AS the nervous wait begins for students who hope to get into university this year, on hand to help international students prepare for higher education in Australia is Denise Costello.
Ms Costello, of Sans Souci, volunteers for the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) as an English "conversational leader" for international students.
For the past year, she has helped several young students who have chosen to enrol in tertiary studies in Australia.
The university's Higher Education Language Presentation Support (HELPS) service gives students the opportunity to benefit from increasing their English speaking and writing, alongside a tutor.
The program provides academic language, literacy and social skills to support students from UTS.
Ms Costello designs and presents weekly sessions to help develop confidence and their inter-cultural understanding, so that they can learn about Australian workplace culture.
Sessions are delivered in a relaxed environment.
"Students come along to this program to become more proficient in the English language," Ms Costello said.
"One of my students (pictured) who I've been helping on her assignments, is from Nepal, and she is studying engineering.
"The students can be quite lonely, so the program also gives them a chance to make friends.
"It is also a rewarding experience for me.
"I see and hear students improve, and because they are from all over the world, I learn about different and interesting cultures."
Details: 0438 511 710.
