International Student Leadership and Ambassador (ISLA) Program
2015 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Student Leadership and Ambassador (ISLA)
Program?


The International Student Leadership and Ambassador (ISLA) Program 2015 aims to
increase the positive experience of all international students through training student
Ambassadors to actively participate in the city life and build Sydney’s reputation as a
preferred destination to study.
The ISLA program offers free training, workshop and volunteering opportunities to
enhance international student leadership, communication and project management
skills, which become transferable to their future careers. Participants will have an
opportunity to make new friends while getting involved in local events and activities
through volunteering.
Why should I join?





ISLA is an award winning program – it received the NSW Government International
Student Community Engagement Award - Business/ Government category in 2014.
You will have an opportunity to participate in a range of free training and work with
other international students to make a difference to the community.
The program offers you opportunity to network and work with a range of council staff,
community organisations and other local and international student groups.
Our ISLA Ambassadors say that ISLA helped them to find employment and improve
their communication skills.
Upon successful completion of ISLA you will receive official recognition by City of
Sydney.
How do I apply?


To become an ISLA Ambassador you have to be eligible for the program – please
refer to the Eligibility Criteria in the ISLA Position Description. If your response to all
of the criteria is ‘yes’ you can proceed to completing the ISLA Application form online.
You must respond to all of the Selection Criteria questions and be available during all
the Compulsory Training and Orientation Program dates, Project Planning
Workshops and a minimum of 80% of all ISLA Project Planning Steering Committee
meetings and volunteer activities.
How are participants selected?



It will be a competitive process and it will focus on how you address the selection
criteria.
Commitment is a key factor in selection – the desire and determination to commit to
the program, to your own learning and development, to other participants, to making
a difference and to the broader community. Selection for Sydney Leadership is
competitive and places will be offered to up to 40 participants.
The selection process will consider a broad and diverse range of candidates, i.e.
students representing different cultures, education institutions and life experiences.
Is there a fee associated with the application/participation in ISLA?

There is no application or participation fee for The ISLA Program.
Will I be paid to be ISLA Ambassador?

The ISLA Program is an honorary and voluntary position and no pay will be offered to
participants. However, you will receive a variety of free training and skill
development.
What is the commitment to the ISLA program?

Over the course of the program you will be expected to attend a number of training,
workshops and voluntary activities many of which will take place at weekends.
Please refer to the Position Description and Events Schedule on the ISLA main page
for all training and event dates.
I am not able to attend some of the Compulsory Training and Orientation
Program due to work/study/family commitments. What can I do?

We understand that it is challenging to balance between different commitments.
However, to ensure the integrity of the program that applicant must be able to attend
all of the program requirements in order to stay in the program as the City’s
Ambassador.
I will graduate from my studies in 2015. Am I still eligible for the ISLA
Program?


You must be enrolled as an international student for the whole duration of the ISLA
Program (February 2015 – September 2016).
We encourage anyone who is not eligible or successful for the ISLA Program to join
the Friends of ISLA network. Information about Friends of ISLA network will be
released in February 2015.
Will I automatically become the City’s International Student Ambassador
once I get accepted into the program?

No. You need to complete the training and Orientation Program and Project
Management workshops before you get inducted in the graduation ceremony as an
ISLA Ambassador. This is to ensure that you have the right skills, knowledge and
commitment to fulfil this important role.
How do I find out more?

Find out more by talking to our ISLA Ambassadors! You can contact ISLA on
isla@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au or 02 92467874. We are more than happy to answer
any questions on the phone or by email.