ISANA

Shereen Ghobrial

Abstract: Each year, the University of Queensland opens its doors to thousands of new international students.
Although Student Support Services at the University of Queensland introduce international students to some essential safety issues relating to their new environment within the first few days after arrival, it has become apparent that given the number of avoidable critical accidents over the past few years, more specific information was needed to ensure students are made…

Gavin Sanderson

Abstract: This paper reports on research undertaken in a university department to determine if academic staff used a range of theory-based practical teaching strategies that are promoted to assist international students adjust to Australian academe and support their learning. The department has an enrolment of 50 per cent international students and is located at a medium-size Australian university that is in the planning phase of internationalising its teaching and learning activities. A ‘mixed…

Samantha Thompson

Abstract:  The goal for all institutions is to look at ways to develop integration and interaction as soon as
a student is engaged at the offer stage. The Course guides are colourful the resources of
reading materials are a plenty. However, in many cases the majority of students that we are
trying to connect with have English as a second language. So with the plethora of
information we send…

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…

Sidoryn, Tristana and Slade, Jo

Abstract:  Transition is an area which is critical to the overall student experience in higher education, from
students’ entry into university to exit from the university. The University of South Australia has developed
and implemented various strategies to respond to the needs of international students studying business
degrees. The needs identified relate to international students’ feeling part of the university community,
level of interaction with other…

Gresham, Ruth and Walsh, Jeannette

Abstract: This paper explores the development of resources for the increasing population of Muslim students within the Newcastle area, where the cultural and linguistic diversity of the population is quite narrow compared to the national population. Collaboration between the Newcastle Muslim Association, TAFE, Department of Education & Training, the Northern Settlement Services (formerly the Migrant Resource Centre) and the University has resulted in the development of a resource to give…

Paul Stock, Janeen Mills, Terry McGrath

Abstract:  An important feature for universities and other tertiary providers. The value of sponsoring pre preparation
programmes to assist international graduates in their transition from study to work and re-entry to home or
other new environments is of inestimable value to the education institution and to its students. The good
will generated and the connectiveness for a long term alumni generated adds greatly to the esteem…

Cassandra Colvin , Fozzil Jaffar, Peter iMtchell, Nicholas Tan, Vanessa Trovato

Abstract: Edith owan University ’s International student support team was recently awarded a Carrick Award for Australian University Teaching for its program “ECU ’s International student orientation: model of collaboration, inclusiveness and student-iinformed planning ”.

The award was announced 4 October by the Federal Minister or education, science and Training, The Hon. Julie Bishop and the University will receive a $225000 grant. The program…

Mr Wai Ken Wong, Mr Douglas Tsoi, Ms Wesa Chau, Mr Amgad Elmahdi, Mr Darren Li

Abstract: International students studying in Australia bring with them a diversity of cultural views, values and
observations. Adapting to a country such as Australia poses as a challenge for international students
due to the difference in culture and values. Not only are they faced with the issues of becoming
accustomed to a different set of views,…

Cherry Grimwade

Melbourne has one of the highest proportion of international students of any municipal area in the
world. The City of Melbourne recognises and values the presence and contribution that international
students make to the social and cultural life of Melbourne. In 2006, there were over 21,000
international students who were living and/or studying in the municipality and this figure has
continued to grow. The increasing presence of international students…

Dr Mary Roberts

Abstract: Many academic staff members find assessing written work by international students to be frustrating and
worrying. “Should I correct the language errors or stick only to the academic topic?”, “Should I correct all the
errors or only some?”, “Should I correct any errors at all?” and “Why doesn’t it seem to make any difference
to the students’ written English, no matter what I do?”. Partly because of teachers’…

Lorraine Macmaster, Annalise Tindal

Abstract: Graduation celebrates the completion or the commencement of an academic career. It has been considered a rite of passage in which we emphasize confronting new responsibilities, opportunities and threats and adjusting to the nostalgia of leaving a familiar scene. At PIBT and CIC, International students can fast track to their 2nd year of University by completing their Diploma. As Student Advisors at these Colleges we are particularly involved with the…

Carol Dalglish, Christian Haker, Lynda Lawson, Peter Nelson and Martin Reese

Abstract: Australian universities are welcoming an increasingly diverse range of international students and they are doing this in the context of increasing international competition for these students. It is vital that our institutions are clear about the nature of the learning experience that they are offering students. Not just the content, but the learning processes, and challenges of daily life. University marketing activities…

Shanton Chang

Abstract:  This paper discusses ways in which student interaction and integration may be
achieved through curriculum design. It approaches the challenge of localinternational
student interaction by addressing the shortcomings of traditional
curriculum development that may not take into consideration the diversity of the
student cohort adequately. The paper highlights and integrates important
considerations for internationalisation with various key issues in curriculum
development, including; rationale and philosophy behind…

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…

Choi, Serene Hyun-Jin, Nieminen, Timo A., Bartylla, C., Bertrand, D., Gong, Y. X., Huber, E., Krüger, K., and Therkildsen, K.

Abstract: We explore the experiences, both positive and negative, of six visiting research students in physics in an Australian university. We consider their motivations for coming to Australia, their take-home impressions of their visits, and what institutions can do to maximise the success of such visits for both the…

Kathryn Richardson and Assoc. Prof. Rosalind Hurworth

Abstract: Fitting into a new culture brings many preconceived expectations and uncertainties, particularly for students who are also navigating the complications of adolescence. As adolescents, international students attending secondary schools still require the help and confidence of adults who they respect and with whom they can confide safely. This paper reports some of the findings from a survey and interviews investigating the needs of…

Helen Forbes-Mewett

Abstract: Though the social and economic security of international students is an important factor influencing student and parent decisions regarding where to access international education, researchers have paid little attention to defining the notion of "security". Drawring on literature from a range of fields, the current paper is used to advance the concept of cultural difference and relocation. These issues are contexualised within the rising international educational market and how pastoral care is…

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…

Dr Shanton Chang and Dr Sophie Arkoudis

Abstract: This paper focuses on unpacking the myths and assumptions around engagement between international and local students. By exploring current literature on socialisation and practices within the higher education sector, the discussion will concentrate on possible research agendas in the area of socialisation and localinternational student engagement. The paper will highlight some of the strengths of current literature and practice as well as some of the gaps that…