Mo and Mos welcome new international students (Issue 14, 2011)
La Trobe University’s International Welcome Festival had a touch of celebrity glamour, as Mo and Mos from Australia’s Amazing Race opened an event on Saturday 16 July.
The International Welcome Festival is designed to familiarise new international students with the University and the City of Melbourne. The City Amazing Race saw new students race around the City on a scavenger hunt and was opened by Melbourne mates Mohammed EL-leissy and Mostafa Haroun.
Ms Liz Stinson, Director, La Trobe International, believes new international students in Melbourne, especially at this point in time, will value the opportunity to build a broader understanding that comes with knowledge of different cultures.
‘It has been a challenging time for some international students in Melbourne in the recent past, but with ambassadors like Mo and Mos showing us all that people of different faiths and backgrounds can of course work very well together, and on top of that, be funny, smart and very capable of winning the hearts of millions the future for enhancing mutual understanding between our students and their communities looks bright.
‘Fan favourites Mo and Mos are a great choice for the role as race openers, because in their time on television they have become role models for cultural and spiritual diversity and acceptance,’ said Ms Stinson.
Mo and Mos were excited for the event, and believe that welcoming international students into our great City is an important step toward harmonising different cultures and beliefs in Australia.
‘La Trobe University’s International Welcome Festival is a cool way for international students to feel welcome in our community when they first arrive,’ said Mo.
Students who participated in the event found it to be an incredible way to make friends and get to know the Campus and City of Melbourne. PhD student Selvaraaju Murugesan said that it was 'absolutely awesome'.
'It was absolutely awesome, the best Amazing Race I've ever participated in. My team surprised me by utilising both technology and local people's knowledge to find places!'
La Trobe University is dedicated to welcoming new international students to the City of Melbourne and the University. Visit latrobe.edu.au/international/predeparture for information on next year’s event and arriving in Melbourne.