Challenges and Opportunities for International Students in Australia

This research proposal examines the experiences of international students in Australia, focusing on the challenges they face and the opportunities available to them. The proposal begins with an introduction highlighting Australia's appeal to international students and acknowledges the existing difficulties. The project objective is to identify these challenges and suggest mitigation strategies, as well as to outline the benefits of studying in Australia. The scope includes a focus on language barriers, cultural differences, and the education system, as well as opportunities such as scholarships, cross-cultural learning, and employment. The literature review delves into these challenges and opportunities, citing relevant studies. The research questions and hypothesis are presented, followed by the proposed research design and methodology, which will involve qualitative research and a non-probability sampling technique. The proposal also addresses research limitations and includes a time schedule for the project's completion. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and emphasizes the importance of understanding the international student experience. A bibliography of cited sources is included.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research Proposal
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................2
2. Project Objective....................................................................................................................2
3. Project Scope..........................................................................................................................2
4. Literature Review...................................................................................................................3
4.1 Challenges........................................................................................................................3
4.1.1 Language.......................................................................................................................3
4.1.2 Gambling.......................................................................................................................3
4.1.3 Education system...........................................................................................................4
4.2 Opportunities....................................................................................................................4
4.2.1 Scholarship....................................................................................................................4
4.2.2 Cross-cultural learning..................................................................................................5
4.2.3 Employment opportunities............................................................................................5
4.2.4 Skilled migrants.............................................................................................................6
5. Research Questions/Hypothesis.............................................................................................6
6. Research Design and Methodology.......................................................................................7
7. Research Limitations..............................................................................................................7
8. Time Schedule........................................................................................................................7
9. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................8
Bibliography...............................................................................................................................9

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1. Introduction
Australia attracts students from all over the globe due to the rich tradition of education
provided by the country. Apart from the quality of education, the richness of culture,
infrastructure and the leniency of the Government makes the country as one of the most
cherished destinations in the world. Many international students come to Australia to fulfil
their dreams (Gribble 2014). However, despite the vast opportunities that are provided to the
students in terms of education and job satisfaction, challenges and struggles also exist.
Challenges may exist in the form of language, culture, environment and a feeling of being
isolated. The proposal will focus on the challenges and opportunities that exist for students
studying in Australia.
2. Project Objective
The objective of the project will be to identify the challenges that students studying in
Australia can face. The proposal will provide details about the challenges faced by the people
and the ways to mitigate the challenges. At the same time, the opportunities that may be
obtained after studying in Australia will also be provided.
3. Project Scope
The proposal will focus on the difficulties that students in Australia may face. The
international students due to a difference in culture, language and the environment mainly
face these challenges. Similarly, students studying in Australia can gain the possibilities of
getting a job and proper education. This is mainly due to the exposure to the cross-cultural
learning that takes place and the cross-cultures that exists at the workplace.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
4. Literature Review
4.1 Challenges
4.1.1 Language
Language is one of the most formidable challenges that people residing in Australia
face. People from various countries migrate in the country in order to seek education and get
a good job. The change in language makes it difficult for the people to communicate with one
another and express their thoughts. As stated by Erlenawati (2005) communication plays an
important role in the educational institutions. Students need to understand the things that are
taught to them in order to gain success in education. The difference in language also poses a
sense of discrimination between the students. It is often seen that the local students find it
difficult to accept the students belonging to other backgrounds. This can also be said for the
foreign students as well since they find it difficult to accept the changed environment.
4.1.2 Gambling
It is has been seen that most students studying in Australia are vulnerable to
gambling. The Australian Gambling Research Centre provides evidence about the
vulnerability and risk that exists among the Australian students. This habit is seen among
students with the ability to speak English. Gambling is considered as an entertainment and as
a means of testing the luck of the people. The Government of Australia has played a huge
role in encouraging gambling in the country (Australia.gov.au. 2017). Gambling often leads
to undesirable results and the international students may face huge problems after being
involved in gambling. Financial problems may be faced by the students if they fail to benefit
from gambling.

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4.1.3 Education system
According to Biggs (2001), Australia is one of the famous destinations for students
seeking education. This is mainly because of the reputed international schools in the country
that provide opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate program. Hence, every year
the number of students enrolled in the universities increases. However, it has been seen that
certain gap exists between the expectations of the students along with the real scenario of the
education system. The cultural and language factors pose a negative effect on the people
pursuing the academic courses. Apart from this, the difference in teaching method also plays
a huge challenge.
4.2 Opportunities
4.2.1 Scholarship
It has been seen that the Australian Government offers international scholarship
opportunities to students studying in the country. The scholarship is provided to students
residing outside Australia to study in the country as well. This provides an opportunity for
growth in a career as Australia is reputed to provide quality education (Gomes et al. 2014).
The professional development of the students is considered so that they can be global leaders
in the years to come. It has been seen that students from Asia, Middle East and Africa are
awarded such scholarships on an annual basis.
4.2.2 Cross-cultural learning
One of the most important forms of learning that are provided in a foreign country is
the diversity of the learning environment (Gribble 2014). Cross-cultural learning is important
as people from different background and cultures work unitedly in an organisation. The
diversity of the workplace forces educational institutions to impart cross-cultural education in
the institute. In the educational institution of Australia, such cross-cultural lessons are

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
provided to help in dealing with the current workplace situations. It has also been seen that
most universities help students to adjust to the change in culture by providing classes on these
cultures. This helps the students to understand the various cultures that exist in the world and
the ways to blend in with them.
4.2.3 Employment opportunities
In the modern world, getting a good job is an aim for many people. This is because
with the change in lifestyle of the people it is necessary to have a good job for support. Thus,
working in international companies or studying in internationally renowned universities
provides an opportunity to prosper in life. Ji and Guillen (2010) stated that having work
experience from foreign countries provides an additional advantage for people seeking jobs in
other institutions. Such experience proves to be an asset in a resume and opens up great
career prospects. Having a degree from foreign universities and work experience from
foreign companies can help in gaining employment.
4.2.4 Skilled migrants
It has been seen that most students prefer to settle in Australia after completing the
studies. Despite the differences in the cultures and other challenges, the prospect of a
successful career helps in this decision. These students settle as skilled workers and lead their
lives as a citizen of the country (Moore 2013). After being graduates students can apply for
such works in order to gain a work visa for a longer stay at the country. Such decisions are
instigated because of the fact that Australia provides ample opportunities, job security and a
high standard of life.
5. Research Questions/Hypothesis
Based on the analysis of the literature review, research questions and hypothesis can
be provided. The research questions include:

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Primary question: What are the challenges and opportunities faced by students studying in
Australia?
Secondary questions:
1. What are the ways by which the challenges faced by the students can be mitigated?
2. What are the benefits that can be reaped by studying in Australia?
The research hypothesis includes:
H0: International students in Australia face challenges as well as opportunities
H1: International students in Australia does not face any challenges or opportunities
6. Research Design and Methodology
Research design is the overall strategy that is applied for integrating different
components. Research design has certain types that can help in the progress of a research in a
logical manner. It helps in the effective addressing of the research problem. In this regard, it
can be said that the research design can be composed of certain types. These types include
descriptive, experimental, semi-experimental, review and correlation. The descriptive type
includes case study analysis, survey and natural observation. The experimental research
design includes conducting experiments with random assignments available over the internet.
At the same time, correlation design includes observational study and case study control.
Semi-experimental include conducting field experiment that includes live data from
customers. Apart from this, review includes conducting a literature review. In this case, the
research will conduct a literature review analysis along with qualitative research.
The proposal will be conducted by using qualitative research. To conduct a proper
qualitative research it is necessary that the researcher conducts a systematic approach to it.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
This includes deciding upon the research question, formulating a literature review,
considering a sample size and collecting appropriate data. At the same time, primary data
collection method will be used to conduct the research. The reliability and validity of the
information collected will be tested with the evidence provided by the respondents. Hence,
the sampling technique that will be used is the non-probability approach. In this regard, it can
be said that 100 international students will be considered as samples to provide evidence
based on the challenges and opportunities faced by them in Australia. The two variables
considered for the proposal include the challenges and the opportunities as they are both
related directly to one another.
7. Research Limitations
Some of the limitations that cause hindrance to a research include the financial
stability. Collecting data forms for gaining the responses of the people require stability in
finances. Apart from this, collecting such data and analysing them require time. This is
another limitation of the research as the researcher need to conduct the research within a
limited time. The responses provided by the people also may not be accurate as most people
may want to conceal the truth or may not give a proper response to the questions. Hence,
these factors may hinder the quality of the research proposal.
8. Time Schedule
Event Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5
Selecting a
topic
Conducting a
literature

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review
Analysing
sample to be
collected
Drawing
conclusion
Table: Time schedule
(Source: Created by author)
9. Conclusion
It can be concluded that international students in Australia face many challenges that
cause hindrance in the education. However, the challenges faced by them provide them with
an opportunity to be mature in the future and become global leaders. The support policies
provided by the Government of the country help in the development of a proper career of a
student. The proposal will conduct a qualitative analysis in order to analyse the two variables
and its impact on the international students.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Bibliography
Australia.gov.au. 2017. Australian Government. [Online]
Available at: http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/education-and-training/
international-students
Biggs, J., 2001. Teaching International Students. In J. Biggs, Teaching for qaulity learning at
university.what the student does. Buckingham; Open unviversity Press, pp. 121-140.
Erlenawati, S., 2005. Language Difficulties of International Students in Australia: The
Effects of Prior Learning Experience. International Education Journal, 6(5), pp. 567-580.
Gomes, C., Berry, M., Alzougool, B. and Chang, S., 2014. Home away from home:
International students and their identity-based social networks in Australia. Journal of
International Students, 4(1), pp.2-15.
Gribble, C., 2014. Employment, work placements & work integrated learning of international
students in Australia. International Education Association of Australia, Research Digest, 2.
Gribble, C., 2014. Employment, work placements and work integrated learning of
international students in Australia. IEAA International Education Association of Australia.
Ji, D. and Guillen, P., 2010. Trust, discrimination and acculturation Experimental evidence
on Asian international and Australian domestic university students. Federal Reserve Bank of
St Louis.
Moore, S. M., 2013. Problem Gambling Among International and Domestic University
Students in Australia: Who is at Risk?. Journal of Gambling Studies (Online); New York,
29(2), pp. 217-30.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Smith, K., 2014. Exploring flying faculty teaching experiences: motivations, challenges and
opportunities. Studies in Higher Education, 39(1), pp.117-134.
Son, J.B. and Park, S.S., 2014. Academic experiences of international PhD students in
Australian higher education: From an EAP program to a PhD program. International Journal
of Pedagogies & Learning; Maleny, 9(1), pp. 26-37.
Volet, S. and Ang, G., 2012. culturally mixed groups on international campuses: an
opportunity for inter-cultural learning. Higher Education Research & Development, 31(1),
pp. 21-37.
Ziguras, C. and Law, S. F., 2006. Recruiting interntional students as skilled Migrants : the
global 'skills race'as viewed form Australia and malaysia. Globalization, societies and
Education, 4(1).