Eleventh International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

This research project is a collaboration between the student counsellor and the post-graduate coordinator at The Hotel School-Southern Cross University campus in Melbourne (Australia). In our many discussions about international student academic progress, we began to reframe our understanding of their academic experience as a concerning mental health and wellbeing issue. The literature pertaining to international students demonstrates that mental health is connected with many aspects of their lives, especially regarding their learning environment. Acculturation theory is used to better understand international students’ adaptation to their new learning environment. Action research is used as a methodological approach to explore students’ transition and the impacts on their mental health and wellbeing. The aim of this study is to understand the barriers to adaptation, and to engage with international student to recommend strategies to be implemented at The Hotel School-Southern Cross University campus in Melbourne. It is at the early stage of adaption that the new student is most at risk of losing confidence, giving up, and perhaps deciding to withdraw. Findings from this research study will provide important information about the level of acculturative stress experienced by newly enrolled international students. It is also a time of opportunity for the educational establishment they are entering to be innovative in designing support structures, thought developing and implementing strategies and actions to facilitate students’ adaptation to the Australian tertiary education system. By monitoring the actions implemented, the expected outcome would be the development of a best practice portfolio of activities.