Social connectedness among international students at an Australian university

• Published in: Social indicators research Vol. 84; no. 1; pp. 71 - 82
• Main Authors: Rosenthal, Doreen Anne, Russell, Jean, Thomson, Garry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.10.2007; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Acculturation; Adaptation; Adjustment; Australia; Beliefs; College students; Colleges & universities; Communication Skills; Compulsory Education; Coping; Cultural Background; Cultural contact; Cultural differences; Cultural identity; Cultural Pluralism; Culture; Family relations; Females; Foreign Countries; Foreign Students; Gender; Group membership; Higher education; Homes; Individual Characteristics; International students; Interpersonal Competence; Interpersonal Relationship; Learning; Multiculturalism; Perceptions; Physical Health; Questionnaires; School campuses; Self esteem; Social adjustment; Social connectedness; Social Integration; Social interaction; Social isolation; Social life; Social networks; Social research; Social support groups; Sociology; Sociology of education. Educational systems. Lifelong education; Student support services; Student surveys; Students; Studies; Study abroad; Surveys; Teaching Methods; Undergraduate Students; United States of America; Universities; University students; USA; Well Being; Wellbeing; Australia; Social link; Cultural difference; Foreigner; Well-being; Social crossing; Student
• ISSN: 0303-8300; 1573-0921
• DOI: 10.1007/s11205-006-9075-1

A representative sample of undergraduate and postgraduate international students at a large Australian university (n = 979, 64% females) completed a mail-back survey examining their perceptions of social connectedness. Four aspects of social connectedness were investigated: (1) connectedness in Melbourne, (2) social mixing and interaction with co-culturals and Australians, (3) involvement in organisations, associations and groups, and (4) connections to home and family. The majority of students report being well-connected to others in Melbourne, although some desire increased personal support from people who know and care about them. Connectedness in Melbourne is related to students-cultural background and communication skills in the new culture and their evaluation of their perceived academic progress. Students from Asian countries reveal different patterns to other students, especially in the relationships between connectedness and interactions with co-culturals. Awareness of these and other differences among international students from varying cultural backgrounds can help target assistance in achieving a sense of well-being.