The University of Wollongong (UOW) has formally welcomed its newly arrived international students. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading UOW held its "Welcome to Wollongong" event on its campus on Tuesday, August 20.

The new students were greeted by a litany of clubs, support networks and other students to help them adjust to uni life in a new environment. A snack bar was set up featuring Australian staples like pavlova, sausage rolls and even fairybread doughnuts. The main feature for the students though was getting to meet each other.

Xinchn Cheng is from China and is studying for a master's in human resource management. "It's going to take me around two years and I am very interested in this major, and I have some friends in Wollongong, so that's why I'm here." Ms Cheng says her main focus outside of her studies is to meet new people while in Australia.

"I'd like to meet some new friends, I think that's my main goal," she said. The sentiment was echoed by French student Anaelle Novella who is studying biology. "I really would like to discover the Australian culture and also the biodiversity of the country and meet new people," she said.

Ms Novella had thought about a number of factors when choosing UOW. "I thought the city was really beautiful and it was near the beach just like where I come from. "So I think it was a good idea and it was also a small city, so it should be nice, and it is.

" Computer science student Osaid Kasprowicz is fro.