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…

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…

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…

Heather Bigelow, Mary Kerstjens

Abstract: At the ISANA Victorian Branch State Conference in October, 2005, Heather and Mary, together with our esteemed colleague, Lila Kemlo, presented our ‘students at risk’ project, designed to identify and provide an holistic, integrated program to enable Business Portfolio students to gain essential skills for academic and social success. A major feature of this program was the collaboration between members of academic staff of the Business Portfolio, the Learning Skills…

Cheryl Cook, Julie Murray and Dr Stuart Levy

Abstract: The challenges of engaging with a university environment are encountered on at least three levels – academic, personal and cultural. Not all of these challenges are stated, visible, easily recognised or even acknowledged. As a consequence, difficulties often arise for individuals to successfully navigate their way through the uncharted waters of academia. Studies and professional experience, have shown that students repeatedly encounter common traps, difficulties and…

Jodie Caruana

Abstract: The University of New South Wales initiated a weekend ‘Orientation Getaway’ for international students in 2005. The program was coordinated by International Student Services (ISS) and facilitated with the help of ISS Peer Mentors. The program aimed to enhance both the group and individual needs of students during their critical transition phase.

At the group level the ‘Orientation Getaway’ developed a sense of belonging and built support networks within the international community…

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…

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…

Bobbie Matthews

Abstract:  A longitudinal study was undertaken to investigate whether CHC students’ approaches to learning were retained or modified in a Western social, cultural, and educational environment. A bilingual version (Chinese and English) of the Study Process Questionnaire (Biggs, 1987) (SPQ) was used to measure sojourner students’ approaches to learning on five occasions over two years in Australia. A two-level analysis was undertaken at the intra and inter student levels to see…

Kathy Racunica

Abstract: In the competitive employment market employers are looking for talent well beyond the direct skill and knowledge a graduate can bring to the role. At Monash University developing a broad and positive student experience is a commitment shared across its community and activity is reported through a committee structure directly to the vice chancellor. Case studies will be shared within this paper demonstrating the collaborative work to broaden students’ experience, and the…

Dianne Jonasson

Abstract:  When International students from non-English speaking backgrounds (INESB students) choose to study in an Australian university, they come, like any student, with hopes, expectations, and understandings. Their teachers also have hopes, expectations, and understandings regarding these students. In fact, it appears that students and teachers are generally hoping for the same things, namely, that students will pass their subjects, understand the concepts, and improve their English. However, while both parties appear to…

Anita Perkins

Abstract:  The main aim of this paper is to investigate the ways in which language is used in the
discursive construction of national identities. Specifically, the object of analysis is interview
data in which six international students from Germany and Japan enact their early study
abroad experiences to a young (mid-twenties) New Zealand researcher. It has been found that
the students often construct their experience in terms of perceived…

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…

Lynda Lawson

Abstract:  This paper will consider the experience of two Australian exchange students at the Grenoble Ecole de Management ( GEM) through a short film that I made about them while I was on staff development leave at this institution during the first 3 months of 2005. I will show the film, discuss how the film was made and then discuss some of the themes it raises in terms of the value that such…

Karyn Gonano and Karen Nelson

Abstract: This program developed and trialled structured sustainable program to enhance NESB student experiences in their first year at QUT. The project focused on improving access and participation in learning activities in order to increase the success rate for NESB students on a unit requiring teamwork. That is, by addressing communication carriers, providing practical strategies and raising awareness of the broader social ssues, this program aimed to increase the awareness…

Takako Kishimoto and Susan Sandretto

Abstract:

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Anne Ellerup Nielsen, Peter Kastberg, Ph.d.

Abstract:  Recent years have seen a gradual burring of boundaries between core academic disciplines such as linguistics, economics, politics, sociology, etc. There are many factors which have contributed to this change, for example our global economy where networking, transparency, learning, and knowledge management seem to be the key to capital, consumers, the press, etc. Such developments point towards increasingly interdisciplinary knowledge. Some universities have reacted to this demand for…

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…

Paula Dunstan

Abstract:  The substance of this paper was delivered at the 2007 Australian International Education Conference in Melbourne, and presented as a stimulus for discussion about practical approaches to the issues of international student support management. This later version contains additional material that reflects the discussion and panel presentations at the AIEC session.

The impetus for this presentation remains the responses of providers to Standard 6 of…

Jill Clark, Trish Baker, Mingsheng Li

Abstract: International research is positive about the educational benefits of working in diverse groups but there has been little New Zealand research in this area. This paper investigates how students are prepared for collaborative learning in three New Zealand tertiary institutes and identifies the particular problems experienced by Chinese students when the preparation in multi cultural classes is not carried out adequately…