Far from home it helps to be 'plugged in'
Published on 29 April, 2010
CQUniversity Sydney's Susan Loomes and Dr Alison Owens are reporting on recent efforts to diversify academic and social support programs across the international campuses. Their research evaluates the success of these initiatives designed to ensure international students can reach their full academic potential.
The duo are adamant that early social integration with the University and the local community is key because many international students will face academic challenges exacerbated by culture shock. This shock can be mitigated by a sense of connectedness with University staff, students and members of the community.
"These activities range from the Learning Skills Unit activities, including English Conversation Corner and campus debates, to sporting, community, workplace, committee and social activities," Susan said.
"Such opportunities for establishing diverse relationships in support of learning are invaluable to international students. They cannot begin to learn without establishing a sense of wellbeing and a ‘place', in their new community. Without support and social networks they may fail to engage effectively in their university study and also fail their courses.
To ensure international students are progressing academically, the University monitors their attendance and pass rates. If they are not passing, they are provided with a personalised support program that aims to improve their sense of social as well as academic integration.
Susan and Alison are also working on an antidote to the traditional intensive Orientation model where students receive what is frequently described as ‘a large amount of paper'; particularly difficult for those students learning in a second language. Recognising that the 'mobile phone generation' can relate to bite-sized chunks, they are preparing DVD chapters with themed advice related to Australian culture and Australian university learning and safety. These chapters are delivered at spaced intervals to students across a full term and will also be useful for pre-departure briefing sessions.
Susan and Alison have expressed their delight in relation to Education Minister Julia Gillard's announcement that each State and territory will soon have taskforces to provide proper support in the event of the closure of colleges with international students. They have both been witness first hand to the fall-out of such closures and have been concerned that not enough is being done to support affected staff and students. They believe this group are extremely high risk and up to this point no immediate support or advice has been available in critical areas such as academic, financial, emotional and career support.