ISANA

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…

Andres Gabriel Villamizar Maldonado

Abstract: The study reported in this document explores the perceptions and attitudes of international students of Hispanic background on their experience at Monash university and the different factors which influence their involvement in campus-based activities compared to off-campus community based events. The participants are 14 international students who are members of the Monash Hispanic Community Club (registered and unofficial members). They were contacted via the Facebook group Monash Hispanic Community,…

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…

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…

Terry McGrath and Andrew Butcher

Abstract: A research evaluation of Campus-Community Linkages (CCL) that assist the process of community involvement in the pastoral care of international students, with particular reference to Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch. An action research project commissioned by the Ministry of Education and building on previous work undertaken by the authors.

CCL were first identified at each particular site. Consideration was then given as to how they were established. Their efficacy,…

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…

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…

Amanda J Daly and Justine C Brown

Abstract:  Numerous studies have highlighted that the most pronounced differences between international and domestic students are with classroom participation and intercultural relationships. In Ward’s (2003) report for the NewZealand Ministry of Education, she identified a pressing need for research to evaluate intervention strategies. In response, this study investigated the effect of an intervention program entitled Excellence in Experiential Learning and Leadership (ExcelL) Intercultural Skills Program. While the ExcelL…

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…

Sarah Ahern

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…

Davina Potts

Abstract:  There is a long standing perception in university circles that study abroad students have tended to achieve relatively weaker results than other groups of students. This has been attributed to many factors, such as cultural differences and different learning styles, as well as belief in the common expression ‘They’re here for a good time, not a long time! As part of long term study, Macquarie Abroad has been collecting and processing data…

Gillian O’Neill and Grant Harris

Abstract: This paper first outlines a 12 week programme of Ongoing Academic Orientation (OAO) which was trialled in the Waikato Management School (WMS) during the 2004 A and B semesters and then reports the results of a questionnaire survey given to the students who followed the programme in A semester 2004. The questionnaire had three functions: to gather data on the trial programme’s efficacy, content, timing, and length;…

Helen Farrell, Cristina Pastore, Neera Handa, Joanne Dearlove, Ed Spalding

Abstract: Peer mentoring, a collaborative program offered at University of Western Sydney, may enhance the educational outcomes and the first year experience of many first year university students. Learning Advisors, Counsellors and academics work together to train and support peer mentors from various Schools within the University. In training mentors, lecturing and content teaching is kept to a minimum. The group process, that is most…

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…

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…

Julie Hockey and Dr Carolyn McSwiney

Abstract: Concern for newly arrived international students must extend beyond the more obvious group of first year students to include a growing cohort of articulant students arriving in Australia having completed part of their degree in their home countries. This paper describes a dual ‘pre-departure’ and ‘on-arrival’ academic library program developed to meet the differential needs of this cohort in the University of South Australia. It is designed to…

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…

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…

Ali Abusalem

Abstract:  There are approximately 300,000 international students in Australia, overall representing a significant contribution to the Australian economy. So huge, that the Australian government is now accustomed to referring the international students’ market as an ‘export commodity’. When there are new emerging trends of students from certain countries/regions, the influx more often than not equates to the dollar value each student can bring in to the country. This trend is only likely to…

Felicity Fallon

Abstract:  Many factors are involved in the way an individual gains an understanding of Mathematics. Their cognitive style i.e. the way they code information for further processing in the brain is one of these. Riding and Rayner (1998) have a developed a model for the whole learning process which contains two dimensions of cognitive style.

This study investigates the effect of cultural factors on cognitive style, looking particularly at the cultures of South-East…