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The Experiences of International and Domestic Students Studying in an Australian University
Volume Editor:
Eight international and four domestic doctoral students share the story of completing their doctoral journey at an Australian university, as well as their experiences of being part of a large collaborative research group that served as a source of support and motivation on their doctoral journey. They share their dreams, hopes, and frustrations of searching, applying, being rejected and finally accepted as a doctoral candidate. International students share their impressions and experiences of being in a new land with a new language and immersing themselves and their families in a distinctly different culture and society. These are the stories of the challenges they encountered and their struggles and successes.
Contributors are: Elizabeth Allotta, Laura Emily Clark, Maria Ejlertsen, Daeul Jeong, Solange Lima, Huifang Liu, Mohammad Tareque Rahman, Umme Salma, Margaret Schuls, Sara Haghighi Siahgorabi, Lauren Thomasse and Tran Le Nghi Tran.
Contributors are: Elizabeth Allotta, Laura Emily Clark, Maria Ejlertsen, Daeul Jeong, Solange Lima, Huifang Liu, Mohammad Tareque Rahman, Umme Salma, Margaret Schuls, Sara Haghighi Siahgorabi, Lauren Thomasse and Tran Le Nghi Tran.
The Experiences of International and Domestic Students Studying in an Australian University
Volume Editor:
Eight international and four domestic doctoral students share the story of completing their doctoral journey at an Australian university, as well as their experiences of being part of a large collaborative research group that served as a source of support and motivation on their doctoral journey. They share their dreams, hopes, and frustrations of searching, applying, being rejected and finally accepted as a doctoral candidate. International students share their impressions and experiences of being in a new land with a new language and immersing themselves and their families in a distinctly different culture and society. These are the stories of the challenges they encountered and their struggles and successes.
Contributors are: Elizabeth Allotta, Laura Emily Clark, Maria Ejlertsen, Daeul Jeong, Solange Lima, Huifang Liu, Mohammad Tareque Rahman, Umme Salma, Margaret Schuls, Sara Haghighi Siahgorabi, Lauren Thomasse and Tran Le Nghi Tran.
Contributors are: Elizabeth Allotta, Laura Emily Clark, Maria Ejlertsen, Daeul Jeong, Solange Lima, Huifang Liu, Mohammad Tareque Rahman, Umme Salma, Margaret Schuls, Sara Haghighi Siahgorabi, Lauren Thomasse and Tran Le Nghi Tran.
Author:
Abstract
I travelled my doctoral journey as a part-time student while working full-time as a high school teacher. I started the journey to find answers to the questions I had, but the experience has been more than I had expected, shifting my perspectives of research and who I am and what I believe. While my research study was based on what I valued and an inherent desire to contribute to the teaching profession, facing the challenges I encountered along the way meant facing aspects of myself and tapping into a deepening inner strength. The greatest challenge I experienced was exploring research methodologies and approaches to share the stories of lived experience which I had collected. Writing as method became an intrinsic part of my journey and I found myself challenged to depart radically in academic writing (DRAW), finding a new space to research and write, finding my voice and telling my story as well as those of my teaching colleagues.
My doctoral journey has been characterised by change—changing supervisors, changing schools, changing methodologies, and changing personal beliefs, values, and worldview. The journey has disrupted my understanding of research and academic writing. It has been a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, highs and lows, but ultimately it has been the most rewarding journey I have embarked upon. For those considering, starting out, or questioning the doctoral journey, I encourage you to give it a go, hang in there, explore options and different ways of approaching research, and discover those hidden, unknown aspects of yourself.
Author:
Abstract
At one time, most of the storytellers in this volume have been members of a higher degree by research (HDR, doctoral) group enrolled in one of the schools within the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Faculty at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. They met with a shared interest in exploring their doctoral journey experiences, with a particular focus on what drives and sustains doctoral students on their journey. The initial aim of the group was to explore the aspirations, expectations, motivators, and challenges experienced by doctoral students with a particular focus on those issues experienced by international students. Having both domestic and international doctoral students in the group allowed different experiences to be compared, as well as develop social contacts and networks in different schools. Members formed a multicultural group which developed cultural awareness and understanding of different ways of seeing and doing. Our differences would influence and also impact on our interactions with each other and the group’s progress. Differences were resolved through creating an environment that supported and encouraged members to openly contribute to group discussions and share different perspectives, enriching our individual learning experiences.
Over a four-year period, the group evolved to become something more than initially intended or expected. With time, members completed their doctoral studies and moved into new positions, some moving away to other states and overseas. Today, eight storytellers remain as active members. This chapter is their story of being a member of a large research group, later named UCNIS (University Collaborative Network of Interdisciplinary Studies). They share the challenges and shifts encountered in being part of a large research group. Their story highlights the importance of respectful and open dialogue and collegiality in order to effectively work together as a large collaborative group, as well as being willing to support each other. With time, strong friendships developed that still exist today.
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