- Home
- Creative & Digital
- Economics
- Education
- Environment & Planning
- Health
- Indigenous
- International
- Justice
- Politics
- Social Policy
RESEARCH AND RESOURCES IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
International students engagement with effective educational practices: a cross national comparison
Read the full text
| International students engagement with effective educational practices: a cross national comparison |
Image: sylvar / Flickr12 April 2010This report finds that International students in USA universities have higher levels of engagement with their institution when compared to international students enrolled in Australasian universities.
International students are learning through their cross-national educational experiences, but clearly they also influence the academic, professional and social contexts in which they move. Recent events in Australia have highlighted that careful management of the international student experience is imperative, both for individual success and for the health of the system as a whole.
Findings from the Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE) provide a new and unique means of tracking international students’ participation in higher education. The AUSSE is the largest cross-institutional collection of data from currently enrolled students in Australasia, and has formative links with the 1,200-institution USA National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).
- Login or register to post comments
- Contact APO
Most viewed: This week
Courses
Europe
Europe
Noticeboard
03 May 2012
08 March 2012
Comments
Please refer to my earlier response today to a related article15, 2010, 1:20 pm "Transport concessions for international students: a position paper" Universities Australia.
I am pleased to see attention being drawn to the position of international students, who make a huge input into the Australian economy and attempt against the odds to integrate themselves into the community, potentially adding to the rich multicultural flavour of our society.
My direct experience in informally supporting many such students at grass roots level has indicated evidence of social isolation, difficulty with integration and perceptions of exclusions. International students need to feel better supported in university and TAFE settings.
There is room for improvements to practical support and some cultural attitudes. Therefore student engagement needs to be enhanced by policy interventions and initiatives that lead to measurable outcomes for enhanced educational experiences and support.
I note from the article above by the ACER that: "Recent events in Australia have highlighted that careful management of the international student experience is imperative, both for individual success and for the health of the system as a whole."
Such evidence is sufficient to enhance enquiry and policy directives that reverse the situation and bring student experience on par with their experiences in other countries. I would like to support any position that is aimed at equalizing the position of these students in society for the duration of their temporary residence here. Issues of parity and equity are paramount, as well as safety in travelling to and from educational institutions, often late at night. Press coverage of violence and discrimination, including towards international students and others speaks for itself.
Australia’s international reputation as a safe and enjoyable place to live and study is at stake without proper protection. I have dealt with this issue in relation to the public transport concession article mentioned above.
Other issues are adequate support for child care that is affordable and does not chew into an already compromised income level especially for those international students who bring their families to Australia during their study periods. These tend to me mature aged students, many on AusAid grants coming from developing countries that are part of the Commonwealth, utilizing a last opportunity to improve their educational and employability prospects.
Regardless of length of stay, all individuals residing in Australia as international students should be afforded similar protections and facilities to permanent residents if they are to maximize their opportunities to be part of the Australian educational system.
Regards
Madeleine Kingston
Individual stakeholder
mkin2711@bigpond.net.au
I refer to my related postings on 15 April “Transport Concessions for International Students” in response to a Universities Australia article; and to the one above by ACER, “International students engagement with effective educational practices: a cross national comparison.”
Following publication of these postings I received direct enquiry from those impacted by the issues raised in these articles.
It was suggested that a survey could be conducted by email with collaborators from International Student Associations from all Universities (and I add TAFE colleges if undergraduate intake continues or is resumed).
One correspondent suggested that such a move would add value to concerns. It is possible that this person may be able to assist withy the survey if undertaken across Papua New Guinea, Indonesian and Pacific Island Student Association
It was stressed that anonymity was important. I am aware from my direct contact with students how difficult it is for them to directly voice their concerns, participating in blogging etc as they feel there will be repercussions if they are identified.
All that is required is for the survey designers to come up with a survey questions which can be circulated on email.
As mentioned elsewhere I have formed personal opinions of many of the gaps which I would be happy to discuss further and perhaps provide anecdotal data if such a scheme eventuates to gather informed data on gaps.
Let me know
Regards
Madeleine Kingston
Individual Stakeholder
mkin2711@bigpond.net.au