Thursday, 12 March 2009

The University of Western Australia has expanded a fourth exchange program with Italy having just hosted the first group of 14 short-term students from the Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, in Milan.

Now the relationship enables UCSC students to improve their English language skills through a five-week short-term program at the UWA Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT).

UCSC language student, 23 year old Silvia Daverio, described her study at CELT as a good experience.

"I first wanted to improve my English, know another culture and help open my mind up to a culture on the other side of the world," she said.

The young Italian is now hoping to return to UWA to do her thesis on Aboriginal language.

"I didn't know anything about Aboriginal culture when I arrived and now I am interested in the linguistic aspect."

According to Silvia Daverio Australians are polite, ordered and - except for the slang - easy to understand. Rottnest is the most beautiful place here and Eagle Bay has the most beautiful beach.

CELT caters for international students who need to improve their English, often ahead of undergraduate or postgraduate studies and welcomes groups from a number of countries including Japan, Korea and China.

The International Centre at UWA operates four student exchange programs in Italy - three in Milan, and one in Bologna. The programs allow students to study for one or two semesters in the respective Universities.

Nine students from Italy are currently studying in the UWA faculties of Law, Economics and Commerce and Architecture, Landscape Architecture & Visual Arts.  A corresponding number of UWA students will be taking up studies in Italy in 2010.

Media references

Silvia Daverio     (+61 4) 13 039 241
Millly Ingate (UWA International Centre)  (+61 8) 6488 3537
Dr Olivier Charpenay ( UWA CELT)  (+61 8) 6488 8540
Sally Ann Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8) 6488 7975  /  (+61 4) 20 790 098

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