Experiencing Australia: Arab students’ perspectives and perceptions informing enhancement strategies

Abstract

Students from the Arab world have chosen to study in Australia in rapidly increasing numbers over the past few years but remain understudied from an academic perspective. In contrast with Indian and Chinese students, Arab students generally do not seek to migrate to Australia indicating a student experience that often differs from other student cohorts. This paper presents the findings of in-depth interviews conducted with 30 Arab international students in Australia. It addresses the following four issues: 1) The value that Arab international students attach to Australian norms, systems, institutions, and laws; 2) The aspects of the Australian experience that are embraced by the Arab international students; 3) The aspects of the Australian experience that Arab international students would like and dislike to be adopted by their home country; and 4) The factors that Arab international students perceive to be likely to facilitate and inhibit this diffusion process. This paper also includes a series of recommendations in respect to improving the Arab international student experience.