Afis Info day 2014

RNIS was invited to attend AFIS Info Day at the Multicultural Hall last weekend by AFIS

This day was so much fun and fantastic. There was heaps of Information given-in fact it was information overload.

Some tips mentioned
Working in Australia
Lots of students will want part time jobs whilst here but there are a lot of dodgy employers. You may have read about the case with Daiso.
Students should know their rights and the law when it comes to working in Australia. Getting an ABN is illegal but you do need a Tax file number to work. Paying people under the minimum wage is not okay, again its illegal
You need to network with people and you need some work experience to get a job in Australia. Employers now want people with experience. One way could be is to start a blog and that blog needs to be a professional one. You can also be invited to many bloggers events.
Where can I find a job? Look at your unviersity's career hub

Living in Australia
There were lots and lots of useful tips and we will cover them in the next few months, but one thing that is most important is communication with your flatmates and landlord.
Payment is another thing. You bond must go to the bond authority. They keep the bond until you move out and then they will give it back to you provided you have not damaged the property and paid the rent on time. If you can't pay on time then tell the landlord. Give them an email, as written communication is a lot better. Keep a paper trail whenever you communicate with the landlord. The landlord is usually understanding if the rent is late

For next years one I'd like to have an open champagne bar (sponsored by one of the champagne companies)

Many thanks to AFIS for having us.

Should RMIT have iPads in their classrooms

RMIT will soon be a virtually wireless and paperless university. SAB already is a computerless campus with students having to get their own devices. Very soon RMIT may be going the same way as Trinity. We investigate this issue and weigh up the pros and cons

iPads and iPhone from mashable.com.

Trinity college and iPads

Trinity college has done a pilot study and it has proved to be successful. But it does have its downsides though such as distractions and limitations

RMIT University
RMIT University is a technology focused uni which focus heavily on design and IT as well as media. It does have WI-FI and many students own devices

Should RMIT have iPads in all of their classrooms?

There are both pros and cons to this. One of the pros is faster delivery and much better interactions between the students and tutors. Students don't have to purchase the hard copy books at the books, they can now purchase e-books. There are no queues online and students can have the book within minutes.

In the report it said that Trinity staff found that there was less paper and printing. RMIT is committed to be environmentally friendly.

The donwside is distractions. Too often I see in the lecture that many students are distracted by Facebook and Twitter. If RMIT can limit its use on the iPad to say about 100MB of it per month per student then that would mean more concentration and less failures.

The other downside is about English.  Too often many International students when they come to Melbourne don't speak good English and don't write well. The iPad as mentioned in the report said that the student's English could be worse off.

 Our recommendations is that maybe RMIT should have them in the tutes but not so much in the lectures as students might find it hard to concentrate in the lectures

What do you think about this issue? Share your thoughts below.

MSFW: Opening night and day- our highlights

 Last week RNIS went to Opening night as part of the Melbourne Spring fashion festival. Here are some of the highlights.

Free drinks
Both Emporium and Melbourne Central had free drinks but the Emporium had a better selection with a champagne and a cocktail bar. They really lashed out with this

Emporium's cocktails

Maison Tsumiki's champagne

Capi

Free lollies and sweets
Review had provided free lolly bags for their customers. It was pink and customers can take how much lollies they wanted.

Emporium provided macaroons and a huge sweet bar on Saturday which was popular with their customers.

Entertainment
Both Emporium and Melbourne Central had Dj's but Emporium had a better one on Saturday night which played some decadent tunes and we were happy to dance the night away.

Melbourne Central had a cool light show but we were on our way home.

The Mimco stores had the skill game but you had to be a member. Emporium had this too and you had to sign up to their E- newsletter. The queues were long.

As for the treasure hunt we heard that it was not great.

On Saturday kids were entertained with the free colouring station that Emporium had

Sampling and offers
Many places offered lots of freebies, but the ones that was a highlight was the Alannah Hill High tea and the T2's sampling.  We got to take home a goody bag thanks to Emporium with lots of hair stuff. Emporium that day had lots of hair and makeup demos in their centre. Not so much for Melbourne central but they did have a cupcake wonderbar where it was $6 to make a dessert.

At the style bar

At the Coffee beanery customers who spent $30 or more took away a free goodie bag full of coffee products

Topshop knows how to party

At Loccitane customers were treated to a free facial

High tea (above and bottom) at Alannah hill

Tea samples at Perfect potion

Free 2 for 1 offer if customers spent $60 or more at Crabtree and Evelyn

What was your favourite highlight at the Opening night?

Mamame

Mamame is in East Richmond, just a stones walk away from the train station. It is five minutes from the city hence it is in zone 1.

The owner there was a lovely talkative guy and they have just opened for lunch last week hence not many people coming by.

At lunchtime it was fairly quiet but the owner says that sometimes trade is good, other times not so. But dinner is great.

They are giving a 15% discount for ohyeahdiscount members and a 25% off the total bill for Entertainment members

The place is open and very friendly. The cuisine is Japanese and Korean with a modern twist

The octopus salad had a little bit too much dressing. They should put it on the side rather than on the plate. But other than that the tomatos are fresh and octopus was perfect.

The bibimbab was perfect. AT $14 you can choose between the spicy, veg or egg ones. The rice was not charred at the bottom. The veggies were fresh but I think it would be better if the salt was mixed in.

Buns (left), Bibimbab (right)

The char siu buns were perfect but were messy. Some hand towels would be nice, seeing as this is meant to be eaten with hands. But the meat was tender.

Do come in and see for yourself. And for lunch you'll be out within 45 minutes. They will be on Dimmi soon.

La Luna Bistro

RNIS was invited to dine at La Luna Bistro by Dimmi

La Luna Bistro is in Carlton and its a few doors up from the Carlton baths ( going towards Brunswick) It is also around the corner from Princes st tram stop.

One Sunday when I was at the baths and Jom Lepak I saw this place and wanted to try. When Dimmi asked us I thought well great. So I booked it for 12pm on a quiet Wednesday which was sunny but cold.

La Luna is surrounded by the lovely plants and houses in Carlton which remind me of the country. Inside it is country like and there is an open kitchen. It is run by Adrian Richardson of Masterchef.

A lot of locals love to visit the place. The place is known for good and hearty Italian fare and steak and the friendly waitress who wore a cute denim apron. She was so down to earth. But the service was rather slow and the wait between the entree and mains was long.

A close up shot of my oyster- IT WAS JUST THAT GOOD!

I had to have their oyster. At $4.50 it was a bit steep for a small oyster. I was expecting bigger but I loved the salt and the onion garnish.

For drink whilst most people had wine I had a blood orange juice ($4.50). It was the only non alcoholic drink besides the soft drink that they could recommend. It was refreshing and lovely for a summers day.

The tasting plate ($16 for half) was really good and the chefs had put a lot of work into this. There were quite few different salamis and ham as well lovely crispbreads. I loved the onion and the capisicum.

Crispbread to go with the meat

The gnocchi which some people may think its too small for $25 was moreish. The gnocchi was handmade and they used fresh cheeses. The only downside is the garlic. They put too much of that in there.

Gnocchi

Bread with extra virgin olive oil

The bread was great too. It was warm and fresh.

I'd love to come back and try the steak. Now I see why the locals love it.

Rating: 17/20- A long and leisurely lunch.