Overseas students in Australia
Many from South Asia and South East Asia flock to Australian Universities with an intention to obtain an Australian qualification. Some do it for gaining an advanced standing while others do it to polish up their prior degrees in engineering, computer applications, social sciences, social work, human services, management, nursing, bio technology or pure sciences.
We need them in Australia as much as they need us. Studies have shown that International students will experience a transition period when beginning their study in Australia. It has been observed that there are various challenges facing them and institutional support is an important factor in successful transition to study and living in a new country. It is the host educational institution that has not only the responsibility but also the incentive to provide effective supports for this cohort.
More recently the ABC four corners maintained that the Australian Universities are making billions out of foreign students.
https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/cash-cows/11084858
I taught and tutored at five Universities in Australia and observed that we haven’t served a decisively decent deal to the overseas students. Institutions need to understand that International students may present with different help seeking behaviors due to cultural differences and personal beliefs. If services are to meet the international student’s needs then further investigation is required as to how institutions can respond to develop support services.
One of the main issues that can impact many areas of a student’s daily life and contribute to poor transitioning is mental health problems. It has been identified that there is an increase in mental health problems for young people in Australia with a greater prevalence in students at university and in particular international students
I have observed that despite international students reporting having issues with transitioning to studying in Australia many do not utilise the support systems that are currently available in Australian universities Research tells us that many students especially those from Asian cultures are less inclined to seek help and will use maladaptive coping strategies. – Repression, avoidance, or other passive coping strategies.
We are aware that students require prerequisite skills, support structures, role models and cultural capital in order to succeed when studying. many of these students form Asia are granted admission without academic skills resources. Besides we must equally understand that they have to navigate new life style and living skills in a new country. This lack of skills and resources leaves with them a poorer experience when transitioning to academic study in a new country, what follows is just a few of the main examples:
- Leaving home and loss of social support network
- Adjusting to culture of host country
- Language barriers
- Racial discrimination
- Accommodation difficulties
- Loneliness
- Isolation
- Cultural misunderstanding
- Financial difficulties
- High expectations to succeed – parental or financial outlay
At Impetus Global we have launched a new service to augment the existing services within Australian Universities. Our diversity consultants will work with teaching staff, and students services and students in establishing a service that will develop a win win situation.
Call or write to me for a consultation meeting with your senior management staff in international division and people that work in marketing , student services as a first opportunity for a diagnostic meeting to hear your narratives and your genuine needs to remedy our situation.
Dr Venkat Pulla
impetus@impetuglobal.com
