Abstract: In response to globalisation, the number of students engaging in studies abroad and cross-cultural
living has significantly increased. This paper explores the extent to which social isolation and
loneliness is evident within international student’ cohorts, and further examines the advantages of
using technological communication to decrease the feeling of social isolation and loneliness within
international student groups. The advantages and disadvantages of applying different methods of
technological communication will be evaluated, whilst focussing on the effectiveness and efficiency of
the technology from a student and a staff perspective. The particular forms of technological
communication examined include: web-based newsletters and online discussion boards and
announcement pages.
Experiences gained by the International Student Support staff at one of the University of Newcastle’s
smaller campuses is triangulated with quantitative and qualitative data gathered from students across
the University.
Keywords: International students, social isolation, loneliness, technology, communication
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 in the city has contributed to a
resurgence of city living and council works closely in partnership with tertiary institutes, peak bodies
and international students themselves to ensure that their health and well-being needs are met, and
they have opportunities to participate and engage in the social and cultural life of the city.
In 2008, the City of Melbourne held three forums with representatives from state and local
government, peak bodies, educational institutions and residents groups. These forums identified the
key issues for international students in the municipality in relation to social inclusion, safety and
accommodation, and provided an opportunity to discuss future partnership strategies and initiatives.
This presentation will outline the key findings from these forums. Social isolation and difficulties
integrating into Australian life are two key issues that are commonly identified by international
students and key stakeholder groups. The City of Melbourne Welcome to International Students held
in April 2008 will be highlighted as an example of how council has attempted to address this issue in
collaboration with those involved in international education. A short film about the event will be
screened as part of the presentation.
Abstract: Most institutions of higher education in the U.S. acknowledge that the future workforce of America depends on a
citizenry that is sensitive to, and aware of, global issues. The broad assumption in academia is that studying
abroad promotes such a worldview, yet there is a lack of theoretical applications supporting this assertion. We
propose a conceptual framework (based on the value-belief-norm models of behavior) for exploring the
transformational impact of educational-travel study abroad programs on pro-environmental behaviors and
global citizenship. The experiential programs, modelled on an approach developed at the University of Georgia
(see http://pacific.uga.edu) and now offered by several other institutions (through a consortium-based
approach), collectively provide study abroad opportunities for ~700 students a year, and aim to foster a respect
and humility for the peoples and environments of the world: Building an understanding and awareness of the
interaction of cultural diversity (including indigenous perspectives) and environmental conservation.
Keywords: Global citizenship, study abroad, educational travel, South Pacific
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 NEAS Management Conference. Since then numbers of Middle
Eastern students has increased at LTUIC, and some of the issues identified continue to present
themselves, and attempts are made to resolve them systemically as well as on a case by case
basis.
Abstract: International education is a major contributor to the Australian economy. By the end of
2007, it was ranked third, after coal and iron ore, as an export earner, having overtaken
tourism to become the most successful service industry in Australia. The financial
success of the industry, however, overshadows other aspects of the trade in education.
In this paper, I focus on the role of government policy in international education, and its
effect on overseas students. Government policy decisions regarding the IELTS
(International English Language Testing System) testing regime, and the linking of
education and immigration, have had a major impact on international students. As part of
a research project at my workplace, an ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for
Overseas Students) college in Sydney, I conducted a series of interviews to determine the
students’ reactions to policy decisions and to other aspects of their lives and studies here.
The interviewees were teachers and students in IELTS preparation classes. These classes
prepare students for the IELTS test, which can be used for entry to university or college,
or for immigration purposes. The student responses are presented here as narratives, each
being a different perspective on the lived experience of international education in
Australia. Through these narratives, the impact of the export trade in education on
students is presented and analysed in the context of government policy on trade and
education.
