ISANA

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 2006 a community working group was formed comprising staff and
students from different sectors at the University of Wollongong; representatives from
Wollongong City Council; the local business chamber; local businesses, Illawarra
Ethnic Communities Council and Illawarra TAFE. The Welcome to Wollongong
(W2W) Community Group worked together to put in place a community website for
international students and also to co-ordinate a civic reception and mini festival to
welcome new international students to Wollongong. This was held in February 2008
and was funded by an IMB community foundation grant. This paper provides an
evaluation of this project and discusses a new type of framework that the authors
believe should underpin the international student experience. This framework
proposes a wellness and security paradigm in managing international student
mobility.

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