Sporting fun for international students
More than 100 Japanese students from the Monash University English Language (MUELC) Consortium Program were recently given the opportunity to try sports such as cricket and Australian Rules football at two Fun Days hosted by Monash Sport.
The students, from Japanese institutions including Hitotsubashi University, Kyushu University, Nagoya University, Ochanomizu University, Osaka University, Saitama University, and Tokyo Gakugei University are attending a four week study program at MUELC.
The Fun Days were organised to expose the students to Australian sporting culture in a non-competitive, social environment. Students tried a variety of sports including Australian rules, cricket, netball, basketball and soccer, as well as team-building activities.
Marcia Larose, Sports Programs and Devleopment Coordiator at Monash Sport said that the Fun Days gave many students their first taste of popular Australian sports.
“It was great to see the students’ enjoyment as they learnt how to kick an AFL football and swing a cricket bat for the first time. There were plenty of bright smiles, no matter how successfully they could ‘drop punt’,” said Ms Larose.
"Sport is great way of bringing people together from various backgrounds as it is an international language - everyone can participate."
Monash Sport regularly hosts Fun Day as a part of Orientation Week. The event brings together new students from all Australian campuses and provides a friendly environment for interaction outside of the lecture hall.