Why Am I Here?

In general, I applied my study-abroad experience in the past to this journey to Australia. So I tended not to expect much. I decided to keep my eyes and mind open, and learn from what I see. Hence, so far I do not find myself experience any cultural shock or surprise regarding what I have seen here in the host country. However, if I need to pick a learned lesson to be critical about, I would choose to compare and contrast orientation week and the welcoming spirit in my two host countries (America and Australia).

Initially I viewed Australia as a country which is very similar to America. By that I mean, no matter what I do, I'm just a minority (as an international Asian student) who is usually treated slightly differently than the mainstream white local or even foreign students. However, my first impression regarding how I was welcomed during the orientation week at James Cook university compared to my American college showed some interesting differences as well.

In term of the warm welcome during international orientation week, my American college spent approximately 10 days to take the international students around the city and college, with introductions to different departments, assistance in setting up bank accounts, phone SIM cards, etc. Later, when the campus-wide orientation started, we just joined the American students for shared events. Furthermore, that freshman year, I did not receive any warm welcome nor offer of help from my Resident Adviser, and I was too shy to ask for help. Couple of months after orientation week, I still felt lonely in term of networking with friends. Most of the time, I felt nervous to try something new or go somewhere that was unfamiliar on my own. At that time, I blamed no one for such experiences; it is just that I was shy. However, to reflect back critically, international students only received warm assistance at the "entrance" to college, but after that, they kind of had to be on their own. The spirit is that "If your English is good, or if you're confident to make friends, then you will be fine." Those who cannot are more likely to be invisible or even left behind.

Townsville's local people generally treated me like a local.
Photo captured at Rock Pool, North Ward, Townsville.

At the Australian school, they gave us a handbook to attend the campus-wide events during orientation week (called O-week). Then, they spent only one meeting to relay some other information that international students needed regarding banking, phones, vehicle uses. They also talked about Australian norms and pointed out some particular differences between Australian culture and other cultures. Moreover, this semester, as a "fresher", I am grateful that my Resident Adviser is a true friend. He impressed me with his casual tone when he greeted me. It did not feel artificial like the "warm" welcome that I received from some of my American peers, who made me feel like their raised voices when they said "hi" was intended to make me feel welcome. However, such a tone would never be used with their American friends. Later, when I interacted with more "Aussie" residents in my dormitory and town, they all tended to treat me like a local person regardless of whether they knew that I was an international student or not. In other words, I felt more like a guest when I lived in America; and, I have felt more accepted and like a "local" when I lived in Australia (yet, I've been in America for years, and only in Australia for months).

Statistics in 2011 indicated that Sydney, the most populous city of Australia,
has only 40.8% English and Australian ancestors.
This reflects a multicultural demographic aspect of Australia's urban.
(Wikipedia: Demographics of Sydney)

Nevertheless, let me present some rationales for such facts which I also found to be my teaching moment. Firstly, the Australian population in James Cook University (and Queensland) is made up of a larger percentage of immigrants than we find in Meadville, PA, USA. Secondly, multiculturalism is consciously developed by both the Australian government and its citizens. Thirdly, based on its geographical location, Australia potentially has a better interconnection with other Asian countries than America. Fourthly, I am now considered myself "westernized" more than I used to be, and this helps me to "fit in" better in a western culture. All of these reasons could cumulatively explain why I have felt more at home in Australia than when I was in America.

In conclusion, by comparing and contrasting both countries, I created some critical points for thoughts and improvements. Each country has it own geographical, political, historical, and cultural reasons for being the way it is. In my opinion, the American method in assisting international students generally would be more efficient and helpful to first-time students than in the Australian school. However, this sometimes depends on who and where the international students come from. Also, the facts regarding the host-country's  norms (i.e. what to expect and what to not expect) when living abroad is a great follow-up that needs to be discussed throughout a semester to remind and help international students adjust. Therefore, the combination between both entries into college would be a great way to ensure international well-being. Unless, as Zemach-Bersin (2008) claims, "a vast discrepancy between the rhetoric of international education and the reality of what many students like myself experience while abroad," remains.

An international catching-up event at James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
Some international students were having fun with the volleyball activity.

Reference:
Zemach-Bersin, Talya. “American Students Abroad Can't Be 'Global Citizens' American Students Abroad Can't Be 'Global Citizens'.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. Commentary 54.26 (2008): A34.