To: The international Students

Dear international students,

I came to Australia as an international student in 1996 to study at one of the prestigious hospitality management schools. It was a tough journey because I did not know much about the Australian Education System. I do not want any of you to go through the same or similar tough experiences; therefore, I decided to write this short article for you.

In many Asian countries, the classroom is a one-way flow of information, the lecturer is considered as a master, and students are expected to listen and copy notes without allowing questioning and speaking. Memorisation and repetition are valued. The lecturers expect students to be familiar with a single textbook.

 In Australia, the classroom is a two-way flow of information. The lecturer engages with students in dialogue and expects them to volunteer to answer, and asks for clarification if do not understand. The teachers expect students to read a wide range of reference materials to compare and critically evaluate several sources.

The lecturers become frustrated when international students did not answer when the general question is asked in class. The lecturers complained that they do not speak up when they do not understand, and they do not participate in any class activities. blab blab. It is not true they do not understand, the international students are afraid of embarrassing themselves in class and they think that it is wise to remain silent rather than answering the questions, which they are not familiar. The international students come from face status-oriented society.

 The lecturers are in an interactive style where students are active participants who take responsibility for their knowledge. The students will sit in silence and take notes while the lecturer speaks. Interrupting the lecturer to ask for Aa clarification is considered very disrespectful in their culture and countries. In Asian countries, the lower status is expected to show unquestioning obedience and respect to those of higher status. In Australian culture, people are treated as equal regardless of status. International students, you are allowed to ask a question in class, it is not considered as disrespectful.

Today, incredible technology makes you easily accessible to knowledge; however, do not make yourself overloaded with information. You will suffer an overdose of knowledge, in other words, you will become knowledge junkies, instead of true learners.

Here are the helping steps to become true learners.

1.      Take notes

Three hours after a class, pure listeners will remember only about 50% of what you had just heard. Twenty-four hours later, your will have forgotten 50 percent of that. Moreover, at the end of the month, you will remember less than 5% of what you had learned in class.

2.      Re-read the notes

Re-read the notes within twenty-four hours and summarise the key insights.

3.      Pass the knowledge on.

The best way of learning is teaching.

4.       Keep an open mind.

Get used to all the newness and learn new things. Without a positive, open attitude, particularly toward learning, you will never achieve anything; instead, you might end up becoming knowledge junkies.

I wish you all the best! Never give up keep on learning and read regularly to upgrade your knowledge, and you soon develop the winning edge that gives you an advantage over less informed people.

With Regards,

Dr Philip Maw