant street market complete with live performances, roving entertainment, product sampling, and countless stalls. All students from any campus are welcome.
Thursday, March 10 from 10 ? 2 pm at Nathan campus.
DIVE IN MOVIE NIGHT
Dive in the pool, or lounge in the grandstand, for Griffith’s free screening via a giant poolside inflatable screen. They also got the munchies covered with FREE popcorn & fairy floss.
Join the poolside from 6:00pm.
Thursday, March 10, from 6 pm at Mt Gravatt Aquatic and Fitness Centre.
ONLINE INFO SESSIONS
Can’t make it to campus for O-Week? Join us online for a series of live Q&A sessions with different areas of interest ranging from free events and activities to sports & clubs.
Monday and Tuesday, March 7 and 8, from 5 pm.
visit griffith.edu.au/whats-on for bookings and event information.
