This paper will re
port on recent ac
tivities in the Faculty of Bu
siness and Law in Victoria
University (VU), Australia, t
hat support the
transition of internati
onal students many of
whom have learnt English as
a foreign language in a highly
formal setting and who often
have limited opportun
ities to speak to
domestic students
in a social setting. The central
purpose of the Faculty’
s activities is to e
ngage international studen
ts in extra-curricular
programs that aim to improve
their English proficiency, in
crease their c
onfidence and
provide a common space for domes
tic and international students to
interact. Social, cultural
and linguistic support be
yond the classroom is
necessary for academic
success and a positive
educational experience. This
paper particularly
focuses on th
e Faculty’s “Have a Chat”
program run by the Tr
ansition officer and disc
usses what happens, w
ho participates and,
most importantly, what
international
students have to
say about it.   ---Conference held:  Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, 28 June-1 July 2011