ISANA

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…

J. Kapnoullas, N Love, J Reidy

Abstract: Many people involved in Higher Education in Australia are currently discussing the many issues related to the quality of the large and complex field known as ‘international education’. This is not surprising, given that in 2003, a total of 136, 807 international students were studying onshore in Australia with another 73, 590 students enrolled offshore (Morris, 2004). Of particular importance to the students and their families, as…

Dr Zakir Rahmani

Abstract: In late 2006 AEI embarked on a benchmarking nation-wide survey of international students studying in Australia across all sectors. The international student survey sought information about international students ’e xperiences in Australia with respect to: their choices to study in Australia; their level of satisfaction with their education; pastoral and support services; social integration; and life in general. It also examined the future plans and aspirations of international students.

The paper…

Pang, David

Abstract:
Many universities in western countries attest with eloquence that international students are now an important
learning community in their campuses. In the case of New Zealand, international education is synonymous with
educating Asian students because of the numerical domination of fee-paying students from Asia. Often referred
to as non-traditional, these students bring with them different academic learning styles. Addressing their
learning needs has often been a challenge…

Nicholas Tan, Megan Jager

Abstract only: Trends indicate that increasing numbers of International students are applying for Permanent Residency in Australia after their studies. International student leaders are endowed with academic knowledge, and the skills and experience of having worked in an International student environment.

In 2003, when one of its student advisers left, Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) International Student Support Team realised it needed to fill the void quickly. Believing…

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…

Pasfield, A., Taylor, K., Harris, T.

Abstract: Recognising the numerous benefits of an overseas study experience, the Australian Government encourages young Australians to immerse themselves in social and academic cultures of other countries by undertaking an international study experience.
Outbound student mobility can: help address skill shortages through improved global skills and knowledge; ensure that
Australia keeps pace with global industry trends and competitiveness; and help to build human capital and capacity…

Helen Kalaboukas, Katherine Yannakis, Liza Ng, Michele Kemm, Taeko Sakurai, Theresa Savage

Abstract: Swinburne Integration and Internationalisation Program (IIP) was a joint project between Student Services, the International Student Unit and the Japanese Department. The need for greater internationalization and integration was identified by the Counselling Department and a specific program was designed to address this need.

The aims of the IIP were to decrease isolation and segregation, increase cultural awareness; and enhance intercultural interaction…

Kay McNamara, Izabela Skorka

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to share the practical ways in which teachers at Kelvin Grove State College (Qld) have attempted to improve contact between international and local students using the award winning Teaching Emphases for English Proficiency Levels (TEEPL) http://www.kelvingrovesc.eq.edu.au/asp/teepl/teepl_cover.asp (presented at ISANA conference 2005).

TEEPL is a comprehensive database of suggestions to support students both academically and socially…

Mary Ann Seow

Abstract: The role of the international student adviser was once largely confined to orientation activities, the odd critical incident and welfare and counselling during the student’s stay in Australia. Progressively over the years, the role has changed. Federal government legislation, increasing competition amongst universities for the international student market and increasing numbers which have in some part being influenced by the incentives in the Migration Act have…

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…

Diana Collett

Abstract: Increasing global migration and interconnectedness presents us with the challenge of finding ways to incorporate diversity and its inherent potential for change. The higher education field exemplifies these global trends as international students from a variety of cultural backgrounds choose to study overseas. One of their important motives in doing so is the opportunity to gain intercultural experiences. Yet consistently they report dissatisfaction with the nature and frequency of their interactions with…

Chris Beard

Abstract: The provision of quality advice to new international students has become increasingly important in
Australian and New Zealand universities. It is generally accepted that orientations help
internationals adjust to life and study in a foreign culture. Students who receive clear and relevant
advice on matters such as health services, insurance and personal safety are more likely to be
mentally equipped for the early stages of their sojourn than…

Jirayu Chotimongkol and Deborah Jones

Abstract : Student clubs available at the universities are an obvious site for students, especially Asian international students
to learn and develop leadership skills through real life experience. However, it is still uncertain how Asian
international students learn and develop the skills through participating in the clubs.
This paper describes a qualitative study which explored a perception of Asian international students on club
participation and how…

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…

Cathy Saenger

Abstract: Being a mentor to International Students in the Faculty of Business and Computing at a polytechnic in New Zealand, the author has experienced the trials and tribulations of International Students first hand. They begin fresh faced with many expectations, but very soon find that things are not as easy as expected. Some graduates have indicated that they have found it nearly impossible to find jobs and that they are not…

Chika Anyanwu

Abstract:  The Federal Government funding cuts since the 1990s have forced many (if not all) Australian universities to find alternative means to subsidise such shortfalls, one of these being increased international enrolment. One of the consequences of this new economic direction is the influx of international students with new kinds of expectations and overwhlmed academic and administrative staff who have not fully appreciated or undertood the full import of such dramatic academic cultural…

Shannon Weiley, Helen Bryce and Jason Sommers

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…

Anne Suryani

Abstract: Previous studies suggest that young people are the majority of internet users. Most research has focused on what people do on the internet, but has not considered how the use of internet relates to other aspects of their lives. This paper examines how the Indonesian students take up with the new media and use the internet in relation to their academic studies. A mixed method approach is applied in this study, using…

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…