FAQ
- What is the aim of the CFNP?
- Who are the local volunteers?
- What experience do I need to be a local volunteer?
- Who are the new to town students?
- Where is CFNP offered?
- How committed do I have to be to the CFNP?
- How long do matches last for?
- How many matches can I have?
- What happens if I have any problems in my match?
- How do I get involved?
What is the aim of the CFNP?
The Community Friends & Networks Programme seeks to support students who are ‘new to town’ to connect with their new community, and experience the real Tasmania during their stay or as they build a permanent life in the State.
Who are the new to town students?
New to town UTAS students refers to anyone who is new to Hobart or Launceston and feels they would benefit from getting to know the locals. CFNP supports students to develop friendships, connections and networks in the university and wider Tasmanian community. Whether you are an International Student, a migrant, or you are from interstate or regional Tasmania, we welcome you to be part of the CFNP.
Who are the local volunteers?
‘Locals’ include staff and students at UTAS, and individuals and families from the wider community who consider themselves local Tasmanians. You don’t need to have lived in Tassie for generations, just long enough to be able to provide local knowledge and friendship to someone who is new to our community.
Locals may also be groups of people such as sporting or service clubs who would like to offer support to an individual or small group of students by welcoming them into the organisation. Your interest in participating could be due to wanting to engage in language exchange, learn about other cultures, it could be study related, or just because you remember the feeling of being new and can offer friendship and support.
What experience do I need to be a local volunteer?
All you need is life experience! Your local CFNP Coordinator will assist you to develop and maintain your relationship with your match, and will be available throughout for support and advice.
Where is CFNP offered?
The CFNP is offered in both Hobart and Launceston. If you are a new to town student at any associated campus, including the AMC campus at Beauty Point and the Inveresk campus in Launceston, you can participate in this programme.
How committed do I have to be to the CFNP?
CFNP local volunteers offer friendship and local knowledge to new to town students. This may involve meeting for a coffee, sharing a home cooked meal, or sharing activities out and about. Any relationship needs regular contact to develop and grow, and it’s up to you and your match to find your own rhythm and what works when it comes to catching up. CFNP local volunteers are not expected to cover student expenses during activities and we are not able to provide reimbursements should you choose to do so.
How long do matches last for?
It’s up to you how long you and your match choose to connect for, but we would like you to be committed ideally for at least a few months to allow a relationship to develop naturally. CFNP aims to promote the development of sustained relationships between new to town students and locals. Of course, if you feel that you have been mismatched or are not comfortable in your match, there is no obligation to continue.
How many matches can I have?
As many as you like! If you are a local volunteer and would like to connect with more than one student, we can link you to a pair or group. If you are a new to town student, you can connect with an individual, family, couple, pair, or group. Just let us know what you would prefer when you register with the CFNP.
What happens if I encounter any problems during my match?
There may be issues within your match from time to time that you don’t feel you can resolve on your own. If this happens, you should contact your local CFNP Coordinator, and we will support you however we can. If you and the Coordinator feel the problem cannot be resolved, or if you feel uncomfortable in your match, we will end your connection. We can then find you a new match, but you are not obliged to continue with the programme and may exit the CFNP at any time.
How do I get involved?
Contact us and we will send you a registration package. We look forward to receiving your application. Great to have you on board!
The Community Friends & Networks Programme seeks to support students who are ‘new to town’ to connect with their new community, and experience the real Tasmania during their stay or as they build a permanent life in the State.
Who are the new to town students?
New to town UTAS students refers to anyone who is new to Hobart or Launceston and feels they would benefit from getting to know the locals. CFNP supports students to develop friendships, connections and networks in the university and wider Tasmanian community. Whether you are an International Student, a migrant, or you are from interstate or regional Tasmania, we welcome you to be part of the CFNP.
Who are the local volunteers?
‘Locals’ include staff and students at UTAS, and individuals and families from the wider community who consider themselves local Tasmanians. You don’t need to have lived in Tassie for generations, just long enough to be able to provide local knowledge and friendship to someone who is new to our community.
Locals may also be groups of people such as sporting or service clubs who would like to offer support to an individual or small group of students by welcoming them into the organisation. Your interest in participating could be due to wanting to engage in language exchange, learn about other cultures, it could be study related, or just because you remember the feeling of being new and can offer friendship and support.
What experience do I need to be a local volunteer?
All you need is life experience! Your local CFNP Coordinator will assist you to develop and maintain your relationship with your match, and will be available throughout for support and advice.
Where is CFNP offered?
The CFNP is offered in both Hobart and Launceston. If you are a new to town student at any associated campus, including the AMC campus at Beauty Point and the Inveresk campus in Launceston, you can participate in this programme.
How committed do I have to be to the CFNP?
CFNP local volunteers offer friendship and local knowledge to new to town students. This may involve meeting for a coffee, sharing a home cooked meal, or sharing activities out and about. Any relationship needs regular contact to develop and grow, and it’s up to you and your match to find your own rhythm and what works when it comes to catching up. CFNP local volunteers are not expected to cover student expenses during activities and we are not able to provide reimbursements should you choose to do so.
How long do matches last for?
It’s up to you how long you and your match choose to connect for, but we would like you to be committed ideally for at least a few months to allow a relationship to develop naturally. CFNP aims to promote the development of sustained relationships between new to town students and locals. Of course, if you feel that you have been mismatched or are not comfortable in your match, there is no obligation to continue.
How many matches can I have?
As many as you like! If you are a local volunteer and would like to connect with more than one student, we can link you to a pair or group. If you are a new to town student, you can connect with an individual, family, couple, pair, or group. Just let us know what you would prefer when you register with the CFNP.
What happens if I encounter any problems during my match?
There may be issues within your match from time to time that you don’t feel you can resolve on your own. If this happens, you should contact your local CFNP Coordinator, and we will support you however we can. If you and the Coordinator feel the problem cannot be resolved, or if you feel uncomfortable in your match, we will end your connection. We can then find you a new match, but you are not obliged to continue with the programme and may exit the CFNP at any time.
How do I get involved?
Contact us and we will send you a registration package. We look forward to receiving your application. Great to have you on board!