ISANA

Ly Thi Tran

Abstract: The case study reported in this paper has examined the of adaptation of international postgraduate students from China and Vietnam in two disciplines, Education and Economics, at an Australian university. It focuses on how individual students mediated their disciplinary writing practices and their personal values. Based on the discussion of the students’ experiences, it will be argued that the accommodating process they go through seems complex and multifaceted. The study highlights…

Ruth Gresham and Jeannette Walsh

Abstract: The University of Newcastle has taken a proactive approach in promoting interactions between international
Muslim students, staff of the University and members of the broader community. The development of networks
has been integral to a number of projects and has been vital in connecting students to the community.
Through these networks, three resources were collaboratively developed. Their focus was on assisting
international Muslim students…

Dianne Jonasson

Abstract:  When International students from non-English speaking backgrounds (INESB students) choose to study in an Australian university, they come, like any student, with hopes, expectations, and understandings. Their teachers also have hopes, expectations, and understandings regarding these students. In fact, it appears that students and teachers are generally hoping for the same things, namely, that students will pass their subjects, understand the concepts, and improve their English. However, while both parties appear to…

Chris Nyland, Helen Forbes-Mewett, Simon Marginson, Gaby Ramia, Erlenawati Sawir, Sharon Smith

Abstract: The growth of the international education market has generated a community of student-workers that is vulnerable, growing and under-researched. Drawing on interviews with 200 international students, we show that a very high proportion of these students are employed and that this workforce is segmented and that while all student workforces are segmented, many international students must accept forms of work and levels…

Neera Handa

Abstract:  Australian universities, providing higher education to the multicultural cohort of their local as well as international students mirror the plethora of colour and creed of Australian society. Multitudes of international students besides bringing their diverse culture along bring substantial monetary benefits to this country. Many Asian students continue to choose Australia as their first choice to study abroad because of its proximity to Asia as well as because of its cheaper dollar.…

Jodie Caruana

Abstract: The University of New South Wales initiated a weekend ‘Orientation Getaway’ for international students in 2005. The program was coordinated by International Student Services (ISS) and facilitated with the help of ISS Peer Mentors. The program aimed to enhance both the group and individual needs of students during their critical transition phase.

At the group level the ‘Orientation Getaway’ developed a sense of belonging and built support networks within the international community…

Beatrice Merrick

Abstract: In 2006, Tony Blair launched the second phase of his Prime Minister’s Initiative for International Education, aiming to increase and diversify inward mobility to the UK, to build partnerships at institutional and national level with key target countries and to improve the quality of the international student experience. This paper will look at how a range of UK partners are working to deliver…

Debra Langton

Abstract: Two years ago, under the duress of exponential growth in all areas, Macquarie International undertook a significant restructure. The redesign was driven by volume, resourcing issues (both financial and human), relationship management, marketing considerations and professional development opportunities for all staff. One of the major outcomes of the restructure was the creation of Macquarie Abroad, a specialised unit for all of Macquarie’s short term eg study abroad and exchange initiatives. In light…

Waliul Islam, Helen Borland

Abstract: A look at the recent statistics will show that large numbers of students from South Asia
are now undertaking postgraduate studies in Australian universities. This paper, drawn from data collected for a broader study about South Asian postgraduate coursework students’ initial understandings, expectations of Australian postgraduate studies and their gradual adaptation experiences, will limit itself to analyzing a few themes that emerge in their initial expectations and…

Negotiating trust and respect: relationships between staff members at La Trobe
University International College and Middle Eastern Students

Usha Rao

Abstract:  This presentation is based on a very small action research project undertaken by the author at
La Trobe University International College (LTUIC) early this year when there were over 200
students from the Middle Eastern countries in ELICOS at LTUIC. The findings were first
presented in May, 2008 at the…

Kazuhiro Kudo

Abstract: This paper presents critical examination of the perceptions of intercultural learning among a group of Japanese undergraduate students who participated in a one-mmonth English as second Language ESL) programme at an Australian university. In contrast to the previous studies that mainly focus on an individual student ’s development of language and intercultural competency, the present study looks at intercultural earning as a discursive practice, and aims to propose a power-minded perspective of…

Peter Kell, Virginie Schmelitschek, Anne Maree Smith and Gillian Vogl

ABSTRACT:  This paper reports on a community action project that was developed by a
community committee to assist international students to feel more welcome in
Wollongong. Research with international students carried out since 2005 by Peter
Kell and Gillian Vogl found that international students who were well connected to
their communities experienced greater well being and performed better
academically. In…

Dr Mona Chung, Martin Kelliher, Dr Wendy Smith

Abstract: The higher education environment in Australia has undergone a radical change since the
1980s with the phenomenal increase in the intake of international students, particularly from what are referred to as Confucian Heritage Cultures (CHC): China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. Students from these countries view the Australian higher education system very favourably. The present increase in the proportion of full-fee paying students at…

Patricia McLean, Laurie Ransom

Abstract:  Ideally, the student experience of internationalisation in higher education is to become part of an intellectual environment which values diversity, fosters mutual understanding and respect and is responsive to diverse needs. From the perspective of higher education institutions across the world, international success depends on an institution’s ability to develop globally competent citizens who are comfortable with diversity both at home and abroad (Gilbert, 1995). This chapter focuses on student…

David Bycroft, Peter Spolc, Chris Everson, Sylvia Lewohl

Homestay is a wonderful, educational experience that provides an ideal opportunity to learn about another
culture. Each year both Australia and New Zealand open their doors to thousands of new international
students, many apply for homestay, believing it to be the very best way to experience a new environment.
Each student must have a safe, supportive place to live and each student must be…

Katerina Gauntlett

Abstract: The Gulf States have identified educational sponsorship as one of the most powerful means of building a better qualified national work force, with a view to redressing the overrepresentation of expatriates in the private sector. Over the past five to seven years, this has created an opportunity for Australian education providers to enrol Gulf Nationals who have been identified as the elite of their high school graduating cohort and sponsored to obtain…

Jim Elliott and Joyce L.Y. Chong

Abstract:  There is emphasis in some tertiary courses on in-class presentations as an important skill and as a means of assessment. Frequently, this appears in the first semester of a student’s enrolment. This may present especial issues for international students, particularly those from countries with significant cultural and linguistic differences to Australia. It may be somewhat confronting to not only have to make an adjustment to a new and…

Katrina Allitt

Abstract: This paper attempts to explore the stages of development that a homestay family goes through and the psychological significance of each stage. A family who is recruited to be a homestay provider for the first time needs guidance and support from an experienced professional as well as from other families who have been providing this service for a certain length of time. Two ‘new’ families have been selected and the stages they…

Lynda Lawson

Abstract: Designed and implemented as a joint project between International student services and the Research Students Centre and overseen by the Dean of Graduate Studies, RIS offers a series of intensive classes, presentations and workshops to new international research students at QUT. The core purpose of this program is to help international research students become familiar with the linguistic and academic expectations as well as the cultural conventions required to…

Takako Kishimoto and Susan Sandretto

Abstract:

Download Article