ISANA VicTas | Sept 19 | Online

Cross Cultural Communication – Intercultural Impacts of Communication with International Students

Presenter: Professor Shanton Chang

An introductory session for staff new to supporting international students.

  • Date: Monday, 19 September
  • Time: 4pm – 5pm (AEST)
  • Online: via Zoom
  • Cost: ISANA Members Free | Non members $50

International and domestic students come from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Understandably, the way they are used to communicating also varies depending on their diverse experience. This introductory session highlights some cultural differences in terms of values, expectations and communication styles. It seeks to break down stereotypes while still providing a range of understanding around why students might have different approaches. This session will explore how students’ values and expectations might need to be taken into consideration to improve effectiveness and relationship building.

Prof Shanton Chang is a life member of ISANA, and recipient of the IEAA Distinguished Contribution Award in 2021. He had also received the IDP Excellent Contribution to Australian International Education Sector Award in 2000, as an international student leader in the 1990s.  He is a co-founder of the Victorian Working Group on International Student Employability (VICWise). He is the current Associate Dean (International) at the Faculty of Engineering and IT, The University of Melbourne. His research on the digital experiences of international students has been published at numerous outlets and conferences internationally.

 

 

 

Cross Cultural Communication Session 2 – Cultural Diversity and the Digital Experiences of International Students

Presenter: Professor Shanton Chang

This session is relevant for staff who want to understand digital communication and online behaviours of international students.

  • Date: Monday 12 September
  • Time: 3.30pm – 4.45pm
  • Venue: IGLU, 229 Franklin Street, Melbourne
  • Cost: ISANA Members Free | Non members $100 (includes the Industry Networking with Guest Speaker Fiona Letos)
  • Register for this session HERE.

International students come from diverse backgrounds, culture and digital experiences. These cultural digital experiences are often invisible to staff who work with international students. Yet, the different digital experiences of international students have direct impacts on how they use, access and interact in the digital space. With much of communication moving online, there is a need to explore more fully the diversity of digital experiences of international students. This session will draw on extensive research by Chang and Gomes into the digital journeys of international students, but also provide practical ways of understanding and communicating digitally.

Industry Networking (this event follows and is included in the cost of session 2)

Guest Speaker: Fiona Letos, Director International Education, Study Melbourne

  • Date: Monday 12 September
  • Time: 4.45pm – 7.30pm
  • Venue: IGLU, 229 Franklin Street, Melbourne
  • Drinks and canapés provided

Fiona will share some insights into the Victorian Government’s short and long-term international education recovery and growth plans.