"Settling In": Postgraduate Research Student Experiences; An International Perspective

Autor/inn/en	Steinmetz, Christine; Mussi, Eveline
Institution	Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)
Titel	"Settling In": Postgraduate Research Student Experiences; An International Perspective
Quelle	(2012), (11 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
ISSN	1324-9320
Schlagwörter	Foreign Students; Graduate Students; Student Adjustment; Student Experience; Interviews; Focus Groups; Faculty Advisers; Expectation; Cultural Differences; Employment Opportunities; Peer Relationship; Teacher Student Relationship; Foreign Countries; Australia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Graduate Study; Student; Students; Aufbaustudium; Graduiertenstudium; Hauptstudium; Studentin; Adjustment; Schüler; Schülerin; Adaptation; Studienerfahrung; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Expectancy; Erwartung; Kultureller Unterschied; Berufschance; Beschäftigungschance; Peer-Beziehungen; Teacher student relationships; Lehrer-Schüler-Beziehung; Ausland; Australien
Abstract	International student cohorts continue to be increasingly vital to higher education institutions in Australia; currently, they account for 20 percent of enrolments. However, there is concern that over the past few years, enrolment numbers have been dropping. Reasons for this decrease may vary from: tuition fee increases, new overseas universities adding to competition, the global financial crisis, student preferences toward US and UK universities, or perceived lack of Australian scholarship support for international students. At a time when uncertainty in financial markets loom, it is crucial that recruitment, retention, and overall experience, of international student's remain a focus in a university's strategic intent Studies on international students highlight that "adjustment" is crucial to a student's positive educational experience abroad. Cross-cultural differences and English language barriers are main factors in adjustment--influencing well-being and academic achievement. Although literature on international students is extensive, studies of international postgraduate research students is limited. Problems experienced by this cohort are heightened due to the somewhat isolated nature of research programs. The focus of this paper is on international postgraduate research students and factors that contribute to how they adjust or "settle in", to their research student candidature. The research involved in-depth interviews and focus groups with a cohort of postgraduate research students in a Group of Eight, research-intensive university in Sydney, Australia. The findings revealed that students had problems with: selection of supervisors, work opportunities within the faculty, knowing what is expected of them and lack of sense of belonging as means of connecting with a broader community of peers and academics. As faculties become aware of international research student challenges, even prior to enrolment, they can provide targeted support in order to contribute to and optimize the educational experience abroad. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Australian Association for Research in Education. AARE Secretariat, One Geils Court, Deakin ACT 2600, Australia. Tel: +61-2-6285-8388; e-mail: aare@aare.edu.au; Web site: http://www1.aare.edu.au
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10