ISANA

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…

Jocelyn Wolfe

Abstract : Writing about music is fundamental to the study of music in a university. This may not be surprising to most people familiar with study in tertiary institutions in Australia. However, many aspiring young musicians coming from overseas to study music in Australia are not prepared for this aspect of their music education. Their lack of preparedness is, first, in understanding what the academic requirements are…

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…

Mark Dougherty, Yella Siril

Abstract:  In 2001 Högskolan Dalarna launched a masters programme in computer science. This programme has attracted a large number of applications from international students. This has yielded many exciting opportunities, but also given rise to some problems, both practical and academic. A key element of the success in solving some of these problems has been to make the programme highly modular in structure, allowing two intakes per year. This has been…

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…

Clare Rhoden & Kathryn Boin

Abstract: I’ve settled in, but it’s a hard question because there are no methods, it’s just like an ongoing thing. It’s just like a transition thing – you can’t say ‘If you do this, it will make it better’ because it is based on the individual.*

International students, who choose to pursue study in a foreign university, are among the highest-achieving candidates in most institutions. Nevertheless they experience a number…

Maria Victoria McCarthy

Abstract: Learning and practising basic skills in aromatherapy and gentle yoga stretches proved to be a promising venue for both International and Domestic Australians Students to get together in a safe and positive environment. Within International Student Services at QUT, this activity is usually offered from the third week of each semester. It is a one hour program for four weeks where participants gather in a circle and are welcomed to express…

Lynda Lawson

Abstract: Designed and implemented as a joint project between International student services and the Research Students Centre and overseen by the Dean of Graduate Studies, RIS offers a series of intensive classes, presentations and workshops to new international research students at QUT. The core purpose of this program is to help international research students become familiar with the linguistic and academic expectations as well as the cultural conventions required to…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Diana Collett

Abstract: International students invest large sums of money when choosing to study in English speaking Universities. They are hoping for opportunities to immerse themselves in English language and Western style culture. Local students attending the same university have completely different expectations. Frequently a cultural divide occurs between the two groups typified by awkward silences, unmet expectations and stereotyping. This widely documented phenomenon has inspired Academic staff to devise clever strategies as desperate attempts…

Dr.V.K.Varughese

Abstract:  This research study investigated approaches by international students from vastly
different educational, cultural and linguistic backgrounds to learning and their academic
performance in Foundation Studies (FS) at RMIT University. This paper explores the
effect of the interactions between various demographic variables and learning traits on
students’ performance under Traditional method of Teaching and Learning (TTL) and
Problem Based method of Learning (PBL). Most universities around the world run Read more...

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…

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…

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…

Debra Langton

Abstract: Two years ago, under the duress of exponential growth in all areas, Macquarie International undertook a significant restructure. The redesign was driven by volume, resourcing issues (both financial and human), relationship management, marketing considerations and professional development opportunities for all staff. One of the major outcomes of the restructure was the creation of Macquarie Abroad, a specialised unit for all of Macquarie’s short term eg study abroad and exchange initiatives. In light…

Beatrice Merrick

Abstract: In 2006, Tony Blair launched the second phase of his Prime Minister’s Initiative for International Education, aiming to increase and diversify inward mobility to the UK, to build partnerships at institutional and national level with key target countries and to improve the quality of the international student experience. This paper will look at how a range of UK partners are working to deliver…

Mr Ian Egan

Abstract: For many International Students, “Seeing Australia” is a top priority alongside their academic ventures. Swinburne University recognised this need and over the past 7 years, have developed a comprehensive International Student Activities program. Activities take the form of course-based day trips through to organised programs that run over the whole semester. In this paper we will draw on the experiences of the Swinburne Activities Model and cover such topics as: the…