Support

The UniSA Global Opportunities team are here to help you, even if just for a quick phone call about how you’re going, or travel tips to help you get out and about. You should contact the Global Opportunities team if you require support for any reason, from your academic studies to personal reasons. You can email anytime, or if you prefer to call that’s ok too. You can leave a voicemail if you aren’t able to get through to us, and we’ll get back to you:

If you’re travelling with UniSA staff (if you’re on a study tour for example) let them know how you’re feeling. Even if they can’t provide specialised support, it can be helpful just to have a chat and have them understand what you are going through.

If you aren’t feeling comfortable enough to talk to anyone, or if you want to try some strategies by yourself first, look at the UniSA Counselling & Wellbeing Self-Help Resources here, where you can find strategies on coping with stress, enhancing motivation, and more.

As well as UniSA’s own services, there are heaps of other ways to access support while you’re overseas.

The University is partnered with The Global Society (TGS). TGS is a free resource for UniSA students which provides guides on many overseas study and travel matters and has great advice to help with culture shock and homesickness. TGS also lets you contact previous/current/future exchange students from both UniSA and other universities, allowing you to be part of a community of people who have gone through a similar experience and can provide advice.

You can find support through other channels as well, both at home as well as in your host country or city:

• If you’re enrolled with a University overseas, they probably have support services. If you’re not sure, approach their international office for the best advice on who to contact.
• Get in touch with family and friends back home and chat to them about how you’re going.
• Most countries will have crisis counselling lines (similar to Beyond Blue) you can call.
• If you can’t identify those phone numbers, contact the Australian Government Consular Services so they can advise you on local counselling services.
• Seek advice from a health practitioner or staff at your host university or host institution

Despite best intentions and best preparation, sometimes things just don’t go as planned and you might want to, or need to, come home early. If you’re in this situation, please contact the Global Opportunities Team before making any plans or decisions.

These situations are all unique, so there’s no ‘one-size fits all’ response. If you need to return early, you’ll probably need to consider the following:

Abroad

• If enrolled, does your host university have a withdrawal fee?
• What financial penalties are there with regard to your accommodation? If you’re breaking your lease, make sure you know how many weeks’ notice you're required to give.
• Will you be subject to any fees to reschedule return flights?

In Australia and at UniSA

• If you’re enrolled at UniSA, and the census date has already passed, you may end up receiving a Fail grade for those units and have to pay for the course.
• Will you be able to return to study at UniSA in the current semester or will you have to wait until the next Study Period?
• Will coming home early affect your future studies and graduation?
• Did you receive a scholarship/grant? Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to pay back any grants or scholarships you received.
• Do you have to do anything regarding Centrelink payments?

These are all things the Global Opportunities team will work through with you to help you make an informed decision. While we generally like to encourage students to stay and see out their program, we understand that’s not always possible. When it comes to harsher penalties (like failed grades for example) we’ll always consider extenuating circumstances on a case by case basis.