Cultural misunderstanding Most overseas students at UWA experience a significant change of cultural environment when they arrive. Some students are unable to talkback and defend a position against their teacher or group colleagues. Explicit information about what is expected academically, reinforced by regular, good-quality feedback is very important. Although teaching staff may tell them that they are expected to question, to use their own words and to consider more than one side of an issue, some students are at first either unsure of what this means or not immediately convinced that this is really what is wanted. Students benefit from being asked about their backgrounds and the differences that they experience, being asked what would assist them and having this acted on.
Students benefit from a variety of opportunities to interact with other students.
Strategies to do this could include mentor schemes, Group projects in and out of class time, organisation of multiculturally aware student social functions. It is worth reminding ourselves every so often of the terror and anxiety many of us faced as young undergraduates starting university. Then add a difference of language, a difference of colour or a difference of cultural experience to that terror. First year on campus - diversity in the initial experiences of Australian undergraduates.