Questions of social integration, inclusiveness and the impact of education on international students studying in Australia are never far from the headlines...

Story by Dr Chris Keane 

There is widespread evidence that social integration is vital to enhancing student academic performance and reducing the incidence of personal anxiety, dissatisfaction, and alienation among culturally displaced persons.

Alison Owens and Susan Loomes outside the Darwin Conference Centre

Last month Dr Alison Owens, Senior Research Fellow, and Susan Loomes, Director of CQUniversity Sydney International Campus, presented a research paper at the 2009 Tertiary Education Management Conference, Darwin, reporting student evaluation of Sydney campus social integration initiatives.

For instance, using anonymous student survey questionnaires and follow-up focus group interviews with staff and alumni, the authors were able to determine how frequently students participated in various social, cultural and learning support activities and how these activities affected their academic performance.

Analysis of the data showed that international students valued the academic, social and career support services provided by Sydney Campus. In particular, student orientation tours, organised cultural festivals such as Chinese New Year and Indian Independence Day, various sporting and charity events and end-of-term parties all proved popular.

Closer scrutiny of the data collected also found a strong link between student satisfaction and opportunities to informally meet and consult with the on-Campus teaching and specialised support staff.

"Sydney campus adopts an organisation-wide strategy to support student socialisation and social integration," Susan Loomes says. "It begins with student contact with our marketing staff, followed by teaching and services support staff and continues throughout the years of on-Campus study, where a range of social and integration activities occur, culminating in the final graduation ceremony for graduands, family and friends."

The authors argued that the increasing reliance of Australian universities on international students meant that education providers could not afford to neglect student support networks designed to maximise the benefits and success of cross cultural education.

Overall, the study concluded that international students highly value the efforts invested by CQUniversity in social integration activities and believe this support enhances their academic performance and personal well-being.