Individual Reflective Journal

This reflective journal discusses the challenges faced by overseas students in Australia and reflects on the process of conducting the research. It also highlights the findings and provides insights on teamwork.

INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
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Introduction
The main purpose of the study was to emphasize the difficulties faced by the overseas
students of Australia. It is very evident that students from various parts of the world choose
Australia for pursuing studies, be it a higher education school or English language schools
(Harmon, 2015). Thus, they have to face several challenges like communication problem,
expectations in accordance with the education, difference in cultural problem, and similar
others. Thus, I understood that this research was divided into two units, the first unit aimed to
initially analyze the aforementioned problem from the opinion of a researcher, as the
researcher had a major role-play in providing opinions in the section of the literature review
and the second unit analyzed the problems associated with the research.
Reflection on topic and problem identification
Based on the formulation of literature review, we first took certain time to identify the topic
for the research problem. After the identification of the relevant topic, a group discussion
about the same was performed where, all the tasks of the group members have been
segregated. Hence, for acquiring proper information about the present topic, a concrete
discussion was done in the literature review chapter through obtaining the data from different
secondary sources like journals, articles, books, and business magazines as well. Hence, these
sources helped us to form an appropriate discussion in relation with the present topic of the
research. Before forming the concrete discussion of literature review portion, certain research
questions was also developed by us. These questions were found to be important to
understand the main problem associated to the topic.
Reflection on process of literature review
Regarding the formulation of literature review chapter, a meeting was conducted by us for all
of the group members to be informed about the topic. All the tasks were divided between us
and 7-week time was decided to collect all the relevant information through the secondary
sources. However, while the discussion of the project was going on, one of our group member
was found to leave the project as, he was not able to understand. This created a problem
between us but we managed to work together. Moreover, information was not round to be
relevant in between due to communication gap and hence, all the members of the group
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decided to use whatsapp for connecting with each other. This helped us to coordinate with
each other and execute the work according to the provided time.
Reflection on methodology
It was also observed from the research that the conduction of it was done in a very precise
manner and with keen observations. It provided all the relevant justifications required for
constructing the philosophy, design and the approach of the research. According to me, the
appropriate questionnaires designed for triggering the effectiveness of the study had a great
impact on the research. According to me, the qualitative and quantitative research process
helped the researchers to portray the most pertinent ideology required for the construction and
conduction of the study. The inclusion of three activity supervisors for interrogation in
relation to the topic, for obtaining qualitative data of certain aspects, paved way for executing
unbiased research.
Distilling the findings of the research
I observed that the data obtained for this particular research was primary data. The
comprehensiveness and concreteness of the questions helped the researchers to gather data
regarding the problem of the concerned research as well as for understanding the challenges
emerged in accordance with the problem. The qualitative and quantitative questionnaires
prepared, effectively helped the researchers to analyze and interpret the data obtained
(Thistlethwaite, et al., 2019). It was very helpful from a reader’s point of view as well. The
need to analyze the positive and negative impact of the questions was also fulfilled in the
research.
The first question clearly bears significance, which is helpful for identifying the challenges
faced by the education system of Australia as per me. This will help the supervisors to take
steps in accordance with the emerging problems as well as will also enable the
implementation of certain strategies for overcoming the issues (Chan, et al., 2017). Several
solutions were also provided in the research, which makes it more informative and helpful.
The second question helps to identify the issues relating to communication differences,
cultural differences and similar other challenges; I think this helps in providing a clear idea of
appropriate ideologies on the concerned topics. The concept of advancement in technologies
does not always impose a positive impact on maximizing the profits of a business (Badwan,
et al., 2017). According to me and other researchers, this concept does not bear proper
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relevance with the topic. Its implementation requires huge investments, which might not be
impossible for many institutions.
The question of implementation of work-integrated learning has been a major realistic issue
of this research as well as for implementation in practical life. This will help in overcoming
the main problem among the majority of overseas students. However, in a way, it will also
lower the effectiveness of the institution as well as harm proper proceedings of business
(Deppeler, et al., 2018).
Writing up the project report
Based on the overall project of the particular topic, the work was divided between all the
members of the group. This provided us a sense of responsibility on our part to collect all the
relevant information according to the topic and this allowed the work to be organized.
Nevertheless, after obtaining the data, a computer of one member was crashed and for
retrieving the collected data some time was required. However, after gathering a proper data,
the project was organized in a systematic manner and was performed in a scientific way.
Reflecting on research experience, insights gained and teamwork
Based on the topic that is, “difficulties confronted by the overseas students within
Australia” certain knowledge has been gathered by us. Some of the issues associated to
adjustment within the setting of universities have been analyzed along with the challenges for
the international students. Hence, the need for integrated learning has also been identified
during the formation of the present research. Our teamwork has proven to be effective for
completion of the project. However, it could have been more efficient and would have been
finished according to the provided time if effective process of communication has been
present within us. Nevertheless, working together provided us the knowledge of a teamwork
that can help us in future projects.
Conclusion
This research clearly portrays the problems faced by the Australian students in the field of
education that might reduce the chances of suitable job opportunities, due to the emergence of
several challenges arising out of the problems faced. The informative nature of the research
makes it very easy for a reader to understand the motive behind the initiation of a research ().
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The graphical representations that were put forth in the research added on to its meticulous
presentation.
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References
Badwan, J.J., Al Shobaki, M.J., Naser, S.S.A. and Amuna, Y.M.A., 2017. Adopting
technology for customer relationship management in higher educational institutions.
International Journal of Engineering and Information Systems (IJEAIS), 1(1), pp.20-28.
Chan, C.K., Fong, E.T., Luk, L.Y. and Ho, R., 2017. A review of literature on challenges in
the development and implementation of generic competencies in higher education curriculum.
International Journal of Educational Development, 57, pp.1-10.
Deppeler, J., Hughes, R. and DeBruin, C., 2018. Enacting inclusive education policy across
and between levels within a decentralized education system in Australia. In European
Conference on Educational Research 2018.
Harmon, G., 2015. Australia as a higher education exporter. International Higher Education,
(42).
Thistlethwaite, J.E., Dunston, R. and Yassine, T., 2019. The times are changing: workforce
planning, new health-care models and the need for interprofessional education in Australia.
Journal of interprofessional care, pp.1-8.
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