Study Melbourne, the Victoria state government’s student-oriented marketing body, has launched an online tool that allows international and domestic students to see first-hand what it is like to study and live in Victoria.
‘My Story’ uses user-submitted data to generate a personalised video ‘brochure’ that previews daily life as a student in the state.
Prospective students can choose from a number of courses as well as lifestyle options such as accommodation and transportation, which determines which ‘mix-and-match’ segments are incorporated into the video.
For example, the viewer can follow a student driving or cycling around the city, cooking with students in shared accommodation or greeting a host family, and touring an art gallery or exploring the pier.
Despite there being a lot of information available to students online, it can be difficult to imagine life abroad, Study Melbourne said.
To address this, the tool offers students a glimpse into what everyday life is like in and outside the classroom, as the viewer watches students eating, studying and socialising together, and shows the viewer around the city, along with some of its best cafés, bars and other popular student destinations.
It also showcases the Study Melbourne Student Centre, which provides support, information and welfare services to international students.
“This tool allows users to explore education campuses, shared-house living and Victoria’s regional attractions, to name a few,” Study Melbourne said in a statement.
“By doing this they can build a personalised video based on education and lifestyle aspirations that can be shared with friends and family.”
The ‘My Story’ launch follows other city marketing initiatives across Australia, including the Gold Coast international student ambassador programme and Study Brisbane’s Student Stories showing a day in the life of an international student.
Study Perth also has an ongoing, bilingual blog series written by international students, sharing their experiences of moving abroad and studying in the city.
