ISANA

Angela Liew

Abstract: The foremost concerns of most international Asian students were disappointments with their academic performance and their lack of fluency in English. There was a huge gap between their own expectations and reality, and was primarily caused by cultural misunderstanding and language inadequacy. However, such gap also created unnecessary performance pressures, prevented meaningful interaction and integration between international and local students, and generated feelings of rejections and isolations. Placing appropriate support mechanisms and training opportunities could address many of these issues.

Even though all students needed support and care, it was much more effective and efficient to address a specific ethnic group and adopt strategies of their cultures. As a result, a support and care programme called Ongoing Support for Asian Students (OSAS) was initiated and implemented to raise awareness, communicate issues to students to encourage and equip them to do well academically as well as overall in the long term. OSAS organised many activities in the attempt to achieve its missions.

This paper focuses on one particular support implementation that aims to develop strong relationships between Asian students, cultivate community care and group dynamics, extend social and communication skills, provide leadership internship, and build much self-confidence in themselves.

Key Words: International education, international students, Asian students, pastoral care, educative care.

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